03.20.17 The Wright Stuff

Photo credit: Rebecca Kohout

We live on a beautiful tree lined street in an old central Austin neighborhood...before it was subdivided, the property was a dairy farm.  At the end our block is a small Epsicopal church, and in addition to their main building and fellowship hall, they own a historic two story Victorian home known as the "Wright House".

We moved into our home in the early 1990s, and became neighbors with the Wright House - and the non-profit HIV/AISD wellness center housed there.


Both the church and the wellness organization grew over time; the church took back the house as office space, and the Wright House organization moved to larger quarters, but kept the name.

By now you know that this story has something to do with jewelry - so here's the connection - one of the most satisfying things I can do with my jewelry is donate a piece, or the proceeds from a sale, to a good cause...and this time that cause is the Hill Country Ride for Aids Wright House team.

Hill Country Ride for Aids (HCRA) is a great organization, and my husband - an avid cyclist - has been participating for a few years, and rides with Team Wright House.




Held every April, HCRA is the largest fundraiser in Central Texas for HIV/AIDS services. The Ride raises funds that are given directly to ten Austin/Central Texas nonprofits who help those in our community affected by HIV/AIDS. Since it's inception 17 years ago, the Ride has raised over $8 million. Each team holds fundraisers, and this year I've created a special pendant which will be auctioned off on March 25, at the Team Wright House event being held at the Salado Glassworks.


I knew I wanted to create a special Love Note because hearts are an important theme for the HCRA organization and the Ride. I chose a Rainbow Calsilica (the rainbow flag being the emblem of gay pride and unity) and put a house on the reverse.

As I've said before - creating art for good helps me feel like making jewelry is about more than just pretty things - it's a way for me to make a contribution to causes and organizations that matter.

I encourage you to learn more about - and contribute to - HCRA, the Wright House, and the other organizations supported by the ride.

Until next time.