Central Coast News & Reviews

I KNOW THIS LOOKS LIKE A LONG STORY, but it isn’t- not really. Please sit for a moment. Pull up a chair and have a cup of tea with me. BREATHE, Relax; you need a break!

This is how it all began… 

I’m the oldest of 7 children; there’s ten years between each of the 3 girls, with the boys filling up the holes in between! Regardless of the difference in age, my relationship with my siblings is very special, and I cherish it. In mid summer of 2006, our family was dealt a terrible blow- our father was diagnosed with lung cancer, and the statistics were not good.

One day I was browsing through my favorite local bookstore/ spiritual retreat (Coalesce Bookstore & Wedding Chapel) looking for a special gift for my sisters. They live in Illinois (where I grew up), and I live in California. The gap of miles between my family and I opened even wider when my dad got sick. I tried to fill it up with small gifts and warm phone calls, trying not to let them know that I was biting my nails until they bled, wracked with anxiety and guilt over my dad’s illness and potential death, and my living too far away to care for them or for him. And I found myself searching as well, questioning my faith, wondering about the power of prayer and positive thinking, thinking about my life so far and about what my family means to me.

In the bookstore, I noticed these Chinese Jade Good Luck Charms. I remembered one of my little brothers diligently carrying his rabbit’s foot with him wherever he went- it made me smile. I read the meanings on the boxes and thought again about the power of prayer and positive thinking, and I decided to buy good luck charms for my sisters. Right then and there I knew I’d make Y necklaces with them. I wanted something that the three of us could wear and touch at any time of the day, reminding us that we aren’t alone and that we are loved.

My father’s surgery for lung cancer was successful. They removed half of one of his lungs, but after the surgery he became deathly ill from a terrible staff infection incurred during surgery. One day my dad told my little sister Mandi (age 13), “Oh Kathie, I’m so glad you came home”. He was looking at her thinking that she was me; so I went home to Illinois for a quick visit- I had to.

Even though the circumstances weren’t the best, it was really great to go to Illinois and see my family. I was able to spend a little bit of time with Mandi, the youngest (she’s the only one I’ve never lived with, so we’ve never known each other very well). I cherish the small amount of time we spent together; we had so much FUN!

Thankfully, dad recovered. He will be starting pulmonary therapy soon. He is able to take short 15-minute walks now, and is no longer on oxygen. We are all SO happy and so very, very blessed! Who would have thought that so many wonderful things could come out of such a traumatic experience? My father, a gifted artist, hadn’t drawn or painted in years. He was my artistic mentor as a child and nurtured my passion for art- particularly drawing. And being home with so much time on his hands, along with some prodding by his eager children (ESPECIALLY me), he started drawing again! He is so VERY, VERY talented (you can see a couple of his comics on my website). And after battling cancer, I think he truly realizes the gift of his talent, and how important it is to his health and well being to express himself through his art. Also, the whole thing brought us all closer. We expressed love for each other in ways that we never have before.

In every situation there’s a silver lining, it’s usually just impossible to see it at the time! Sometimes when we’re in the thick of it, we need reminders to just keep our heads on straight, bringing us back to what’s important. “Eliminate the static” (all the garbage that muddles up our heads every day and keeps us from concentrating on what’s important- I picked that up in a movie but I can’t remember which one!). My necklaces are subtle- or sometimes bold- reminders. When I wear one, I feel empowered and grounded.

My first necklace stood for “Empowerment & Positive Thinking”. I wore it EVERYWHERE! And then I made one for “Wealth & Prosperity”- ironically enough, that was the necklace that landed my jewelry in a local art gallery when the owner caught a glance of me wearing it while shopping one day (hence the business name, “fluKe”- the way that my work was “discovered” really was a stroke of luck!). In one day, three complete strangers noticed my necklace, and I knew it was a sign!

I’ve drawn, painted and written for as long as I can remember, but I’ve never been formally trained as a jeweler. The owner of the first gallery to buy my jewelry said, “Great! Lets keep it that way”, so the process remains completely organic- I just do what feels right. I make this jewelry, and people respond to it. People believe in it. And I have come to believe that the BELIEVING is more than half the battle! Believing in yourself, and your abilities, believing in what makes you unique, just KNOWING that there’s a special reason for YOU being alive and on this planet. Sometimes we need to be reminded of our SPECIALNESS. My jewelry does that. It’s quite unique in it’s own right, and it just feels good on your skin. Every piece has something unique and individual about it. Even if I copy a particular piece, I will change it in some small way so that no two pieces are ever EXACTLY alike.

Though I may pull from particular religions, I consider my work to be “spiritual”, not “religious”. It’s meant to be personal, uplifting and healing. I’m inspired to create particular pieces, which you’ll see displayed on this site, but I do take custom orders. Please send me an e-mail if you’re interested in having something special designed to meet your needs- anything is possible! Also e-mail me if you’re interested in a particular piece you see on the site. If it’s been sold, I can make you something comparable.

Making a necklace sparks my creativity, it breathes life into me and into the wearer. The process is very healing; it keeps my mind calm and focused and my hands working (my nails aren’t being bitten- ha, ha). I put my heart and soul into each piece. Whichever one you choose, I hope that it brings you or your loved one as much peace, joy and luck as it has brought to me!

Thanks for listening…

Peace & Blessings to you all,

Katherine M. Roach-Wright