Living in the  moment

Meet Nina Leon,
Artist of Amoena's 2007 breast cancer awareness pin.

Art has been a passion of Nina Leon's for as long as she can remember.  With a degree in fine arts, she is very much involved in expressing herself through the use of water colors or oil paints.  It is, however, her wearable art that has been the focus of her work for several years.

Nina's attention to detail, a keen sense of historic significance, and an eye for beauty combine to make Leon an artist creating work that melds contemporary sensibilities wiht the craftsmanship of a forgotten era.

Although she ws diagnosed with breast cancer over 10 years ago, Nina was no stranger to the disease.  Her father had breast cancer three times and told her that outlook and attitude was the key to survival.  She finds that a sense of humor, plus paying attention to just how many women are surviving breast cancer, help her to stay positive.  In fact, she keeps a mental list of women like Shirley Temple Black, Linda Ellerbee, Julia Childs, and marsha Wallace as a constant reminder that most women only face the disease once - and live years and years beyond their diagnosis.

Nina choose a butterfly motif as an artistic expression for Amoena's 2007 breast cancer awareness pin based on symbolism.  "Not only is it a sign of rebirth, a butterfly is able to dance on the wind and soar high above the ground.  They are free and spirited, providing us with an amazing sense of wonder, beauty, and childlike joy.  As far as we can tell, they aren't worried about how long thie lifespan happens to be, they are simply living in the moment!  I felt the pink ribbons work perfectly in the spread wings by expressing a sense of expansive delicacy, innocence, and unfettered freedom."

Ms. Leon has been included in many gallery shows, and has been a finalist in major beading contests.  This year she won the Silver Medal for Fire Mountain Gems.  Nina also teaches beading workshops and frequently conducts trunk shows for breast cancer survivors at Shapes and Lace in Springfield, Pa.  Nina and her husband Ken, live in Broomall, Pennsylvania.

The 2007 limited edition pin "Wings of Life" will be available in September 2007 at participating Amoena retailers.  Net proceeds from the pin are donated to breast cancer support organizations across the country.  In 2006, Amoena's "Comfort here" pin raised over $19,000 which was granted to 18 organizations.

To find an Amoena retailer near you, visit the store locator on TheBreastCancerSite.com or call 1-800-741-0078.

Article originally published - Amoena Life - In the Spotlight, pg. 23