Jamie Michelle Israel has many facets to her life. I have had the extreme pleasure of knowing Jamie for 7 years now and in those years have witnessed her in all forms a human can experience: the lows, the highs and the in-between. Jamie went from bedridden, unable to walk, and having seizures to becoming a successful business woman all while fighting a complex illness: Late State/Chronic Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease and the co-infections carried in a variety of ticks, can render a patient immobile if it is not treated properly or in adequate time. The disease quickly took over Jamie’s life and at one point she even became homeless due to the expenses of the disease. Sadly the illness is not covered by insurance companies and patients are forced to find ways to treat themselves.
Due to the difficulty Lyme Disease created in Jamie’s world, she found herself searching for ways to make money to support her treatments for her life survival.
During this chaotic and extremely trying time, Israel came up with the idea of creating one of her life long passions: handmade jewelry. She realized she could produce custom jewelry from her bed when needed and designing it gave her the freedom to have her own schedule when her symptoms caused debilitating times. For Jamie, this had become her only option. Little did she know her tribulations would lead her to triumph and success.
This moment of pure survival is what started James Michelle Jewelry.
As she began to create each piece, she sold more and more on media sites such as Pinterest and Etsy giving her the opportunity to find a place to live. It also helped her with medications and supplements, extending her life.
Today, despite her intense symptoms, Jamie Israel continues to be an uplifting, shining soul for all who meet her. Although her life has been extremely difficult, she continues to push through showing us all that we truly can do anything we desire regardless of our circumstances. Jamie is someone we can all learn from as she helps us see that even when a person feels they are at the very bottom, when you keep dreaming, anything truly is possible.
Jamie thank you for joining us today here at Sonic Eclectic to share some of your incredible story with our viewers.
Q) Can you give the readers a little personal information they may not know about you?
A) I am a mother to an incredible 9 year old. I absolutely love to make jewelry to the point that I dream about it regularly. I love to go for long drives. I love to snowboard, run, wake-board but I’m currently missing out on those activities in my life because of my illness. I enjoy reading books & love to have real life talks with friends. I’m super interested in people that have been through something or people that have real problems. I am an open book and get along really well with others that are too.
I don’t regret anything because at one point it was exactly what I wanted.
Q) How long have you battled Lyme Disease and the co-infections you were diagnosed with? Are you currently in remission or in treatment for the infections?
A) I have had Lyme disease for 8 years. I have never been in remission. I have been off of treatment for 3 years now. I was on oral abx (antibiotics) for 5 years and a PICC line for 1 year.
(*A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC or PIC line) is a form of intravenous access that can be used for a prolonged period of time to administer various medications)
Q) How do you juggle the symptoms when creating?
A) I am not sure how I juggle symptoms while creating honestly. I lay down a lot and I continue to push through. Sometimes when the pain is really bad, I like to make jewelry because it takes my mind away from it a little. I have to wear earplugs a lot because hammering the metal irritates my nervous system.
(*Lyme Disease is known to create havoc on the central nervous system and can cause sensory issues in patients)
Q) In a sense, your art has saved your life. Do you have any words or a quote you’d like to pass along to others about creating and how it may help them to bring art into their treatment plans?
A) Creating jewelry definitely saved my life. I know that if I hadn’t have been sick in bed I would not of had the time to think about what I really wanted. It gave me the space to open up a whole new world. It gave me so much more than I could have imagined.
One of my motto’s in life is that I believe we are all connected and here to help one another.
My favorite quote is- “I am you, you are me. I am the waves, you are the ocean. Know this and be free…..”
Q) James Michelle Jewelry originated from you learning to create as you were battling Lyme Disease. Over the past year it has been featured in your local newspaper, a variety of magazines and your work has been worn by several celebrities. Your work was worn by one of the final two contestants, Clare Crawley, on this past season of “The Bachelor.” Crawley wore your hand-stamped necklace in nearly every episode of the reality TV show and it quickly became part of her signature look.
Has this publicity changed how you view yourself as an artist?
A) Over the past year my jewelry has been featured onLisa Vanderpump of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Pandora Vanderpump, Stassi Schroeder of Vanderpump Rules, Kenzi Hall of American Idol and many more.
I think it has changed how I view myself a little, “Like, wow, my jewelry must be nice if celebrities are wearing it.”
I wish my (late) Mother was here because she would be so proud of me. I always want to call her and tell her.
I think we all can question ourselves, “like are we good enough?” I mean I still do!!
James Michelle Jewelry has been circulating the press over a variety of networks.
