Back in April I decided to submit a few sketches to Jewelry Artist for their column “Your Turn” in which they ask the readers to send in sketches of jewelry ideas based on a theme that they chose. As I was thumbing through the July edition of Jewelry Artist I noticed that they chose my design as one of the sketches to publish on the Your Turn page! I was so thrilled that they actually chose my sketch now I am motivated to go ahead and make it to see how it turns out! For those of you who subscribe, check out the July 09 edition of Jewelry Artist on the :your Turn” page to see my sketch in the middle of the page.

We entered a contest at Startup Nation for2009 Leading Moms in Business Competition and now we need your votes! Please visit our profile over at Startup Nation by clicking here and pressing the VOTE button. You can vote for us once a day and we would really appreciated it! The contest goes on until March 31st so please do not forget to visit our profile and vote!

Right after I finished the first class towards my GIA certification, I enrolled in the next class, Diamond Essentials. It just so happened that the end of the class coinsided with my husband coming home from Iraq after being gone for 13 months – so needless to say I was a bit distracted in December! Somehow through all the excitement and craziness of him coming home on top of the holidays, I found time to take the exam and passed with flying colors. So now I am two classes down towards my GIA certification. I am taking a break since then so I get time to reconnect with our family now that my husband is home. Its never an easy transition, but as things are getting back to normal, I am finding that I now have more time to sit down and create!

This article was extracted from the 6/29/07 edition of the Windsor-Hights Herald – please see article located here:

http://www.packetonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18534022&BRD=1091&PAG=461&dept_id=456081&rfi=6

Township woman linking former hobby to charity
By: Cara Latham, Staff Writer
06/29/2007

“EAST WINDSOR — Township resident Elycia Norton recently received a thank-you letter in the mail from a bride who had purchased custom-designed bracelets for herself and her bridal party.
Not only did the bracelets — made from periwinkle blue Swarovski crystal and sterling silver — accompany the occasion well, but they also had special meaning to the bride. The cancer-awareness jewelry provided a way to incorporate the memory of her brother, who died from cancer, into the wedding.
Ms. Norton, 33, said she was surprised that the bride, who she had never met, took the time to mail her a note. However, she said, the response was typical of some of the positive feedback she’s been getting since she began selling the homemade bracelets on her Web site — VaelDesigns.com — with the goal of raising $1,000 for cancer awareness by the end of the year.”

You can read the rest of the article located here:
http://www.packetonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18534022&BRD=1091&PAG=461&dept_id=456081&rfi=6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MOM ENTREPRENEUR WORKS TO RAISE $1000 FOR CANCER
Contact: Elycia Norton, Owner
Address: East Windsor, NJ, 08520
Phone: 877-258-2136
Email: elycia ‘at’ vaeldesigns.com
Website: http://www.vaeldesigns.com

East Windsor, NJ – Work at Home Mom Elycia Norton (www.vaeldesigns.com) is excited about the goal she has set for herself and her business in 2007. Vael Designs, which began as a hobby and grew into a business in March of 2006, specializes in the design of unique and custom-made jewelry. Through the sale of her cancer awareness bracelets, she is donating a portion of the proceeds to the fight against cancer.

Elycia says, “It all started when a friend approached me to create a cancer awareness bracelet. Interested in the project, I took on the task and my friend loved it so much that I put it on my website. Because my mother is a breast cancer survivor, I decided to make a breast cancer awareness bracelet. Over the past year, I have had several friends affected by cancer and wanted a way to help make a difference as they struggle through this disease, so I decided to set a fundraising goal to raise awareness.”
The American Cancer Society’s website (www.cancer.org) provides information on how donations help cancer research, “The American Cancer Society funds the most innovative, groundbreaking research so future generations need never get cancer. We are the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit source of funds for scientists studying cancer. Our research program has resulted in saving literally millions of lives. We provided funding for breakthroughs such as tamoxifen, bone marrow transplants, and molecular therapies that have given new hope to the mothers, fathers, grandparents, and children touched by cancer. We continue to invest in the most promising programs until we achieve our ultimate goal—the elimination of cancer.”
“Running my business has been very enjoyable and rewarding, and as I continue to expand my cancer awareness line, I get to talk with people whom I would have never been able to before,” says Elycia. “They share their stories on how cancer has affected their lives, and so many of them are very moving and touching, and I am proud that I can make a little difference to help support cancer research.”
In the words of the ACS website, “Your gift is a big help in the battle against cancer—in your own community and across the country.” So help Elycia Norton reach her $1000 goal by visiting www.vaeldesigns.com to purchase your own cancer awareness bracelet.
About Vael Designs:
Elycia’s fascination with jewelry began as a child. Growing up, her father often held her spellbound as he crafted earrings out of silver wire or a bangle bracelet. He also spent many hours showing her and her younger sibling the different types of rocks and gems, which lead them to become interested in jewelry. Her sister started making beaded jewelry designs and following her lead, it eventually evolved into a thriving business.
For more information on her cancer awareness to jewelry contact Elycia Norton at 877-258-2136 or visit her website http://www.vaeldesigns.com.