Jewelry Designs
that Change Lives

© by Dee Gordon; all rights reserved

I'm a true believer in that when you give, it comes back to you in some form or fashion.

That's why when I was able to relaunch my new business and website back in August, I wanted to make it a point to design one or two jewelry pieces that would allow me to donate to particular causes that I was passionate about.

If you haven't made that decision yet to donate or give through your business, keep reading. I'm going to share my story with you and hopefully inspire you to think about the concept.

One thing you must know is that women truly enjoy a story behind a jewelry purchase - and they especially enjoy it when they know that either all or part of the proceeds from their purchase will be going towards a charity or good cause.

My customers old and new proved this point during this past Holiday.

I joined Kiva.org this past year.

Kiva is a grassroots organization which enables you to help fund micro-loans to individuals or entrepreneurs in underdeveloped countries.

Kiva allows you to choose the country, type of business, and gender of your recipient. I tend to favor women in crafts or self-employment.

Along with other Kiva Lenders, you are able to help change lives and enable someone else's dreams to come true.

I've become so passionate about lending through Kiva, that I designed a special necklace that would enable me to give more often.

Because of the material cost of this particular necklace, I wasn't able to give 100%, but I do take 25% of the proceeds from the sales of the Giving Necklace, and put it towards my next loan. Once I reach $25.00 I fund a new loan.

When the loans are re-paid, I just re-lend with another borrower - how cool is that? I've been able to help fund three micro loans through my jewelry business since November.

And the customers who have purchased the necklace truly enjoy the updates I send on the recipients.

"Giving Necklace" by Dee Gordon:
The Hill Tribe Silver leaf represents the Kiva vision,
the green Cubic Zirconia pendant represents money loaned
and the green Freshwater Pearl represents good luck
for the borrower and the lender.

The other design that I recently created to change lives is a beautiful triple strand bracelet, made of Fair Trade paper beads from The Beads for Life group in Ghana.

I call this bracelet "Kaleidoscope of Hope". Because the beads are fairly inexpensive, I'm able to take 50% of the proceeds and donate back to the not-for-profit group.

I then take the other 25% and purchase more beads, where my entire purchase amount goes back into the village, for education, health care, and housing.

People love these colorful bracelets made from the paper beads and Hill Tribe Silver (another Fair Trade item).

"Kaleidoscope of Hope"
bracelet by Dee Gordon

The one steady factor you'll notice is that with the organizations I've chosen, I'm able to help improve the lives of women and children, or help support their business or dream.

As a single mom with her own business, you can probably figure out my passion for both.

If this article has inspired you to think about designing your own jewelry piece that changes lives, here are a few recommendations:

1. Choose an organization or charity that you are passionate about, learn as much as you can, and follow often. Your enthusiasm and knowledge will show in your presentation when you talk to your customers.
2. When you're deciding to designate how much of the proceeds will go towards the charity, also keep in mind your overhead costs and material expenses. You don't want to donate so much that it prevents you from continuing to support that cause.
3. Once or twice a year, hold a charity event or have someone else host it for you, where a certain amount of the proceeds from all your jewelry sales goes towards a charity of your choice or theirs.

   Your customers will appreciate you and your business for helping their cause. You will also leave with a positive lift in your heart.

4. Design the piece with a meaning and make it unique. Choose colors and components that represent the cause. People will enjoy hearing about how you came up with the design and enjoy even more repeating the story.
5. Keep your customers up-to-date with your support of the cause through your website, newsletter or blogs. Let them know how much your company has donated and thank them often for their support.
6. And last but not least, wear your design often. You don't want to miss an opportunity to change another life!