Iris Coppola and her daughter, Tracy, share an immense love and respect for companion animals and wildlife. Inspired by one another, mom and daughter have teamed-up and created an original way to benefit the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.
Tracy earned her J.D. and Masters in Environmental Law at Vermont Law School and a B.A. at Yale University. Currently, Tracy is a Program Associate at the wildlife protection and conservation organization, Born Free USA. Coupled with her work on state legislation and policy protecting wildlife, Tracy has been volunteering at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington for five years now.
“I knew I wanted to volunteer for the Animal Welfare League of Arlington,” Tracy says, “to help better the lives of companion animals and to continue my advocacy work in a hands-on way.” In addition to volunteering as a Dog Kennel Assistant, Tracy also contributes her time as part of the Wildlife Aid Brigade. “The goal of Wildlife Aid Brigade,” Tracy states, “is to provide humane solutions that keep wildlife families together.”
Tracy’s passion, participation, and positive stories about the shelter, inspired Iris. “I tried to think of an original way to help the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.” Iris adds, “I wanted to help those little wonders that do not have a voice.”
Iris explains, “Most of my hobbies revolve around my love of animals. I write short stories for children about the natural lives of squirrels, dogs, cats, and birds.” Among woodworking, knitting, cooking, and making clay figurines of the family dogs, Iris also loves photographing baby birds.
“My latest passion is jewelry design.” Iris relates, “I have been designing jewelry for three years and enjoy the originality of this craft.” To meet both her creative and compassionate goals, Iris conceived Jewelry Helps, crafting one-of-a-kind jewelry and donating eighty percent of each sale to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington in support of all their community services.
Working from her home near Leesburg, VA, Iris special-orders all her beads and materials. “I love to work with Joelee's Swarvorski crystal beads. They make all pieces look so elegant.” Iris also favors Blue Moon Beads and elements as well as Regal Beading Guild silver-plated pieces. “All the materials I work with give a timeless essence to the pieces I design.”
Each of Iris’ designs is truly unique. Gifted with designing and evoking a touch of class, her necklace and bracelet designs are refreshingly graceful and feminine. Soft, playful, and stylish, Iris combines diverse elements producing an individual flair for every occasion.
Tracy, who is helping her mom promote Jewelry Helps, summarizes, “Animal advocacy can be overwhelming territory, but this shows that every bit counts.”
Visit JewelryHelps.com. Eighty percent of every sale is donated to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. Email Jewelry inquiries to: jewelryhelps@aol.com
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