September 21, 2006 Issue                                       

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©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Hill jewelry designer empowers breast cancer patients
by PAULA M. RILEY

Heidi Ferguson, owner of Heidi Lynn Designs, began donating jewelry to women fighting breast cancer after her close friend became ill. She continues to create jewelry to empower women fighting the disease. (Photos by Paula M. Riley)

Heidi Ferguson of Chestnut Hill did not want to stand by and witness her friend Rebecca’s struggle with breast cancer. She did not want to watch another friend become lost in the emotional and physical pain of the disease. Instead, she wanted to do something.

Ferguson, owner of Heidi Lynn Designs, decided to create an inspirational piece of work for Rebecca. Motivated by a drive to empower her, Ferguson designed a necklace that would serve as a source of strength and support. A solitaire garnet Swarovski crystal in the shape of a diamond hangs eloquently on an invisible wire. It was delivered to Rebecca in a small package with the inscription below:

This necklace is a symbol of several things: hope, inner peace, and the internal beauty resonating from my spirit to yours. As you endure the fight with your disease, please know you are beautiful and you are in my thoughts.

Her friend’s reaction amazed Ferguson. Her gift served to comfort Rebecca and remind her that though she had lost so much of her external identity, inside she was still a wonderful and beautiful woman.

Earrings and necklace set created by Heidi Ferguson of Heidi Lynn Designs. Each piece is custom designed to meet the personality and personal preferences of its owner

Ferguson, who later had her own scare with breast cancer, wanted to do more. She wanted to touch the lives of others suffering the pains of this disease: “I wanted women to know they still are individuals; that the disease is not who they are; it is simply what they have.” That is why she created 20 more necklaces, packaged them with the same inspirational words and donated them to “Living Beyond Breast Cancer,” a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life.

Those who have received the necklace remark on its inspirational qualities. They tell Ferguson how the piece serves as a constant reminder that despite the challenges the disease brings, they are still beautiful and are never alone. For Ferguson, this is exactly what she wanted to convey. She wanted to show them that they are cared for and more than anything, she wanted to connect with them.

It is not surprising that Ferguson’s work creates such a connection to its recipients. Connecting with clients is a core aspect of Ferguson’s creative business. “I like to find out about a person so I can get to know them on a deeper level.” She says that this knowledge helps her create pieces that reflect the souls of those who wear them.

Ferguson’s interest in jewelry design started in 1991 when she attended a beading class with a colleague. She was immediately enthralled. It began as a hobby and soon turned into a business. Designing jewelry seemed a natural extension of her creative abilities. A graduate of Philadelphia University with a BS in Fashion Design, Ferguson says of her first exposure to jewelry design, “It came naturally for me. I quickly was very comfortable working in that medium.”

Though she has spent much of her career in retail and merchandising arenas, it is the personal approach to jewelry design that matches her creative energies best. The ability to design and deliver pieces that are so intensely personal is something Ferguson takes very seriously. What people wear, from her perspective, speaks volumes about who they are, what they value and how they want to be perceived.

Ferguson has created jewelry for all types of occasions including bridal party gifts and anniversary celebrations. She hosts home shows, exhibits at craft shows and offers personal appointments for her clients who pay anywhere from $10 - $100 apiece. She especially likes to work with husbands who order jewelry for their wives. “I enjoy talking to them and helping create a piece that would suit their wives best. If requested, I will design prototypes from which they can choose their final piece.”

Five years later, Rebecca still wears that necklace Ferguson gave her. She is cancer-free now and knows that the love and support the necklace represented helped restore her health. Ferguson will continue to donate necklaces to women fighting breast cancer, knowing that through her words and artistic abilities, she is making a difference in their lives.

For more information, send a note to hlynndesigns@yahoo.com.