Jennifer Clarkson Killin of JKillin Jewelry has certainly found a way to combine her talent for making jewelry with her passion for animal rescue.
Her current foster dog, Lili has had ongoing medical issues which resulted in one of her legs being amputated. She is still receiving ongoing treatment for lesions on her paws that just don’t seem to want to heal. In spite of the extensive testing she has received, the cause of Lili’s condition remains unknown. The full story can be found here.
I met Jennifer and her foster pit bull Lili at CT Pit Bull Awareness Day and learned of Lili’s story. Jennifer has since created a Facebook page for Lili (Lili Belle the Tripod Pit Bull). The hope is that giving Lili a page of her own will help raise some funds for her medical costs which have already exceeded $20,000 (and which Jennifer has paid for out of her own pocket). Jennifer would love to be able to raise enough money to cover half of Lili’s treatment.
I met Jennifer and her foster pit bull Lili at CT Pit Bull Awareness Day and learned of Lili’s story. Jennifer has since created a Facebook page for Lili (Lili Belle the Tripod Pit Bull). The hope is that giving Lili a page of her own will help raise some funds for her medical costs which have already exceeded $20,000 (and which Jennifer has paid for out of her own pocket). Jennifer would love to be able to raise enough money to cover half of Lili’s treatment.
Jennifer began making friendship bracelets as a child, but only got into making jewelry as an adult when she moved to Newtown, CT and started frequenting a local shop called "A Bead of Roses.” She took a few classes and really enjoyed making pieces for herself, her family and her friends. When the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School occurred, jewelry-making became her outlet. She found it very therapeutic. The pieces started piling up; more than she could wear or give away, and it was beginning to get expensive. So, Jennifer decided to open an Etsy shop to help support her "therapy".
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Jennifer has been involved in dog rescue for far longer than she has been making jewelry. She worked as an Adoption Counselor at Animal Humane New Mexico for a year, and continued volunteering for many years after she stopped working there. During this time she was also fostering for Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline, and pulling dogs from a high kill shelter, taking them to obedience classes, and adopting them out on her own.
She also drove the occasional leg of a dog transport, and sometimes over-nighted dogs that were being transported long distances to their new homes. When she and her family moved to Newtown 4 years ago, she started fostering for The Animal Center, and continued driving transport legs on some weekends.
She also drove the occasional leg of a dog transport, and sometimes over-nighted dogs that were being transported long distances to their new homes. When she and her family moved to Newtown 4 years ago, she started fostering for The Animal Center, and continued driving transport legs on some weekends.
About nine months ago Jennifer and her family took in Lili, a pit bull they had previously fostered. Lili was having medical issues and her owners needed some temporary help. It was only supposed to be for a couple of months, but Lili's medical problems worsened, as did her owners' personal and financial troubles. So Jennifer kept Lili, and paid for all her medical expenses out of pocket. Thousands of dollars later, Jennifer decided to see if she could raise some money for Lili by selling jewelry at CT Pit Bull Awareness Day. It was very successful, and she hopes to continue to sell jewelry to support Lili, who still visits the vet weekly. Her Etsy shop is at https://www.etsy.com/shop/JKillinJewelry and she is happy to take orders for custom pieces!
Jennifer will ship items anywhere in the world. She has also donated portions of the proceeds of specific pieces to The Animal Center and the Newtown Action Alliance, two groups with which she is very involved.
While making the rounds at CT Pit Bull Awareness Day this past October, I purchased this bracelet from Jennifer in my favorite colors to help support Lili on her journey to recovery.
For more beautiful designs, please visit Jennifer’s Etsy shop and follow her on Faceboolk (JKillin Jewelry). Also be sure to follow Lili on Facebook and send healing thoughts for a full recovery for this very sweet and very special girl.
I hope you will check out JKillin Jewelry for yourself and for gifts for the holidays or any time of the year. Remember, you will be helping Lili to have the happy and healthy life she deserves.
Thank you Jennifer for all you do for Lili and for volunteering your time and talents to help animals in need. Lili is fortunate to have you on her side!
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