My non-coincidental path to Ciorcal Designs.

Over the years, I’ve had a number of different careers. Everything from sales to information technology and most recently being a certified surgical technician. I never quite felt like I had found my calling or purpose. Until now.

For the past few years, I had been increasingly interested in my family’s Scotts-Irish heritage. Digging in to trace my lineage to Northern Ireland and planning a big trip to Ireland caused my soul wanting to be more connected to my family’s home land.

I also started to be exposed to the metaphysical properties of crystals and gemstones. At first, I was a skeptic and didn’t understand how a “rock” could affect me. I did some research. Read some books. Consulted with some smart people. Received some special gifts and bracelets. Opened my mind. Felt the impact. I’m now a believer in what these amazing stones and crystals can offer.

I’ve also been extremely jealous of married couples who could find a career… together. While my wife (Wendy) and I had often thought we probably would not make good business partners, I always had that dream in the back of my mind. We both have creative backgrounds that seemed to have been put on the back burner while our career paths took us down roads that lead us into technical and business-focused jobs.

In October of 2019, my father passed away suddenly. My perspective suddenly changed. My priorities of where I invest my time changed. I quit my job to help care for my mother and needed to find something to inspire and heal my heart after losing my dad.

I researched further into the healing properties of crystals and found inspiration of how I could make my own bracelets. I immediately found “therapy” in how the hours flew by and I was so happy “creating” once again. I would wear my designs out in public and would get unsolicited feedback of how much people loved them. People wanted to know where they could get one just like it. I made some as gifts for special friends who were very kind with compliments.

And, as people often do after a family death, you dig deeper into family heritage. I found out that my Great Grandfather was a Jeweler in a small Iowa community. A photo of him is shown above. Perhaps my heritage and love for jewelry was meant to come together.

So - here I go! Ciorcal Designs has became a reality!

Ciorcal (Chir-cul) means circle in Gaelic. Making the connection of bracelets being a circle and my love of Ireland, we brought the two together for the company’s name.

Based in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, I have some of the best co-workers. Our pups, Nessie (Bernese Mountain Dog) and Finn (Husky/Shepherd Mix), are never far away. Nessie can often be found laying on my feet under my desk while Finn always has to see what I’m doing. Wendy joins me in the evenings and on weekends to help design bracelets and offer her marketing expertise. We put on some good music and have fun creating. My dreams are coming true!

I hope you enjoy our designs and find joy (and perhaps some healing) if you decide to purchase one.

It is my sincere pleasure to share my passion with all of you.