Crafting for a Great Cause!

As people all across the Triangle are gearing up for 25th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure , one member of the NCTriangle Etsy street team is doing her part to find the cure for cancer.

Carrie, of Rippa’s Custom Silver, started making jewelry in 2001 as a hobby. Everything she would make, a friend, family member, or co-worker would want to buy it right off her wrist. A dear friend asked her one day to make her a breast cancer bracelet, so she did. After she made that bracelet, everyone who came in contact with it wanted to order one.

In August 2002, she decided to open an online store, Cancer Awareness Jewelry , to sell her jewelry. Cancer is a cause that is dear to her heart because she has friends and family who have battled this disease and she has lost loved ones to it. Carrie added, "Knowing that something I design for someone to wear in support of the fight or in honor of a loved one is the utmost reward to me."

Carrie donates 20% of all her jewelry sales to different cancer awareness. To date she has donated $4,800 in different amounts to Susan G. Komen for Breast Cancer, St. Jude’s, Lung Cancer, Ovarian Cancer and Autism.

Besides her cancer awareness jewelry she designs all types of beaded jewelry, from earrings, bracelets to necklaces. She loves sterling silver and all types of beads. She in awe of glass beads, they are just stunning to her! Her crafts has evolved over the years, and she loves the creative outlet that designing jewelry gives her. She tries to keep her jewelry designs current in style, yet with lasting appeal. Her latest craft creations are marble magnets, fabric covered button bobby pins, hair clips and fun cocktail rings. She sells her designs primarily on Etsy and her website, and usually participates in 3-4 craft shows a year, with a home show here and there. Most of her creation you can visit in person at the Purple Armchair in Raleigh.