Born and raised in Indiana, Kathy, her three children and funny, silly dog, Peanut, live with love and gratitude on Boston’s enchanting North Shore. Kathy is a summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Purdue University where she earned a degree in communications and psychology. She went on to earn a Masters of Business Administration from Boston College and has won accolades and awards in a successful career in marketing and public relations. Click here for a story about how Kathy got started in jewelry design. Finding inspiration for her jewelry designs in nature, art, sculpture, fashion and music, Kathy's interests include a yoga practice, travel, being with family and friends, playing guitar, teaching jewelry-making, and crocheting with her special sisters in the North Shore Hookers. Kathy volunteers at Children's Hospital of Boston and the Hospice of the North Shore where she works with teens and adults to help them design and make jewelry. Visit the TheForeverBracelet.com and Elysian Jewels and Kathy Beal MySpace page.

Special heartfelt thanks go to those who inspire and support me every day and those whose own luminosity and sparkling wit make me smile and laugh. So many people have encouraged me (you know who you are) – so thanks for, well, just everything. You bring out the best in me and lift me up – you are the "sparkling gems" who enrich my life. The love of my family and friends is illuminated in every single Elysian Jewels design. A woman has never had better friends. I am most grateful. Namaste Love, Kathy

Acknowledgments Where there is great love, there are always great miracles In memory of my brother Terrence Ridgely who died November 12, 2006 and Thelma Beal, my beloved mother-in-law, 1924-2007 You loved the beauty of the universe while you were here, now you are part of that infinite universe, your journey was so hard and your struggle is now over. An inspiration you will always be to your little sister. May angels have welcomed you home. I would be remiss if I didn't personally thank the following individuals... Andrew, Alexandra, and Christopher - you guys are simply the best kids ever and the most important people in my life - you make me so very proud - now go clean your rooms! To the Beal and Ridgely families - your love is sustaining, priceless, and yep, a warm, cozy feeling Steve at Dariotis Design - an immensely talented graphic designer who designed the beautiful Elysian logo and website graphics, please visit www.dariotisdesign.com Max Rossin - you are the brains behind the scenes of this great website. You are a technical guru... as if you didn't already know! Rock at White Light Digital - thank you for your support of Elysian and for the awesome business cards, visit www.wldigital.com Weird Al Yankovic Band and Crew - for making our whole family smile. You've made a real difference, so hey... thanks! Visit their sites, buy some CDs, see a show. Visit Weird Al, Drummer Jon Bermuda Schwartz, Guitarist Jim Kimo West and crew member and cute girl with the guitar, Rachel Romanowski. The Boston-based band Averi - The Boston-based band Averi and singer-songwriter Chad Perrone - thanks for being about more than making money and for sharing your many talents with the patients at Boston Children's Hospital. Everyone...buy the new Averi CD...catch them live...give 'em a hug...www.averimusic.com and www.chadperronemusic.com. Steve at Ipswich Music - for helping me become a Mom Who Rocks ... still working on that C7 chord. To friends at PRRI, NSMC, PGS, Triton Middle School, Merrimack College, my NSH "sisters", Rowley neighbors and community, Topsfield Library staff, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary - thank you, thank you, thank you for your support of Andrew and our family - we wouldn't have made it this far without your ever-present care, creativity, compassion and love. While there is life, there is hope. Finally, to my Sex and the City/Charlie's Angels girlfriends - you guys keep me young...and dancing...and laughing...and are more important to me than you could know.