Tuesday, April 28, 2009

"Hybrid Mom of the Week"

This online article was featured today at Hybrid Mom Magazine.
Click here to view the original article

Please tell us more about the business and when you started it.

I started making jewelry 10 years ago, and earned a Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America. I sold my creations off and on at craft fairs and it was really just a hobby while I worked in the accounting field. When my third child was born stillborn two weeks before his due date, my world shattered and my life was forever changed. It was a long journey of grief, healing, and self discovery that continues today. When my subsequent son was born, I decided that I didn't want to just "forget about" my loss and move on. I felt compelled to make a difference somehow and to turn my loss into triumph. My Forever Child started in 2004 and has grown by leaps and bounds. My handcrafted jewelry is sold across the globe, and is extremely popular in my niche market, bereaved parents. I have designs specifically to bring awareness and healing for miscarriage and infant loss. I specialize in engraving children's actual handprint and footprint images into sterling silver and 14K gold charms, pendants, keychains and cufflinks. I love being able to help put a smile on someone's face and for them to feel closer to their child. I strongly believe in paying it forward. I donate lapel pins to memory box programs given to newly bereaved mothers and fathers. I also regularly donate to child advocacy charities and to research programs to help put an end to the loss of precious lives.

How do you define Hybrid?

Hybrid to me means having the best of both worlds- working at something you love that helps support your family, and being an involved parent.

Tell us how your "What’s Next" moment occurred and what did it mean to you.

After my fourth child was six-months-old, I pressured myself to go back to work part-time. But I took a position that I didn't like and for a company that I wasn't thrilled about. I felt like I was selling my time with my baby son just for money, and this made me very unhappy. It was then that I actively started to develop my business plan. I knew I couldn't be happy working for someone else's vision.

What are your biggest challenges?

My biggest challenges are not having enough time or energy to do everything well. It's a constant juggling act between running the business, making jewelry, creating new designs, photography, website maintenance, etc. Plus the kids, house, pets, laundry, food shopping, cleaning, etc. My older children are very involved in sports and activities. When they come home from school, the day just gets crazier! I know it's not possible to be able to do everything, but I get down on myself if I feel that I'm not living up to my potential.

What are your aspirations?

I aspire to have my business be more widely recognized; to contribute towards helping put an end to child loss; to continue to grow as an artisan while helping my customers through their journeys.

What are your interests?

I enjoy sharing in my children's interests, spending alone time with my husband, connecting with friends, learning new artistic skills (although I can get in over my head by not finishing projects!), reading inspirational, spiritual, and success stories of others, and relaxing amongst nature.

What inspires you?

My customers are my ultimate inspiration. I am continually touched by their stories of love, loss, and hope. It is because of them and the precious children in their hearts that I continue on this path.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Mother's Day Ordering & Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is quickly approaching! All mothers deserve something pretty on their special day. I'd love to help you put a smile on your favorite lady's face this year.


April 17th is the last day to order Photo Jewelry and Custom Engraved Handprint and Footprint Jewelry for guaranteed delivery by Mother's Day (in the United States only).


April 24th is the last day to order Personalized and Engraved Jewelry to be delivered in time for Mother's Day.

If you are ordering one of these unique keepsakes after the deadline, you can print out a Gift Presentation Card to insert in her card to let her know that a handcrafted treasure is on it's way.

Here is a list of popular Gift Ideas to consider:

Gift Certificates are great when you'd rather have the recipient decide her own style for what suits her best. Gift Certificates are also perfect for the last minute (up to Saturday, May 9th) and can be emailed to you so you can print it out yourself!

Personalized Round Charm Necklace is a beautiful and updated mother's necklace with a charm for each child. First name is on the front and date of birth is on the back. Availiable in all 5 fonts and with birthstone crystals for each child.

In Mom & Grandma's Heart has a Swarovski heart shaped crystal surrounded by birthstone crystals for each child.

Mother of Angels Pearl Bracelet is simple, classy and very affordable.

Grandma of Angels Pearl Bracelet is a pretty way to show Grandma that you appreciate her.

Personalized Mother's Bracelets in several styles including Pearl, Swarovski Crystal, and Wire Wrapped.


Here is a special poem for all the Mothers of Angels:

A Mother's Day Ode

I am your mother, but you, my child, I cannot hold.
It'll get easier with time, or so I'm told.
People may forget that I am your mother.
I'm part of a secret club we only share with one another.
But that doesn't diminsh my love for you.
I think of you the whole day through.
I wonder what you're doing, my Precious Little One.
We are connected by an Infinite bond which cannot come undone.
I will not let Death tear us apart.
I promise to always keep you alive in my heart.
©Susan Mosquera, all rights reserved

Friday, April 3, 2009

Our Social Media Links

Here is a list of how you can keep up with My Forever Child on your favorite social media sites:

Facebook
MySpace
Twitter

You can receive emails of our blog postings by visiting this page.
OR you can subscribe via your favorite blog reader. Some mobile devices can download blog readers so you can read while you're on the go.

If you have a blog of your own, you can FOLLOW this one by clicking on this link.

I appreciate reading about other's journeys. If you'd like to share and have me follow your blog, please use the Contact Us Form. See you there!

As always, thank you for your continued support and patronage of My Forever Child. You all help me to continue on with what I love to do!

Upcoming Events

Missing Grace Foundation- "GRACE Conference: Light on the Horizon"
April 25- Minneapolis, MN

For both Health Care Professionals and Bereaved Families to find support, encouragement, and resources to help on the journey through grieving, infertility, adoption, family planning, prenatal care.

North Shore University Hospital- "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Spring Program"
April 26- Manhasset, NY

Six Workshops and Baby Memorial Garden Dedication. For more information, contact Nancy Berlow (516)562-8422

A Small Victory -“Seeds of Hope” Benefit Dinner and Auction
May 2- Renton, WA

This western Washington area Charity Auction will be the third benefit dinner and will be celebrating A Small Victory's third anniversary. Please join the party!
The event will begin at 5PM with a silent auction, wine and hors d’oeuvres; followed by dinner and a special video presentation by the talented John Reidt. As the evening continues, auctioneer Brad Goode will conduct an exciting live auction. The night will conclude with a dessert auction with cakes donated from some of the best bakeries in western Washington.
My Forever Child has donated a basket for the auction!

March of Dimes -"March for Babies"
Mid April - Mid May, walks being held all over the country

It's America's favorite walking event! When you walk, you give hope to the families of babies born too soon or sick. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the serious problems that threaten our babies. We've been walking since 1970 and have raised an incredible $1.8 billion to benefit all babies.

Bereaved Parents of the USA "Light My Way" National Gathering
July 10-12 New York, NY

Bereaved Parents of the USA (BP/USA) is a national non-profit self-help group that offers support, understanding, compassion and hope especially to the newly bereaved be they bereaved parents grandparents or siblings struggling to rebuild their lives after the death of their children, grandchildren or siblings.

The Compassionate Friends- "2009 National Conference"
August 7-9 Portland, OR

Online registration is now open for the 32nd National Conference with the theme Mountains of Compassion–Roses of Love. As with past national conferences the upcoming event promises a good dose of caring, sharing, and healing with well over eleven hundred people who understand much of what all those attending the conference have gone through. There will be plenty to do, or you can simply relax with friends, old and new, during the conference, which features four outstanding keynote speakers.

If you have additional events that you'd like published here, please put them in the comments section of this post, or use the Contact Us Form to send an email.