How It All Began...

Late 2024 brought a whirlwind of challenges. In just four weeks, I dealt with a loss in the family, helped my sister through a stroke recovery, and found myself in a wheelchair due to dual hamstring tears and pinched nerves in my lower back.

I don't do well sitting still. To keep my sanity during six months of physical therapy and limited mobility, I turned to crafting in a more dedicated fashion than I had ever done previously. It began with wine cork trees (finally a use for those saved corks!) and eventually led me to a deep dive into jewelry making—wire working, beading and design. What started as "PT for the soul" quickly turned into a passion.

The result? Willow Tree Studio was born.

It hasn't been a perfectly smooth road—my first craft show was a rainy, $12-earring disaster—but by August, I had lines of people waiting to see my work! I wanted to do more. I wanted to use my skills as an artist and business owner to build something that can impact many and be sustainable.

Tanner and Penny.
Our studio mascots hard at work!

The Tree Behind The Name...

"I chose the name Willow Tree Studio because of the magnificent giant that anchors my backyard. Nine years ago, a micro-storm tore away a third of its canopy. Most would have cut it down, but we chose to nurture it back to health. I watched that tree from my studio every day tenaciously reclaim its beauty. "A willow is a paradox. Its branches can be fragile, requiring constant pruning and care, but its roots are unshakable. I see so much of my own journey in that beautiful tree. My life has required constant 'cleanup'—from foster care to health crises—but art became the root system that kept me grounded. The grace and beauty the tree gives us every year makes all the work worthwhile, and I strive to bring that same hard-won grace into every piece I design."

Before the storm

What survived

How it flourished with care

Our Mission: Beauty with a Blueprint for Good

At Willow Tree Studio, we believe jewelry is more than an accessory—it’s an internal shift. A perfectly ordinary outfit can become spectacular with the right piece, taking you from fading into the background to feeling seen: confident, strong, and beautiful.

My journey to creating these pieces wasn't a straight line. It began in a childhood defined by poverty and the foster care system, and was forged through a "made of steel" defiance against those who tried to break my spirit. From navigating a Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis while working my way through CWRU, to breaking the cycle of abuse with my own three children, art has always been my grounding force. It was the space where I could drown out the "ugly" and find calm.

Today, Willow Tree Studio is the culmination of that journey. My goal is simple: to create beautiful, eclectic pieces—ranging from funky and bold to quiet and elegant—that speak to your personality. But more importantly, this is a Profit-for-Purpose business. Every piece you purchase further enables our effort to create a fund that will become a sustainable foundation dedicated to helping those in desperate need. Together, we’re building something that lasts, proving that beauty can indeed grow from the toughest soil.

The Model: How Your Purchase Helps

Transparency is the heartbeat of this business. Here is exactly how the "Willow Tree Foundation" concept will work:

  • Sustainability First: A portion of every sale covers our essential costs—high-quality materials and fair wages for my son and partner, Matthew, who helps keep the studio running.
  • The Profit Pledge: 100% of the remaining profit that would traditionally go to the owner is instead diverted directly into the Willow Tree Foundation fund.

Dual-Impact Funding:

  • Immediate Allocation: A portion of the fund remains "fluid" to help people with urgent, real-time needs that require immediate financial intervention.
  • Long-Term Investment: The remainder is invested to grow a permanent endowment, ensuring that Willow Tree Studio can continue to help others for decades to come.

Our Promise: Radical Transparency

Because of where I’ve been, I value honesty above all else. Trust is hard-earned and easily lost. As we develop this foundation, I promise total transparency in where our funds go and who they help.

I started this business because I have more to do. By choosing Willow Tree Studio, you aren’t just buying a beautiful piece of jewelry—you’re partnering with me to create a legacy of kindness that will outlast us both.

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