While her husband, Dr. Lawrence Stein, an Arlington physician and pulmonologist, is treating patients in his office and also working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Virginia Hospital Center caring for critically ill patients – including those with Covid-19 – Suzanne Stein is at home creating unique jewelry for her own business that includes bracelets, wine glass charms and knitting stitch markers. Because 2020 is an election year, she also sells political bracelets. Suzanne Stein has been designing jewelry for 15 years and sells her pieces at local shows, stores, and on Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeadEeye).
Recognizing the seriousness of the current pandemic, Stein understands the significant effects of dealing with this dangerous and deadly virus and the profound impact it has had on all healthcare workers including her husband.
“I am proud of him for working during this pandemic, especially with his advanced skills in pulmonary and critical care medicine. I also worry about his health and becoming infected,” she said.
Stein decided to make bracelets as gifts for the nurses and medical professionals in the ICU at Virginia Hospital Center. “I am happy to be using my jewelry business to donate bracelets to the medical professionals working in the hospital. With his very busy schedule, it has given me the time to be creative and show my appreciation,” she said.
Stein produced 60 bracelets that are made of colorful plastic glass beads, and each bracelet has the word, “Hero” on it. She plans to add as many as an additional 40 bracelets to that count. She created them in a variety of colors and designs to appeal to every taste. “I felt good making the bracelets and donating them to the heroes of today who have risked their lives saving others and to make those working in the medical profession feel that they are greatly appreciated. It’s just my way of thanking them,” said Mrs. Stein.
Karen L. Bune is an Adjunct Professor at Marymount University in Arlington, VA.