I love what I do so it never feels like work
Karen Parker (my aunt) was one of eight kids, no extra money, but plenty of love, laughs, encouragement, and good guidance. Her father, a polio victim at age 3, put braces on his legs and crutches under his arms every day and went to work, instilling in all of his kids (and grandkids) that there is no excuse for not being able to do something. Her mother was home and there for all of them every day, all day. Everyone learned to work and pitch in very early in life. Her older brothers shined shoes, and she and her sister helped their mother make jewelry at the kitchen table. It was literally milk money. She loved it, hence the wind blew her in that direction.
Her first after school job was jewelry. Her boss had scrap chain and she asked if she could have it. At the time, body chain jewelry was all the rage, (the 60's) so she made herself a full dress from that scrap chain. When her boss saw her creation, he asked if he could show it to someone, and that someone offered her a job designing jewelry at 17 years old. She learned everything about the manufacturing process. Three years later, at age 20, having at least 10 years experience making jewelry, she asked her parents what they thought of her going into business for herself. The answer: "You go girl!"
Every business goes through different stages and hers did, too. She started making jewelry for other companies for several years, then transitioned into developing her own line in the mid 80's.
Her business was a true family business. First, her youngest brother, Michael, then her sister, Audrey, then Audrey's daughter, then Michael's son, and then her brother David's wife, Linda, then one of their sons, and that's just relatives. The women, girls, and young men that worked for her over the years were truly an extended family. They laughed every day, dressed up for Halloween, spun the "Wheel of Plenty" for Thanksgiving, exchanged gifts for Christmas, had pizza day, and hot weiner day. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun. She was truly blessed to work with the best group of folks any business owner could ever ask for.
In her 60s she changed direction and created this Etsy shop. So many of her designs had never been seen before and she was excited to showcase them here on Etsy. She was thrilled to be here, and we hope you enjoy her life's work and creations.
Sadly, Karen passed away recently, shocking all of us. We thought she would live forever, she was larger than life. We are a large French family, all cut from the same cloth, but all headed in different directions, and she was the one who kept us all woven together. Family was everything to her. She left the business to me knowing I would continue her legacy, and, in keeping with the work ethic instilled in all of us by my grandfather, she knew I would work just as hard as her, if not harder, to continue to provide quality craftsmanship and customer service. I'm so proud to join the long lineup of family members that have worked for Karen over the years. I know she's watching over me, still telling me I'm "so slow, but you're doing good work," and I will strive to make her proud each and every day.
