Many people ask the question 'How did you start beading?'...

Most people don't expect the answer that follows. Carriage House beads was the end result of my learning how to bead and make jewelry while my autistic son, Matthew, was working with his therapists. In the early days of Autism, he was receiving 30 hours a week of therapy in the home. It was so hard on both of us. As he would cry and protest, his teachers would assure me that he was ok and encouraged me to go to another room and find something to do. That's when I began to nervously bead away. Ahhhh, it was so relaxing.

Seven years later, I opened Carriage House Bead shop for two reasons. First, obviously my passion for beads and jewelry, but secondly as a great vessel for my son to learn life skills. The interaction with customers has been wonderful in helping with his social skills and he's so excited to "go to work". When he comes in he welcomes customers, and bags and counts beads for me. If you see Matthew, please say hello and he'll welcome you warmly. He may drop some beads, or choose a strange way of asking if you've found what you're looking for, such as "Are you out of money?" Please be patient with him, he is trying so hard and I am very proud of him.

Each month, we'll be featuring a product that will serve as a donation product. Proceeds from each sale will go to Autism Awareness.

Please click any of the links below to learn more about Autism and those who live with it.

Please sign up to be on our email list!

Thank you for reading :)

http://www.autismspeaks.org/

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer

http://www.worldautismawarenessday.org/site/c.egLMI2ODKpF/b.3917065/