Jayne's story

Jayne Dearborn has been designing handbags for Designs by Jayne since its inception in April 2006. She began creating handbags as a path to healing from the loss of her son, Max, at age 7 to leukemia. The blue butterfly is her symbol for Max and how she overcame tragedy to begin life again.

Prior to Max's passing a dear friend had a hopeful dream about Max transcending his suffering and turning into a beautiful blue butterfly. After his passing Jayne began frequently noticing blue butterflies in her surrounding, they took many forms. Once on a family vacation to a zoo in Canada six blue butterflies followed Jayne around a gorgeous butterfly exhibit. She noticed that her eye was just drawn to them in a variety of places from photographs and art to an old metal garden blue butterfly and of course in art that Max had created which she hadn't notice previously. Inspired to know why she was noticing the blue butterflies she did a little research and learned that butterflies are the universal symbol of hope and blue is the color of healing, this became her inspiration and a way of connecting with Max.

Launching Designs by Jayne has allowed her to combine her love of art with her mission of helping others find their unique style and thrive. Her business has become a source of healing for her entire family. Her eldest son Michael, youngest son Sam and husband Chris are a vital part of the business. Michael even designed the Designs by Jayne logo and often acts as his mom's advisor.

In addition to designing and running her business, Jayne spends time volunteering at The Dougy Center as a facilitator helping other bereaved parents. She donates her handbags to fundraisers of organizations that help children with cancer and that support grieving families. Jayne and her husband are currently developing a non-profit organization in Max's memory to which a percentage of all proceeds from all handbags will be donated.