Designer Spotlight: Susan L. Goldstein
A BRIEF STORY OF WHAT YOU DO AND WHY YOU DO IT
In June of 2009 my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I decided to make bracelets and give them to the women in my mother's life who wanted to honor and support her during her 3 1/2 month battle. I realized that cancer doesn't affect just the patient, cancer affects everyone in the patients life. When someone you love is terminally ill, it brings many people together, cancer awareness bracelets though only a small gesture, show that these women wearing sometimes the same bracelet have formed a bond and a strength to help the person ill and themselves through.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO JEWELRY DESIGN?
I used to bead necklaces when I was a teenager. Devastated by mother's diagnosis, I found the researching, purchasing designing and making of the bracelets was therapeutic for me. Giving the bracelets to the women in my mother's life helped me feel like we were all supporting my mother emotionally. Boogs is a nickname my grandfather gave to my mother was a little girl. Because I started this business to honor her, it was only fitting that I named the business after my mother. I think about my mother many times a day and know that her memory lives on.
What Makes Your Collection Unique?
Boogs Bracelets is really 2 lines of bracelets. There are the cancer awareness bracelets where a portion of sales is given to cancer related charities and then there are more fashion friendly bracelets.
What Are your inspirations?
I look at different fashion magazines, high end clothing catalogs as well as the NY Times fashion section and magazine for color inspiration. I try very hard to come up with my own bracelet designs.
HOW ARE YOU MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE?
It makes me feel good to know that in some small way, I am able to give to cancer related organizations. I have given many bracelets to women who either have been diagnosed, or are close to someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. Their reactions to receiving the bracelets touch my heart. And for a minute, bring a little happiness to them.
What's something unusual about you that makes you “you”?
I think that question could be best answered by either my sister, or close friends.
WHAT'S THE BIGGEST STRUGGLE IN RUNNING YOUR JEWELRY BUSINESS LIKE A BUSINESS? OR WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESS IN RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS LIKE A BUSINESS?
My biggest success has been having a bracelet featured in People Style Watch magazine
I am a professionally trained personal chef, graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, living in the Boston area.
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