TiNY Lives: Cynthia Grant

Nicole Sebula

Sterling silver, crystals, pink mother-of-pearl designed not only to form a beautiful locket but also created to help women. The locket, by Cynthia Grant, was designed to help fight the war on breast cancer. With each locket sold, 50% of the proceeds go to the Komen Foundation.

Over the past seven years Cynthia has been creating original one-of-kind pieces for clients such as Kolman Jewelers, Nemacolin Collection, Choices, Collage, Sugar Boutique, and 3rd Street Gallery. It wasn't until three years ago when Cynthia's passion for design turned into a mission to raise money for local charities. Inspired by the book Do Unto Others, written by Dr. Abraham Twerski, Grant wondered what she could "do" to contribute to those in need.

Three years ago, Cynthia contacted Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Pittsburgh branch. Her inspiration, a friend struggling with breast cancer, and her mother-in-law, a 3-time cancer survivor who volunteered her time motivating cancer patients, Cynthia created the "Locket of Love" bracelet to help support the Race for the Cure mission. Cynthia has a new piece that will be launched in May 2008, an additional pink ribbon line titled "Consider the Lilies".

Cynthia not only work designs jewelry for the Komen Foundation, she also designed a piece for the Gateway Rehabilitation Center and the third charity Cynthia is involved with is Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Being a mother of two, she feels very grateful to have access to one of the nations top ten Children's Hospitals.

Cynthia doesn't just stop at making jewelry, through her work with charities she continues to find ways to help those who are suffering. Cynthia was motivated to peruse the ancient Japanese practice of Reiki. During the past year she has become certified as a level II Reiki practitioner. Reiki is the ancient Japanese art of healing and relaxation and is used in many spas and hospitals across the United States. In fact, Grant is involved in a pilot program at Magee Women's Hospital to study the positive effects of Reiki on Chemotherapy patients.

All of her involvement has led Cynthia to establish the White Lotus Reiki Loft, which will be opening May, 2008. It will be located at 53 East Wheeling Street in Washington. She will provide Reiki treatments by appointment and will be offering a variety of products such as hand-made soaps, essential oils and air fresheners, along with organic lotions. All of Grants charity jewelry will be available as well.

Cynthia has recently started an organic line of beauty products. So far the line contains So Zen Lips, So Zen Soap and So Zen Spritzers. So Zen Lips is a luscious lip balm that is crafted with healing organic herbs and nurturing organic oils, providing lasting protection as it softens & moisturizes your lips. So Zen Lips comes in three varities: Citrus, Vanilla & Mint. The So Zen Soap’s base recipe is made from 100% certified organic oils and is purely herbal. The soap is scented with essential oils and colored with organic herbs and plant extracts only. It comes in ten varieties that include: citrus lavender, herb garden, lavender, lemongrass, oatmeal, patchouli, peppermint, pink grapefruit, thyme and unscented. The unscented is perfect for chemotherapy patients or anyone with sensitive skin or an aversion to smells.

On March 22nd Cynthia will be participating in the Susan G. Komen for the cure Survivors Brunch Event. She will be selling her So Zen Organic products as well as jewelry and donating 50% of the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

To find Cynthia's jewelry you can go to cynthiagrantjewelry.com. Each charity has a separate page to show off the jewelry for that charity. To find Cynthia Grant's creations check out her sites, www.compasstar.com, www.neonclockusa.com, www.cynthiagrantjewelry.com, www.reikiforrelaxation.com. The organic body products can be found at www.sozenorganics.com (the site will be up and running at the end of March). You can also contact her at grant@compasstar.com or 724.466.1157 or stop in Collage in the Strip District (2124 Penn Avenue) where Cynthia’s jewelry and organic lines are sold. She might even be there when you stop by.

 

 

 

Nicole Sebula is an editor at The New Yinzer. While not editing TNY, Nicole works full time at the University of Pittsburgh. Recently, Nicole published her first book, entitled My Crazy Life.