Entrepreneur: Cathy Schroeder - Designer
Business: SilverSeraph Custom Jewelry
www.silverseraph.ca

As you can see from my photo, I’m probably a bit older than most of you new moms, but it took me a while to find my calling! My kids are now 15 and 13 and it’s been a fun ride… only getting bumpier now that we’ve reached the teenage years… I hope I’ll survive!

After my daughter was born I took some time off from my very busy job where I did a lot of travelling, to be at home with her. Much to my surprise I loved it! I never thought I’d be a stay-at-home mom but being away from her was so difficult for me that I just couldn’t do my job effectively anymore. So I made the gut-wrenching decision to quit the job I loved and stay home with the daughter I loved more.

My husband, being an avid skier, had always wanted to live in the mountains, so the summer I found out I was pregnant with our second child, we figured it was now or never. We sold our house, packed up and moved to B. C. But the second I got there I knew I wanted to come home. We stayed for two years and our son was born in a little town in the middle of the mountains. With two young children (one of whom never slept!) and without family support, I found it very difficult.

I needed something to keep my sanity and feed my creative urges, so I started making jewelry. I found it very therapeutic (and I still do!). It was something I could do at home while the kids played and get them both involved in. At first it was plastic and seed bead bracelets that the kids loved, but gradually I started making things of better materials that I would wear myself. Once my friends starting seeing my designs, they began asking for individualized pieces.

When we eventually moved back to Oakville and the kids went to school full-time, I thought about going back to work. But by that time I loved making jewelry so much (and I had so many beads they were taking over our house!) that I thought I’d give it a whirl as a business. I’ve never looked back… I love spending my days creating beautiful things that make people happy!

Now I do a lot of custom work and specialize in inspirational pieces that mean something special to the wearer. I only use top-quality materials such as sterling silver, genuine Swarovski crystal, semi-precious stones and hand-made lampwork glass beads.

One of my most popular pieces is the “Mother’s Bracelet”, a sterling silver beaded bracelet with your children’s names and birthstones. Another popular item is the hand-stamped charm necklace… your children’s initials are hand-stamped onto sterling silver disc charms dangling from a sterling chain. I also use word beads, charms and affirmation rings to make bracelets and necklaces to inspire and remind you daily of what’s really important in your life. With Mother’s Day right around the corner, what better gift for your Mom or yourself!

Much of my business is word-of-mouth recommendations, as well as done through home parties and craft shows. What could be more fun than getting your friends together for a glass of wine and trying on jewelry all night? Home party hostesses can earn free jewelry along with having a great time!

SilverSeraph Jewelry specializes in distinctive, one-of-a-kind designs. Each piece is unique and hand-crafted, exclusive to you. Elegant design with the highest quality materials and superior workmanship is what we’re all about. Please visit my website at www.silverseraph.ca to see more.

If you’d like to host a jewelry party or you have an idea for a piece you’d like to create, I’d love to help… just send me an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and tell me what you’re thinking. Together we can create a piece of jewelry that will be distinctly you!

www.silverseraph.ca