Chael Jewelry: How It Began

The Job

Ever wonder how these brands and stores come into existence? Maybe some were created from a hobby found during the pandemic, or perhaps it's a lifelong dream that was finally acted upon. Well, neither of these was the case for the creator and owner of Chael. Get ready for a bit of a story!

Christie was working in a remote position for an online publishing company that created resources for education. Having been in a remote job before, she loved the ability to work from anywhere in the world. This was a freedom she needed for her heart and her mental health. Being able to work from the beach or even in a new hotel room does something for the soul, breaking up the monotony of being at home or working from a cubicle. She would often have the ability to work from various racetracks all over the U.S. - cars. But though she enjoyed who she worked for, there were several issues that she couldn't work past, especially when it came to the company's integrity in addressing issues. She found that her moral compass didn't align with the publication business, so she walked away. She had been working from a boat at the time, which seemed to lessen the blows and disappointment. Little did she know that a life-changing event would impact everything four days later.

The Meeting

Two days before the event (which you will learn about soon), Christie met with her good friend, Notra, who has been counseling her since her dad's passing in 2016. They joined a session via zoom, Christie sitting in her car while it was pouring rain and Notra from her home in Colorado. Christie sadly explained all the twists and turns that occurred the last few weeks at her job and why she decided to leave. The rain outside reflected how she felt on the inside. As you can imagine, her anxiety was extremely high as she recounted everything, worried about finding a new job. Notra encouraged her and reminded her that this stepping stone would be used for the next. This helped calm our owner tremendously. Yet you should know that such peace did not last long. Notra then told Christie that it was now time to create her own with all the talents God had gifted her with. Stunned, Christie's heart rate went from normal to pounding out of her chest again. This is not how she wanted this session to go.....

Christie thought about how hard it was to be a contracted worker in a panic. Dental insurance. Medical insurance. Eye care insurance. The rates are horrible for those who decide not to work for a company. She then had a blank stare as she felt her mind was trapped on a rat wheel. She could not think of anything to pursue and had no idea where to start. After years in Special Education at public and charter schools, she was burnt out of fighting a broken system that didn't want to be fixed. Her charcoal artwork would never be sufficient enough to provide an income. She had a wedding planning business, but COVID restrictions still lingered and made planning less enjoyable for everyone involved. There was nothing, absolutely nothing, that made her heart happy during those moments of her wheels turning. Notra, having no idea that she raddled her dear friend, encouraged Christie to write down possible ideas and share them the next time they met. Little did Notra know that Christie had different plans. She was determined to fix her resume, apply to a million jobs, and have several opportunities to choose from by the next meeting. She would show Notra that this wild idea of creating a business was silly and that God had something better than that for her. Yet have you heard the saying that when we make plans, God laughs? Trust us. God was shaking his head because He knew exactly what was to come.

The Accident

Two days later, it was a beautiful Saturday morning. Christie and her best friend got ready and left to pick up another friend, staying near the boat. They would all be heading to the racetrack, where she would meet up with her mom, dad, niece, and nephew. Christie hadn't been driving as she planned on using the car mirror to finish getting ready. They had just finished eating Chick-fil-a biscuits and giggling about some random topic when Christie heard her friend shout. Turning to see what he was shouting at, she immediately screamed. Another driver did not yield and made a left hand turn out in front of them. They were traveling about 50 miles an hour when they hit the side of the driver's door and were spun in the opposite direction, facing on-coming traffic. Everything went black as the sounds of metal and glass shattered around them. By the time the smoke from the airbag cleared, Christie was hysterical. She didn't know it yet, but she had a busted nose, third-degree burns on her hands, a bruised chest, and several herniated discs. Her best friend had countless bruises and broken his back. They would never make it to the track, and life would never be the same.

Not long after his back surgery, Christie's friend suffered over twenty blood clots in his lungs and legs due to bone cement left behind during his procedure. He should not be alive. No one survives one blood clot, let alone over twenty. But he did. He has had four surgeries total since the accident. Christie continues her journey of recovery with extensive doctor's appointments and therapy.

The Pieces

So, where does Chael fit in all this chaos? Well. After her friend survived his clots, Christie wanted to find a ring for July, his birthday. An avid jewelry lover and collector, she had always wanted a Burmese ruby but never thought she could obtain one. Well. She got not only one but two! This led Christie down a beautiful rabbit hole in which she realized she could take her passion and knowledge for jewelry and share it with others. As if the heavens opened, she knew this was the business meant for her.

Chael is named after her miracle friend, which means "Who is like God" or "heavenly messenger." Every piece is carefully crafted and selected for individuals who want to pass their jewelry from generation to generation. Christie desires timeless designs because we know the best jewelry never goes out of style. And as a means of showing love and light through serving others, she has ensured that 10% of every purchase goes directly to a Grade A charity. We will dig into these charities and branding in future blogs; until then - we hope you feel closer and more connected to Chael! Never be afraid to follow the unbeaten path and take risks, especially when life takes you down winding roads.

Xox, Chael