Jul 27, 20224 min read

Meet Tina of Story Bracelets. Featured Woman in Small Business.

Updated: May 10, 2023

Featured on pages 146-149 of Our Story Magazine • Summer 2022 • Issue No.3

Our Story Magazine • Winter 2021-2022 • Featured woman in small business. Nyalee MIller of Wholly Formed. — [PHOTO: Tina Ricks of Story Bracelets—featured woman in small business. Our Story Magazine • Summer 2022]

It's an honor to introduce you to Tina Ricks as she shares about her small business, Story Bracelets —Handmade personalized bracelets.

Tina is a wife and girl mom living in Virginia. She believes everyone has a story to tell and each bracelet is customized and handmade in hopes to spread the gospel.

Tina pours her heart into every creation and finds great joy in working with each person individually to create the vision of the perfect bracelet. Tina says, her favorite part is hearing her customers' stories!

You may follow Tina's journey on Instagram, where she showcases many of her delightful pieces. She is often adding new designs and creative ways for us to share our own stories.

Wholly Formed: Handmade clay earrings and accessories - whollyformed.etsy.com. Photo used with permission. — [PHOTO: Page 146 of Our Story Magazine, Summer 2022. Tina Ricks of Story Bracelets.]

[PHOTO: Page 147 of Our Story Magazine (Spring 2022 • Digital Edition). Featured woman in small business—Tina Ricks of Story Bracelets Bracelets - storybraceletsbyhd.etsy.com.] — [PHOTO: Page 147 of Our Story Magazine, Summer 2022. Tina Ricks of Story Bracelets.]

Continue below as Tina shares her story with us of why she began Story Bracelets.

[PHOTO: Our Story Magazine • Summer 2022 • Featured woman in small business. Tina Ricks of Story Bracelets.]

Find Tina and her shop online: Etsy Shop storybraceletsbyhd.etsy.com Instagram @shecreatespraising

Story Bracelets with Tina Ricks

Excerpt from page 148-149 of Our Story Magazine: Summer 2022.

My name is Tina Ricks. The name Tina means follower of Christ. I am a wife, girl mom, lover of Jesus, my family, fitness, and living a life to help build the kingdom, pleasing to God.

I resigned as a pediatric dental hygienist to become a stay-at-home-mom and to homeschool our girls in a home that serves the Lord with a Bible-based curriculum. During this time, I became a trainer specializing in pre/post-natal fitness. And now, I am the owner and creator of Story Bracelets and Garments of Praise (Christian apparel).

One of my absolute favorite things to do is study the Bible and talk to other women about the Word of God. The Truth! Everything is rooted in Scripture, and I love to share how the Lord moves and works in our everyday lives. From marriage, motherhood, parenting and homeschooling, I discuss common topics we moms share and how we can use the Bible as our weapon.

Nyalee handmaking Wholly Formed treasures - whollyformed.etsy.com. Photo from page 140 of Our Story Magazine Issue No.1. Used with permission. — [PHOTO: Tina handmaking Story Bracelet treasures - storybraceletsbyhd.etsy.com. Story Bracelet theme verse - Psalms 34:4 NASB. Photos from page 148-149 of Our Story Magazine Issue No.3. Used with permission.]

The verse that inspired Story Bracelets.

Psalm 34:4 is the lifeline to how story bracelets began. Many of us think this verse is about God giving us what we ask for, but that idea is far from the truth. God wants our hearts to seek Him alone. He wants us to know that His desires are for us, and how better to understand that than to delight ourselves in Him. If someone had asked me years ago, “Do you see jewelry making in your future?” the answer would have been no. But I thank God for where He has placed me!

The story behind the bracelet that started it all.

During the summer of 2020, I had a vision of a bracelet set that I wanted. I searched for something like it, but I came up empty. The bracelet had to be gold and black with the letters YESHUA, and I remember thinking, My mom could make it if only she were still here. Designs by Allie was her small handmade jewelry business she ran from home. Truth be told, she gave away more than she sold because that’s just the kind of woman she was—a giver. But sadly, my mom passed away unexpectedly in 2016.

I was at a gathering in August that year, and I remember this lady admiring the bracelet I was wearing (my mom had made it). So, I did what I knew my mom would do, and I gave it to her. My only request was that she take extra special care of it. The lady was so grateful with tears of joy. And in that moment God spoke to me, saying, “That bracelet you want? Make it. The creativity is already in you…I put it there!”

Story Bracelets launched in September 2020.

The first collection released was “The Allie” Collection. I chose the name because everyone has a story to tell, one that should be shared and inspire. The Story Bracelets logo is simple—a purple heart because my mom loved hearts and the color purple. Each bracelet is customized and handmade in hopes to spread the gospel. I pour my heart into every creation. I find great joy in working with each person individually to create the vision of the perfect bracelet. The best part is hearing the testimonies! I have made bracelets for those who have suffered loss, those who have hope, those who need encouragement, and those who just need a simple reminder of who God is to them.

I give all the praise and glory to Him for giving me the hands to make such beautiful pieces for people to wear and to be bold in their faith while honoring my mom and continuing her legacy.

Etsy Shop: storybraceletsbyhd.etsy.com

Instagram: @shecreatespraising