Jasmine Guy, who makes handmade jewellery at her home in Richmond, North Yorkshire, has found the most gorgeous space in which to sell her wares.
Working with her father, website designer Allan Guy, she launched www.beadsandme.com just in time for Christmas last year. This is a beautiful website built round the twin themes of selling her jewellery and raising the profile of M.E.
There's even a page or two in there dedicated to making money for the ME Association.
Jasmine (or “Jazz” as she prefers to be known) has paid tribute to the very close relative who sparked her interest in beaded fashion jewellery – her ‘Nan’, Ann McDonald, who died on Easter Sunday this year at the age of 83.
“My nan made jewellery until she was no longer able. I became ill with M.E. seven years ago, and after five years of not knowing how to deal with the illness, I discovered boxes of beads and tools at the bottom of a cupboard. It was something I found I could do in my own time and sitting down. It took off from there.”
Among her favourite pieces are a pair of Blue Ribbon earrings and a Blue Ribbon necklace. For every piece sold, she makes a 50% donation to the MEA. Find them and four other beautifully-made pieces here.
The new website gives Jazz peace of mind that can become a piece of yours. She’s started her own deeply reflective blog about her business, her M.E. journey and her determination to tell the wider world more about this wretched illness.
Jazz – pictured below with Dad Allan and mum Kirsty – ran her own ‘Hear ME, See ME’ campaign during ME Awareness Week, sharing the experiences of different people with M.E. Expect to hear more from her.
Allan remains true to his daughter’s cause and will be facing his own challenge for the ME Association and the Marie Curie cancer charity later this year.
He has registered to take part in Asda Foundation Yorkshire Marathon on 17th October.
