If you had told me 5 years ago that I would start a jewelry company, I would not have believed you.
"As if the world needed more jewelry..."
— Ruth
Yet, here we are.
I like stories and writing. I like food, travel, and my husband. I love people around my dining table. I like spring and adore my four children. I like fresh flowers and renovating houses. And I love pretty things and words like Serendipity.
But above all, I love God.
But it is He—and the godly things—I spend the least time on.
Jewels
Ruthfully
the 80-20
When I wrote my book, Sunday Evenings with Joni: Conversations about Life's Chaos and Amazing Grace, one theme kept resurfacing.
The 80-20.
The story of 80-20 was supposed to be one chapter in the book. Only one. But somehow, most chapter concluded with their own version of it. Again and again, pointing back to the 80-20.
In a nutshell, it is this: I was upset with God, and Joni Eareckson Tada told me how she prays with 80-20 in mind. I disagreed, but tried it anyway, and lo and behold, it changed me.
My anxiety lessened, my peace grew, I worried less, and trusted more. It was a matter of perspective.
Not wanting to forget, I thought of ways to remember this.
I asked my youngest, who suggested a tattoo. That felt a bit much, so I decided to create a necklace instead.
Easier said than done, because I knew very little about jewelry.
I know about words, propagating hydrangeas, and making you dinner. But clasps, metals, PVD-coating, manufacturing, and packaging?
Not so much.
All I knew was that it had to be pretty, durable, and something I would wear.
No fluff.
Just a strong and handsome statement.
While drawing and dreaming about this necklace, I had so much fun! So much so that I started thinking about other stories to wear.
There is a prayer I often pray, about being able to grasp the depth and height of God's love. This inspired 'How Deep'.
'Entwined', both a bracelet and a necklace, is all about our wonderful uniqueness and how we're never meant to fit one mold. Psalm 139 inspired it.
Then there was a heart I found at an antique market in Paris, many years ago. Bold and delicate at the same time, it became 'Big Heart'. A reminder of the biggest love I know.
And then there is 'Bountifully'. Another favorite word of mine. Because it is so much. Above and beyond.
And finally, 'the 80-20'. The piece that started it all.
Together they became the first collection of Ruthfully Jewelry.
(The second collection is in the works, and we hope to have it ready by the fall of 2026.)
The stories were there—that was the easy part—but the execution was a whole other story. As a rookie in the field, I made many mistakes.
One factory made beautiful promises—all of which I believed—but their samples were generic and felt like plastic.
Another produced pieces that lost their color and shine after a few months of testing. And yet another told me I was too picky, too detailed, what I wanted was not possible.
I gave up.
Until our friend Anthony—whom I greatly admire—told me: Don't give up, keep communicating, keep saying what you want. Just don't give up.
I said: But, Anthony…
And Anthony said: No. Don't give up.
So I didn't.
It took me more than four years to launch Ruthfully Jewelry.
Because I wanted a reminder.
And no fluff.
Something I would wear. To remind me of what I so easily forget;
the goodness of God.
And as it turned out, I'm not the only one who forgets.
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