It has been featured in OHBaby! Magazine, New Zealand’s #1 Mother and Baby Magazine along with The Divine Addiction by Pandora, several blogs and online magazines such as The Funky Monkey and Lunch Pails and Lipstick.
Q) Crawley contacted you regarding your elegant gold bar necklace and you guys were able to speak for about an hour. What was it like speaking directly to the celebrity? Can you share with us what is engraved on the necklace you designed for her?
A) Yes, Clare contacted me and it wasn’t weird talking to her at all. She was very kind and just a regular girl. Her necklace was engraved with the word Creer which means believe in Spanish. I think.
(*Creer is Spanish for “believe”)
Q) Shortly after the finale of The Bachelor, when Googled “Clare Bachelor” the third option was “necklace” because of the hype of your gold bar necklace that she wore throughout the season. Your necklace quickly became her signature piece. Other companies (e.g. Initial Obsession by purple mermaid designs) are attempting to sell your design, claiming her necklace can be purchased by them. Can you set the record straight letting readers know Crawley purchased her now famous necklace from your company and that it was created with your own two hands? Do you have anything to say about how other companies are reacting to your design growing into the media world and attempting to essentially steal your design?
A) I cannot get mad about these other companies claiming it was theirs. Its all part of the world. Of course, I don’t think its right but I can’t spend my energy worrying about it. People know that it was my design. And I know it was mine so that is all that counts.
Q) How has this recent public media self-esteem booster effected your illness? I am aware that even excitement can be a trigger to your CNS (central nervous system) especially with Lyme Disease. Has your company expanding quickly and the media attention changed your health?
A) The media attention hasn’t really changed me. My company had already succeeded before the media hype. My sales were already awesome. But it (the publicity) was awesome and it’s always awesome to meet the celebrities that have worn my jewelry.
My success is based on 5 years of mornings and nights of full dedication. Blood, sweat & tears. My back definitely hurts a little from always being bent over.
Q) After James Michelle Jewelry began to expand your health unfortunately took a turn for the worse. How has this effected your life and your creativity?
A) Yes, I did relapse really bad 5 ½ months ago. I was pretty down for the count. I was bedridden for 8 weeks. I could work for an hour at most a day. I’m doing better now but definitely not as well as before. I have great friends and employees that help me out so much and they all understand my days and what I endure. That is priceless. I feel so grateful to have that in my life.
Q) What is currently the most difficult challenge Lyme Disease has caused in your art and what helps or inspires you continue to push through?
A) The most difficult challenge is that I have is training girls to do an art. Its a lot different than just a regular job. You are learning a trade. I run out of steam talking to employees , then I have to still make jewelry. Its a very hard balance for me. I actually just made a necklace that says balance on it. Hoping it brings me some of that!!
Thank you Jamie for giving us a glimpse into your life. You have always been an inspiration to those you meet. I will forever be grateful our lives crossed paths. No matter what you are going through, you maintain an optimistic view and for that, we are all grateful. The world could use more of the positive energy you emit. It was an honor to speak with you and we look forward to seeing more of your success stories as you grow as an artist and in your health.
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Jamie took a series of photos with Eastburn Photography (Joseph Eastburn) about 19 months ago to depict her journey. The photo is incredibly powerful and shows the side to Jamie’s health that is typically hidden behind her daily smiles.
Photography by Joseph Eastburn
“This picture portrays the pain and hopelessness I endured. I was connected to this pole for a year straight pumping my heart full of 10 full bags of antibiotics fighting for my life 4 years ago. I lived in 8 different homes in a 2 year period. I lost my marriage and my life to a tiny little tick. I wanted to die. The pain was unbearable but the loneliness was even more unbearable. I still suffer everyday and always wondering what I should do. How can I get better? But it’s easier now having love and support. If you get bit by a tick, don’t just pull it off and go about your business. Find a Lyme doctor. A real LYME doctor. It’s a controversial disease so some doctors don’t believe in it. Make sure you take antibiotics even if you don’t feel sick because it doesn’t always show up right away. If you feel sick and are going from doctor to doctor with no answers you may have been bit and contracted it and don’t even know. Ticks release a numbing agent while attached so you cannot feel them biting you. Knowledge is POWER!!!”
www.jamesmichelle.com
www.facebook.com/pages/James-Michelle-Jewelry
For more on Eastburn’s Photography depicting Jamie’s journey
http://www.eastburnphoto.com
To read more about Jamie’s journey from her local newspaper’s recent article click on the link below:
http://www.bendbulletin.com/home/1953170-151/business-shines-for-bend-jewelry-maker