I came up with the idea for Metal Mantra while running one day. It was a cold crisp morning here in Maple Ridge BC, I was out for my 10km stroller run with my then two-year old. It was a perfect morning, perfect start to the day.

As everyone that runs knows, your mind can go in all sorts of directions. I had recently been working with some copper plate. I have been making jewelry for 20 years now, and in that time I have acquired probably too many supplies, and I wanted to start using some of my copper. I had recently seen some bracelets in a store that had words stamped into them. I thought why not try that? Next question was what words to put into jewelry? Well what was important to me? I was doing it, running! Why not combine two of my passions into one, and make a jewelry and accessory line for not just runners but anyone facing a challenge. I wanted it gritty, and tough though, as challenges to me may be in part about love and hope, but most of the time, if not more, is about the gut. They are mantras you repeat to get you through and power you on.

I started thinking of how running can reflect life’s challenges in general. Sometimes you have easy runs and easy days when everything is perfect and you feel you can go on forever. Other runs, other days are a struggle, but you buckle down, keep your eyes on the prize and “git ‘er done”.

That idea-generating run was a year ago. I now have another baby and am just now starting to get back to running. My goal for this blog is to write about my experiences and observations with running and fitness, how that is reflected in my jewelry, as well as inspirational people and ideas. Upwards and
Onwards!