The story of Willie Zuniga of Morning Glory Designs
Welcome! My name is Willie Zuniga and I appreciate your stopping by.
I offer an heirloom-quality selection of vintage style jewelry, reminiscent of the Victorian and Renaissance eras. I invest great time and care in each piece I make, with the intention that it will be cherished for generations.
I first began making jewelry during a long illness, and the passion that followed changed my life. I was devastated by the surgeries and treatments my illness required, and my failing health had forced me to leave my full-time job permanently. I couldn't imagine how I could ever live with any of it, let alone remain a productive and useful person.
But during this time, I came across a website featuring Victorian style jewelry components, VintageJewelrySupplies.com. (originally AccessoriesSusan.com) There I found a whole new world of design ideas and lesson plans, all using the most beautiful items I'd ever seen. (Lesson plans and photos can now be found at Susan's new instructional site, FiligreeBeading.com.) Soon, I was completely absorbed in learning to design with the wonderful products offered. Although I was still very sick, my thoughts began to shift away from my seemingly hopeless health problems and on to the lovely creations I might make. Slowly, each day became a little brighter.
I often worked on jewelry during my day-long hospital treatments, and when other patients became interested in what I was doing, “Angels in the Parlour” was born. I started bringing extra tools and supplies to share, and soon we had a small group of budding designers ... all very sick, but each surely changing what might have been a terribly dismal time.
"Angels in the Parlour" quickly took on a life of it's own. In 2004, I began holding classes in my home, and a portion of my Etsy sales provided tools and supplies. We were completely self-supporting, and no patient ever paid any dues or fees.
Sadly, in 2017, my continuing health problems required that I slow down, and regular classes were discontinued. I still invite an occasional patient to my home though, and do my best to help anyone interested in learning this wonderful craft. And although I'm a little slower, I am still offering my own creations here in my Etsy shop, and hope you might find something to love.
I will always cherish the years spent with the courageous women who participated in "Angels in the Parlour," and I hope to always live up to their example. While fighting the greatest battles of their lives, I watched them create and dream, laugh and cry, and share their strengths and sorrows. I will forever be grateful to these "angels," for through them, I was able to make peace with my own situation, and surely became a more productive and useful person than I ever was before.
All designs, images and text are protected by US Copyright 2005 - 2017 Willie Zuniga, Zuniga Family Trust
