Jewelry Designer, Leah Williams, receives help from her dad after an injury leaves her in the hands of her father…literally

 

To every little girl, a tea party with dad is a dream come true. After that, there’s the father-daughter dance and the amazing moment where the father walks his cherished princess down the aisle on her wedding day. But after the little girl grows up, leaves the nest and starts a family of her own, when do those little father-daughter moments comes into play again?

For Leah Williams, owner of Ruby Mae jewelry in Gilbert, her father-daughter moment was rekindled after a slight injury left her and her jewelry business in the hands of her father…literally.

On Christmas Eve last year, she sliced her thumb while preparing Christmas dinner. Doctors told her it would be months before she would be able to grasp a tool again. With orders to fill and an injury to recover from, Williams was out of sorts before her dad stepped in and did what dads to best.

“My dad called and we were just talking, and he said, ‘darlin’, I’d like to help you with your business. I can be your hands, I take direction well, and we can figure this out,’” Says Williams.

 

The jewelry line, which is named after her grandmother and mother, launched last year from recreating old buttons found at vintage stores into fashionable and sentimental pieces of jewelry. Today, Williams and her father, Roger “Jake” Jacobson, work as a team—Williams designs each piece and Jacobson assembles—to create meaningful pieces from abandoned jewelry and buttons.

The duo travels to gem shows around the state and fulfills special orders from people looking to showcase items in a distinctive way. This piece, titled “Kay’s Heroes” is comprised of military buttons from various family members as a tribute to those who serve.

“Working with your kids is a little different than just socializing with them,” Jacobson admits, “and I’m surprised at how much fun it is to work with my daughter—it’s just a hoot.”

Jacobson, a retired aerospace engineer, co-wrote a book with his wife, Patty Mae, about their family. The book, “Dimes Were Hard to Come By”, is available at rubymaejewelry.com.

“My favorite thing about being a dad is being around my kids and my grandkids,” Jacobson says. “My advice to people is never miss an opportunity to work or play with your kids. And I don’t care what age they are, whether they’re a little infant or grown up with kids of their own. That’s what life is all about—family.”

This father-daughter duo proves that the special relationship is always, and will always be there.

For more inofrmation about Ruby Mae Jewelry, visit rubymaejewelry.com.