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The story behind how June 1989 Jewelry opened up is a heartbreaking and beautiful one.  My friend, Collette, from Statements in Fashion, and her daughter Chloe, started creating these wonderful bracelets in honor of a very special guy in their lives.  I am so lucky to be able to share his story with you all and host this wonderful giveaway for a bracelet in his memory.

{MEET THE LADIES}

photo courtesy of Moments Captured by Retha

1) Can you tell my readers a little bit about why you decided to open up shop?
In October of 2000, my older son Alex (Chloe’s brother) passed away at the age of eleven from spinal meningitis. Please read CBS news article All of our lives would never be the same, especially Chloe’s. Chloe and Alex shared such a special close bond, even if it was for the first short eight years of her life. There has not been a day that has gone by that Chloe doesn’t speak of Alex and keep him in her memory.

I distinctly remember leaving the funeral home after we gathered the last of Alex’s flowers and Chloe pointing out that there were dragonflies all around us. Ever since that day, the dragonfly has been our family’s symbol of Alex and his memory. Alex was born on June 20, 1989, and Chloe named the company after him.

I am beyond moved that Chloe has decided to continue Alex’s memory by opening her own online jewelry store, June 1989. She has received her IRS employer identification number and completed DBA forms through the State of Michigan. This young woman has taken a tragedy, and turned it into a wonderful way of sharing Alex’s story with each and every person who wears one of her bracelets. She says he will continue to live through them, that he will never be forgotten. 🙂 Each bracelet is handmade by Chloe herself & includes a silver dragonfly charm in memory of Alex. Each bracelet purchase includes a handmade tag and personalized heartfelt handwritten thank you note. Chloe designs the bracelets and creates them, while I handle all of the “business aspects” such as accounting, marketing & social media.

We opened the store last week and have been receiving rave reviews and daily orders ever since. Everyone is so touched by Alex’s story, and Chloe’s desire at her young age to continue to tell it. Chloe is shipping her bracelets all around the world!

2) What are some of your favorite mother-daughter activities to do?
We are girls…we love to shop til we drop! We attend Weight Watcher meetings together every Wednesday and then go out to dinner to “catch up” (Chloe has successfully lost over 80 pounds in two years!) We spend a lot of time talking & sharing dreams for her life, we are each other’s best friends:)

3) What are favorite color combinations for Spring?
Collette: I’m loving all the pastel colors I’m seeing this season, especially mint.
Chloe: I love anything boho or floral!

4) What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Collette: Cherry Cheesecake
Chloe: Superman, love love it!

{GIVEAWAY}

Win this beautiful Gun Metal Gray bracelet ($40 value)!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY and closes on April 3, 2012 at 12:01AM EST.

Don’t want to wait?  Receive free shipping on all June 1989 orders from March 27th to April 27th by using the coupon code: sandy1989 at checkout.