Monday, March 23, 2009

Teaming Up to Make A Difference

Kim Svoboda of North Shore Clay and Patti Rowray, Owner of the Mocha Moose, just south of Two Harbors, Minnesota on Scenic 61 have teamed up to help fight the leading cause of pain and disability in America, arthritis.

I was surprised when I learned that there are over 100 forms of arthritis and have realized that most people aren't aware of the devastation that chronic pain can bring not only to the individual living with arthritis, but also to the community at large.

I live with three forms of arthritis myself and what started as a therapy has turned into a passion named North Shore Clay. As I work the clay with my hands I am often inspired by not only my journey through physical and emotional pain, but also the pain of millions of others who live with chronic pain on a daily basis from arthritis like me.

My hope is to inspire others to believe that some measure of healing can be achieved through art. Art will not cure chronic pain, but it can give you an outlet for the expression of your pain and your feelings.

When I met Patti Rowray of Mocha Moose and she saw my clay necklaces and pendants, she wanted to have them in her gift shop! And as fate would have it, Patti has a personal connection with arthritis as well, her father has arthritis and her sister-in-law has rheumatoid arthritis and Patti completed a 26.2 mile marathon on December 5, 2000 for Joints in Motion raising funds for the Arthritis Foundation.

So North Shore Clay and The Mocha Moose are teaming up to make a difference in the lives of those with arthritis and inspire others that live with chronic pain that some measure of healing can begin with art!

A portion of the proceeds of these beautiful handmade clay necklaces made by Kim of North Shore Clay and sold at the Mocha Moose will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation.

"I may have pain, but it doesn't have me."
Kim Svoboda
North Shore Clay