#dragonflysuncatchers

[mairidesign]

Thanks for the wonderful review! ★★★★★ "This is a beautiful piece and makes a great addition to one of our windows. I am so glad we crossed paths! Mairi - you are the best! So talented. Kelly" #etsy #mairidesign #mairidesign1 #stainedglass #homedecor #housewarming #dragonflysuncatcher #turquoisebluegreen #dragonfly #suncatcher #windowdecoration #glassornament #naturelover #pondlife #thankyou #5starreview https://etsy.me/2VC0lKW (at Prague) https://www.instagram.com/mairidesign1/p/BwFtILtBHoV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jkfycuzxyj9a

[bluerosezen-blog]

Still working out the logistics, so these aren’t in the shop yet. Right now I’m at the “should I” phase.

Ever since my youngest son died from fentanyl poisoning I’ve been looking for somewhere to put my anger and grief; something to do with it besides wallow in my pain. For the first few months after his overdose in February of 2017, I learned everything I could about addiction, overdose, the Opioid epidemic, and fentanyl. I learned how addiction changes brain chemistry, I learned about people mixing fentanyl analogs with heroin, cocaine and pills. I met other grieving parents who lost their children to addiction. I learned everything I could but none of it eased the pain of losing my 27 year old son. I realized nothing ever would, so I looked to channel it. I wrote letters and signed petitions; joined groups of moms trying to keep other mothers from joining our ranks. That only caused more frustration as I felt our voices fell on deaf ears. And fed my anger as I came across people who blamed the addict, blamed my son, rather than the disease. My son was trying to beat the addiction. He was in withdrawal. He relapsed and addiction won the war, but still people said it was his own “choice”. So I stepped back and decided to regroup.

I found established groups who had been fighting this fight for a long time. Groups like Harm Reduction and Heroin Support. Groups who not only lobby the government for changes in how we battle addiction, but who also go out into the streets to help the addicts. Groups that give out clean needles, recovery information, fentanyl test strips and Narcan. Groups that offer support to addicts in recovery and their families and also offer support to grieving families like mine. I found these groups and began helping any way I could, even if it just meant sharing information and making financial donations.

Which leads to the dragonflies.

Purple because that is the color for overdose awareness. Dragonflies because there are beautiful legends associated with the delicate creatures and the souls of our loved ones. I make and sell jewelry. After my son’s death I lost my motivation. But my son was all about business and making a buck and was on me about being more serious about my “hobby”. In the past 6 months I’ve found my motivation again. I’ve become more serious about creating jewelry. I’ve taken all the advice he’d given me and finally put it to work. In his honor, in his memory, to make him proud instead of screaming to the heavens because he’s gone.

My plan is to sell the purple dragonflies in my shop and at the live markets I do. To raise awareness and to donate 30% of the proceeds to one of the groups I follow. I have to work out how much I should charge so that I can pay for supplies and still make a donation that counts. If I decide to do this, the dragonflies will probably be in my shop after the holidays are done.

[snapdragonjewelryco]

Wire Wrapped Beaded Dragonfly Suncatcher

#etsy #suncatcher #dragonfly #copper #limegreen #skyblue #dragonflysuncatcher #patiodecor #windowdecor #porchdecor #handmade #ooak #windowjewelry #SnapdragonJewelryCo

https://etsy.me/2XmZ12P

[stainedglassyourway]

Stained Glass Dragonfly Suncatcher - Garden Art - Window Decor - Mothers Day Gift - Nature Decor - Housewarming Gift - Dragonfly Art