Meet a Mother on Fire

"I consider myself very blessed to have found my passion. And the fact that my passion is now my work makes it that much more special. I cannot see myself doing anything else with my life."

MOF: What inspired you to design jewellery and open your jewellery store?

Laurie: At a very young age I remember rummaging through my mothers jewellery box. It was a treasure box of necklaces rings and earrings, nothing very expensive but I cherished and held each piece.

As I got older I began doing any kind of craft possible; crochet, macrame, enamel, emroidery, candle making, sewing and bead work. My mother was an artist herself and I suppose art was everywhere.

I studied to be an early childhood educator. After about 3 years working in a daycare I realized that I couldn't do it for the rest of my life. It was then that I started taking jewellery courses privately from a master goldsmith in Banff, Alberta. I eventually moved back to Ontario and pursued my love of jewellery further by enrolling in a 3 year Jewellery and Metals program at Georgian College. Having not finished high school, I took an equivalence test and got accepted as a mature student. I graduated on the Dean’s list. Not bad for a high school dropout.

Making a living at any type of art is not easy. Over the years I worked retail while designing my jewellery. At 37, I decided to find my own studio space. I found the perfect space which had enough room for my studio as well as some space to show and sell my work. I was encouraged to open a store and so in 1998 I opened the doors to Laurie McLachlan Jewellery.

Three years later at the age of 40 I got pregnant with a man I had been in a relationship with for 3 years. Holly was born in 2000 and has been the best thing that has ever happened in my life.

MOF: How did you juggle your career and motherhood when you became a mom?

Laurie: I brought her everywhere with me. At work I had set up a crib. As she got older there was a Jolly jumper hanging in the bathroom doorway. Customers loved it. It brought new meaning to running a family business. Looking back, I can’t remember it being terribly difficult running a shop and raising my daughter. I was doing what I loved and enjoying being a mom. I had all I wanted in life.

MOF: What were your biggest obstacles?

Laurie: When Holly was 2 years old my relationship with her father ended. This was difficult but life went on. I did what was needed to support my daughter. She was the most important thing in my life and I wanted to provide her with everything. It wasn’t easy being a single mom and running my own business but I knew I had to do everything in my power to be successful as mother and a business owner. There just wasn’t another option. My determination and hard work paid off.

MOF: What did you learn?

Laurie: I consider myself very blessed to have found my passion. And the fact that my passion is now my work makes it that much more special. I cannot see myself doing anything else with my life.

I’m also a positive role model for my daughter; this is one of the best gifts I could give her. She has been by my side all these years watching me create and sell my jewellery. She has seen my joy, excitement and enthusiasm when I’m engaged in my work. And now I’ve inspired her to make her own line of jewellery which is displayed in the store! I am touched that we have both found something we really enjoy doing and we have the ability to pursue it.