Navy mom turns beads into business

By Jessica Legge
Times West Virginian

FAIRMONT November 25, 2007 02:50 am

— Tammy Nathan took up jewelry making as a hobby and now has her own business, Belle A’Mour Bead Designs.
Nathan, originally from Philippi, has been in the Navy for 19 years. She’s a health care administrator and does a lot of work with medical education and training. She graduated from Fairmont State College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and in 1988 earned her master’s in public administration from West Virginia University.
Nathan has lived and traveled all over the world and currently resides in Norfolk, Va., where she is stationed. Her husband Matt is also on active duty, and they have a 10-year-old daughter named Bobbie.
During her travels to various countries, Nathan saw how different cultures took semi-precious stones and turned them into jewelry or art. She began to research these stones and buy from different stores.
“You can see why I’m fascinated,” she said. “It’s pretty fascinating that the earth can do this.”
She has been making homemade jewelry for about five years. Initially, she gave her items away as gifts and only sold to family and friends. A year ago, Nathan got a West Virginia business license for Belle A’Mour Bead Designs.
Nathan said her college friend Pam Folickman “has been a driving force” in getting the jewelry business established. Nathan’s sister, Penny Booth, has also been a big help along the way, she said.
Necklaces, bracelets, earrings and watches are among the items that Nathan designs. All of her jewelry is sterling silver, gold, or sterling silver-plated and uses semi-precious stones. She orders stones that come in different colors and formations from distributors all over the world.
“I just enjoy it so much,” she said. “My stuff is really quality.”
Nathan’s jewelry is displayed at Mandy’s Artworks, owned by Mandy Steele, in Fairmont. Nathan also hosts private parties at her house to sell jewelry, and gives some items to charities to auction off as a fundraiser. Much of her business comes from word of mouth.
With work and being a mom, it’s sometimes hard for Nathan to find time for her jewelry. She said her daughter helps her quite a bit with her creations.
Nathan plans to stay in the Navy for a few more years, and then retire and concentrate on making and selling her jewelry full-time. She said creating her own accessories is stress relief.
“I love it,” she said. “I just have a passion for it.”
E-mail Jessica Legge at jlegge@timeswv.com.