Estelle Vernon Designs

10/12/2026

I’m a 30 year Breast Cancer Survivor who had 12 positive lymph nodes-not cheaper by the dozen.

Because of my networking, I was introduced to the woman who became my guardian angel and who directed me to Duke Cancer Institute.

I joined a clinical trial at Duke which has resulted in my good health and 30 year survivorship (so far).

In an effort to pay it forward, I hold a pearl fundraiser for Brest Cancer Research at Duke each fall.
20% of the purchase price of pink pearls
10% of the purchase price of white and
Tahitian pearls
will be donated to the Duke Cancer institute for breast cancer research.

Comment “pink” and I’ll send you the direct link to my pearl collection or grab the link in my bio

Share this post with people who care about supporting breast cancer research.

09/28/2026

Join me at the 19 th annual JRACraftDay, Saturday, December 5 at the Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase, Maryland. Admission and parking are free. See all the details at the link https://www.jracraftday.org

JRADay is my only out of studio show this fall. I’d love to see you there.

Share this post with people who would like to know about the show.

09/27/2026

JRA day is my only show outside of the Torpedo Factory Art Center this fall. Come see me at the Women’s Club of Chevy Chase. This is a wonderful small show with free admission and parking.

The JRACraft Day artist of the day is jeweler Estelle Vernon. Her work is influenced by nature and the unique textures she’s captured in her photographs while traveling and she creates elegant, modern pieces that are distinctive and versatile. She is one of 43 artists whose work you can see – and buy! – at the 19th annual JRACraft Day, Saturday, December 5 at the Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase. Admission and parking are free, so it’s easy to shop handmade for the holidays. See all the details at the link. http://www.jracraftday.org

09/24/2026

It’s hard for me to believe that 30 years ago today, I received my breast cancer diagnosis. Yes, my world was turned upside down. I still had a 12 year son at home with me. My older children were already launched. We had just received my son’s Bar Mitzvah date of June 7, 1997. Would I be healthy enough to go ahead with keeping that date?

I am eternally grateful to my family, doctors, nurses, and friends who got me through my treatment. Without their love and care, my story may have had a different outcome.

Now through October, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’ll share more of my story in the hope of helping others. I’ve found that networking was an important element of my survival. It was through networking that I was connected to the Duke Cancer Institute and the amazing I Be Lola👐✌️ who were instrumental in informing me of my treatment choices through Duke.

I’m holding a pearl fundraiser through October 31 for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 20% of the sales price of pink pearl jewelry and 10% of white and Tahitian pearl jewelry will be donated to the Duke Cancer Institute for breast cancer research. This is one way of giving back to the hospital that saved my life. I want to pay it forward as it had been done for me.

09/09/2026

30 years ago today, I found a breast lump that would turn my world upside down.

I was 47 years old with a 12-year old son, at home, who had just received his Bar Mitzvah date for June 1997. My older children were launched, leaving my youngest at home with us to contend with a breast cancer diagnosis on a daily basis.

1996-1997 was a difficult year for my family and me. During grueling treatments and hospitalizations for low blood counts, I knew I had to persevere. My survival was paramount. I was determined to be present at my son’s Bar Mitzvah. 

Through networking (you never know who your friends know), I was introduced to the Duke Cancer Institute where I joined a clinical trial and received outstanding treatment, which saved my life.

Because of all that Duke Cancer Institute means to me and my family, I’m holding a pearl fundraiser in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

20% of the sales price of pink pearl jewelry and 10% of white and Tahitian pearl jewelry will be donated to the Duke Cancer Institute for breast cancer research. This is one way of my giving back to the hospital that saved my life.

Are you planning a pearl jewelry purchase this fall? Join me in supporting breast cancer research by purchasing pearl jewelry from Wearable Art Jewelry | Keum Boo | Pearls

Comment pink pearls and I’ll send you the link to my pearl collection.

09/08/2026

I’m grateful to report that my breast cancer annual check up at Duke Cancer Institute went well. I get another year off for good behavior. I’ll return next year for my annual check up.

It amazes me that I’m approaching my 30 th anniversary of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Great medical care and a fabulous clinical trial got me to where I am today- healthy with a creative jewelry business I never thought I’d have.

I remember how important it was for me to feel and look good while I was in treatment. Getting dressed, wearing makeup and jewelry made me feel more normal during a time that was anything but normal.

My goal Wearable Art Jewelry | Keum Boo | Pearls is to help people feel good about themselves with the handcrafted jewelry they wear.

Are you looking for something special for yourself or someone special? I’d love to help. Drop a yes in comments and I’ll DM you to get the conversation started.

07/27/2026

I’m wearing these oxidized rectangular bar earrings with white freshwater pearls today. Easy to wear and perfect for all my summer outfits especially my black and white outfits. https://estellevernon.com/products/oxidized-rectangular-pearl-bar-earrings-with-medium-bar

DM me for the clickable link

06/29/2026

I’m back in the studio after an anniversary weekend away. I’ve got this new blue chalcedony ring set up for soldering, which I prefer to do at home where it’s quiet. Imagine doing technically precise work when people are walking into your studio when your back is turned away from them.

Blue chalcedony is an opaque quartz gemstone. It is considered the “speakers stone” and tied to serenity, communication, and emotional balance. I’m drawn to the soft blue color.
I wonder if I’m drawn to the stone because my master’s degree is in speech pathology and audiology.

Are you drawn to this gemstone too? Let me know in comments.

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06/19/2026

Rick and I attended the most beautiful wedding last Saturday.

It was fun dressing up. I especially love seeing Rick wearing his oxidized Yellowstone brooch with keum boo on his suit. He is always my best model.

Does your guy wear a brooch? Let me know in comments.

06/07/2026

Today is National Cancer Survivors day June 7, 2026. It’s a time to celebrate life and cancer survivorship.

It’s also a day to thank all the caregivers, medical professionals, and cancer researchers who helped make our survival possible.

At the age of 47, I was diagnosed with multi node positive breast cancer. With the help of networking and the amazing , I was referred to the amazing  where I joined a clinical trial.

My successful treatment allowed me to enjoy the marriage of my three children, birth of 9 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and create beautiful jewelry.

I continue to support the Duke Cancer Institute and the work they do to care for patients and research the next best treatment.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, I hold an annual pearl fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research.

Want to be kept in the loop, DM me for a direct link to my VIP family sign up form or grab the link in my profile.