(written on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Miss Elsie
Sunday, May 5th marked one year since Miss Elsie was called home.
I am still in shock.
Though it is not for us to ask there are so many questions.
We simply try to understand.
It hadn’t been that long since the two of us had chatted and laughed...not knowing what was soon to come. She was unique in her “own” way…never knowing or ever being able to take a good guess (most of the time) what she would have to say at any given time. She often surprised us all with her wit, kindness, concern, caring, and her wonderful smile.
One thing is for sure, I will never forget her phase at just about everything, “Honey, please”! (big grin) It took me some time to get through the news of her passing as I had to endure phone calls and emails that came in for some time after from suppliers, friends, and customers. So, here I am a year later writing in Memory of Miss Elsie…I simply could not put words together at that time.
Miss Elsie taught me how to make jewelry, my mentor.
I could bounce designs off her and she would bounce designs off me with a respect that neither of us would take the others design and run with it as our own. You just can’t find that any more in this world. She encouraged me early on by inviting my family and me to her home on Memorial Day in 2005. She encouraged me to allow her to teach me how to make jewelry. I was very content with my candle craft business at the time and jewelry wasn't anywhere on my radar. I tried to explain that to her when she approached me and encourage me to move forward in my creativeness but, she was determined to change my mind. She did. We did visit her home in Knoxville and in a days’ time I made 5 Necklace and Earrings Sets on my own that was very popular styles back then. I also learned several other techniques. She sent me home with the 5 sets plus other items for me to “make my own” and told me (not asked, LOL) to return to an event in July which both of us had attended in prior years. However, I did my candle crafts. She wanted us to share a booth. I recall her saying, “Girl, do NOT bring those candles!”, clear as a bell…as though she is sitting here with me now. I went to the event (family in tow) and learned so much from her selling jewelry! I watched as she interacted with customers of all types. She held nothing back. If you asked her something about her technique she was very quick and blunt to share with you that she will not share her secrets with you. She had a reason for doing so. Most customers returned to buy from her. {big grin}
Though it is not for us to ask there are so many questions.
We simply try to understand.
It hadn’t been that long since the two of us had chatted and laughed...not knowing what was soon to come. She was unique in her “own” way…never knowing or ever being able to take a good guess (most of the time) what she would have to say at any given time. She often surprised us all with her wit, kindness, concern, caring, and her wonderful smile.
One thing is for sure, I will never forget her phase at just about everything, “Honey, please”! (big grin) It took me some time to get through the news of her passing as I had to endure phone calls and emails that came in for some time after from suppliers, friends, and customers. So, here I am a year later writing in Memory of Miss Elsie…I simply could not put words together at that time.
Miss Elsie taught me how to make jewelry, my mentor.
I could bounce designs off her and she would bounce designs off me with a respect that neither of us would take the others design and run with it as our own. You just can’t find that any more in this world. She encouraged me early on by inviting my family and me to her home on Memorial Day in 2005. She encouraged me to allow her to teach me how to make jewelry. I was very content with my candle craft business at the time and jewelry wasn't anywhere on my radar. I tried to explain that to her when she approached me and encourage me to move forward in my creativeness but, she was determined to change my mind. She did. We did visit her home in Knoxville and in a days’ time I made 5 Necklace and Earrings Sets on my own that was very popular styles back then. I also learned several other techniques. She sent me home with the 5 sets plus other items for me to “make my own” and told me (not asked, LOL) to return to an event in July which both of us had attended in prior years. However, I did my candle crafts. She wanted us to share a booth. I recall her saying, “Girl, do NOT bring those candles!”, clear as a bell…as though she is sitting here with me now. I went to the event (family in tow) and learned so much from her selling jewelry! I watched as she interacted with customers of all types. She held nothing back. If you asked her something about her technique she was very quick and blunt to share with you that she will not share her secrets with you. She had a reason for doing so. Most customers returned to buy from her. {big grin}
To my surprise, I sold all the sets I made along with many other items that I returned to the event with!
She said to me, “See, I told you, girl!” as she hugged me.
To this day, I try to return what she has taught me by reaching out to others as she reached out to me.
So many memories with her! So many FUN times sharing a booth with her and traveling with her until she thought I was ready to go on my own! I could have stayed with her until the end but, she knew she needed to let me fly own my own. She has certainly left me on my own!
