Last year at this time Amy Goldberg was designing jewelry as a hobby. But, my, how her bead collection has grown since then! Her sunroom, turned beading studio, is filled with containers of Swarovski crystals and hematite – trademarks of her handcrafted jewelry. She now works full time for her own jewelry designing company, ASG Creations.
After 18 years, Goldberg lost the hospital job where she worked with special needs children and children with severe illnesses. It was a job that was often emotionally taxing. “Making jewelry was a reprieve from some stressful days,” she said. While she was “shocked and mortified” that she lost her job, she says she didn’t get stuck. “I just picked up the pieces and said let’s keep going.”
And keep going she did. Her passion for designing jewelry enabled her to quickly build working relationships. She made phone calls and hit the pavement to create alliances with several places including Sparkhouse Studio in South Orange and Parteaz in Maplewood, where she now teaches custom beading classes and workshops.
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Goldberg also says that supportive family members made her transition to full time beading easier. Her husband helped her make 30 handmade beading boards. Her father, who has been in the jewelry business for over 50 years, did the laser engraving for her logo.
While she offers beading classes and parties to all ages, she is focused on mixing her expertise working with special needs children with beading. She says the beading experience is special because everyone walks away with one of their own creations. “I’ve seen people go through such hard times, I look forward to working with children when they are having fun.”
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And speaking of fun, Goldberg enjoys her new place of work. “It’s therapeutic. I open the blinds in my sunroom, put on some music and enjoy putting the colors together," she explains. She even gets to spend time with her young daughter who often helps her string beads.
As she puts together one of her eye catching pieces she has some advice to those who have passions that are pulling them: “If you believe in it, network and get the support from your friends and family just go with it.”
Email Amy at amy@asgcreations.com. View more at www.asgcreations.com
