Who would think that a family outing at the beach would turn me into a jewelry maker?
The blue waters on that warm and sunny July weekend seemed a perfect day to swim in Lake Michigan’s Chesterton beach. But the 65 F water temperature intimidated me.
Instead of swimming, my wife and I just strolled along the beach and enjoyed the sand and smooth stones touching our bare feet and the rushing waves occasionally splashing our legs.
We hardly saw shells in the beach. Instead the shore abounds with flat, smooth stones. I believe the constant churning of waves at the shore shapes and smoothens these fascinating hard minerals which include basalt, siltstone, limestone, mudstone, granite, agate, etc. (That’s according to my Google research)
I bent down to pick an interesting piece of stone- triangular in shape with a hole in one corner. I quickly thought that the piece would look good in my key holder. I happened to have my car key in my pocket. So right there and then I slipped the stone in my key ring. And it looked as if the stone was made for that purpose.
My wife and I just looked at each other fascinated with our discovery and we suddenly became stone collectors.
Our search focused on small, thin and flat stones with natural holes in them to make it into a key holder. You can only imagine how happy and excited we we’re every time we found what we’re looking for. I felt the kid in me came to life and it felt good to feel like a child again. We showed the stones to our grandkids who joined us in the search. Between the two of us and our grandchildren we found several “stone key holders”. I made one for each of our children Gilda, Gilson, Gilary and our daughter-in-law Lyndee. My wife quipped “Let’s look for more and sell them on Etsy.”
Our child-like fascination for collecting stones had began. My wife found a black triangular flat stone and she thought I could make something of it.
“Sweetheart, can you make me a pendant out of this?”
“But there’s no hole in it. How can I hang it.” I replied.
In my mind I thought I knew there’s a way to turn that stone into a beautiful pendant, maybe drill a hole or something.
With that in mind I collected many flat stones in different colors and shapes and came home with the interesting stone collection not knowing what to do with them.
I turned to Google for help and found several ways on how to make a stone into a piece of wearable ornament. One of them is wrapping the object with a wire.
I was introduced to a whole new world when I watched YouTube tutorials on wire wrapping jewelries . And I got hooked!
My favorite stone finds is the one that resembles the map of Illinois. Quite a rare find I must say. What are the chances of finding a stone like this?
On YouTube I stumbled upon a wire wrapping design using the theme of the “Tree of Life” and I fell in love with it. I started my Tree of Life design using the Great Lakes stone finds. And as I review the meaning of the “Tree of Life” in the Bible, all the more I was convinced that I must do it. The Tree of Life is a symbol of God’s life-giving presence and the fullness of eternal life in GOD.


I practiced my wire-wrapping skills making other pieces of jewelries using synthetic gemstones like plastic and acrylic. I also use glass and metals.
While preparing for our New England tour In the Fall of 2021 I made my wife several pieces of earrings and pendants to match her outfits. Then I thought of making more to bring to our bus tour. I had enough pieces to give to all the ladies on our tour bus!
Oh boy! Did I become popular among the ladies in the tour bus for giving away free jewelries? You bet!!! The best part was seeing them wear my creations. I was inspired to continue honing my new art skill because people like and appreciate them.
I was determined to be good at it. All my free hours were dedicated to making the Tree of Life pendants.
On Thanksgiving 2021, I made Tree of Life pendants for all my children and grandchildren and did a little ceremony when I distributed the ornaments.
On Christmas 2021 I made several earrings and pendants intended for selling as Christmas gifts. My wife sold a number of them to her fellow nurses at the hospital and my daughter Gilda sold several pieces at Cryoplus Wellness. A Dad bought Tree of Life pendants for his wife and children.
I posted my work on Facebook and Instagram and many people had good words about the Tree of Life pendant. My sister and friend Victoria Venuso noticed the ornament and showed them to her relatives who were then looking for “something” for the Santos Family Grand reunion in the Philippines. They like the Tree of Life pendant. I was commissioned to make 500 pieces! I’m glad to say that I have fulfilled the order and they ready for delivery!
Did my fingers ache turning and twisting those wires? Oh yes they did! But the joy in my heart making them surpassed the pain in my hands.
As a matter of fact I made more! I came up with a good inventory to start selling my wares online. In time for Mother’s Day 2022, I created a gift package for Mothers featuring the Tree of Life Pendant plus a jar of scented candle and a jar of body scrub. I thought the MOM whom I call a WOW- Woman of Wonder deserves a special gift like this!
This is now available to purchase at my website: http://treeoflifegallery.com
Proceeds on the sale of any of my Tree of Life products will fund the charity works of GOD IS LOVE Ministry. Our current project is the construction of classrooms at Philippine Wesleyan Bible College. GOD laid this burden in my heart while twisting wires. These thoughts ran in my head: Why am I doing this? Am I doing this for my own benefit? What else do I need in my life when GOD is faithfully providing all my needs? Even more than what ask and think of!
Therefore, when you purchase the Tree of Life products you are contributing to God’s work in the Philippines.
I also do commission work. A friend asked me towire wrap her stones and she was very happy with what I made.
This one is the biggest Tree of Life ornament I ever made so far. It’s for a mother with seven children. When it’s done it will have 7 charms bearing the initials of the seven children.
myJOURNEY 