My family has been very blessed that Miss Elsie was a part of our life.
We love you, Miss Elsie.
Rest in Peace
UPDATE (written Monday, May 18, 2015
Ten years later she still talks to me!!! Yes, Happy Anniversary to Jewelry by Vee! This month we will celebrate our 10th year in business!
Many thanks to Miss Elsie and my family for sticking with me on this journey and for all their hard work! Our son has grown up with this business and contributed himself. I can not thank him enough for his dedication at such a young age. I could not have done this without my family.
Then, there are our dedicated customers! Our doors would not be open today if it were not for your support through these years! You, too, have challenged me and taught me! Thank you!
Recently, I came across several things that reminded me of my “beginning” …my very first tools have been placed in a drawer designated for items and things given to me from Miss Elsie. This month was also a reminder that Miss Elsie left us 3 years ago. In the Blog post above, I mention 5 Necklace and Earrings Sets that she taught me how to make. Back then, I was using cheap disposable cameras. I do not recall having a camera the day I visited her home and I do not recall pictures being made, period. I had been very disappointed that I didn’t get pictures of the sets that I had made…especially after Miss Elsie passed away. When she first started talking to me about allowing her to teach me to make jewelry, she said, “You are holding your creativeness back!” I asked her, “What do you mean?” She simply replied, “You’ll know what I mean.”
I was contacted about a family picture that, of course, I had to dig for to find it. At that time, Miss Elsie was far from my mind but, when I pulled a pack of pictures out that hadn’t been placed in albums, I was stopped dead in my tracks!
I FOUND a picture of the necklace sets!!!
She said to me, “See, I told you, girl!” as she hugged me.
To this day, I try to return what she has taught me by reaching out to others as she reached out to me.
So many memories with her! So many FUN times sharing a booth with her and traveling with her until she thought I was ready to go on my own! I could have stayed with her until the end but, she knew she needed to let me fly own my own. She has certainly left me on my own!
My family has been very blessed that Miss Elsie was a part of our life.
We love you, Miss Elsie.
Rest in Peace
UPDATE (written Monday, May 18, 2015
Ten years later she still talks to me!!! Yes, Happy Anniversary to Jewelry by Vee! This month we will celebrate our 10th year in business!
Many thanks to Miss Elsie and my family for sticking with me on this journey and for all their hard work! Our son has grown up with this business and contributed himself. I can not thank him enough for his dedication at such a young age. I could not have done this without my family.
Then, there are our dedicated customers! Our doors would not be open today if it were not for your support through these years! You, too, have challenged me and taught me! Thank you!
Recently, I came across several things that reminded me of my “beginning” …my very first tools have been placed in a drawer designated for items and things given to me from Miss Elsie. This month was also a reminder that Miss Elsie left us 3 years ago. In the Blog post above, I mention 5 Necklace and Earrings Sets that she taught me how to make. Back then, I was using cheap disposable cameras. I do not recall having a camera the day I visited her home and I do not recall pictures being made, period. I had been very disappointed that I didn’t get pictures of the sets that I had made…especially after Miss Elsie passed away. When she first started talking to me about allowing her to teach me to make jewelry, she said, “You are holding your creativeness back!” I asked her, “What do you mean?” She simply replied, “You’ll know what I mean.”
I was contacted about a family picture that, of course, I had to dig for to find it. At that time, Miss Elsie was far from my mind but, when I pulled a pack of pictures out that hadn’t been placed in albums, I was stopped dead in my tracks!
I FOUND a picture of the necklace sets!!!
At that moment I KNEW what Miss Elsie meant by…
“You are holding your creativeness back!”
Chills ran through me to the bone! I knew at that very minute Miss Elsie was right there with me! I immediately started weeping! I miss her so dearly!
Other than my mom, she was a woman that I could “trust” to talk business with.
A woman that “got me”!
A woman that didn’t “judge me” creatively, in business, or personally.
I get it, Miss Elsie, I finally get it and as we used to say to each other… “It’s ALL good!” {{{HUGS}}}
Thank you so very much! We love and miss you dearly…see you soon!
Thank you to all our customers as we celebrate another anniversary!
Ultimately, we owe it all to Him!
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