Welcome! I'm Nancy. Ever since my grandmother taught me to needlepoint and crochet, I've loved creating with my hands. That passion led me to try many different avenues of creative outlets. You name it, I've probably given it a shot. But beads have been my true love since my college days in the '70s.

One day, inspiration struck while working on another project. What if these little wooden shapes could become earrings? That idea sparked a creative whirlwind! I started experimenting with all kinds of techniques and styles and quickly realized that incorporating upcycled materials wasn’t just fun—it felt good to give new life to forgotten pieces! What began as a fun escape quickly turned into an unstoppable passion.

Selling them never crossed my mind until my daughter Maren noticed something special. She didn’t just see jewelry piling up; she saw how my face lit up when I finished a new design, how excited I was to show them to family and friends, and how much I adored seeing someone’s eyes light up when they put on a pair.

Maren, always curious about business, saw a chance to bring that joy to others. Still, doubt crept in. Who would buy jewelry from someone in her mid-70s? Would anyone want designs that weren’t mass-produced or trendy? Was this just a personal passion, not something to share? The fear whispered that it was silly to think anyone outside of my close circle would appreciate what I had made. That maybe I was too old, unconventional, or late to start something new.

But Maren wouldn’t let me hide behind that fear. She knew that if something brought this much happiness to me, it could do the same for others. And she was right.

So we leaped into the unknown and Nonnie Up was born—not just as a business, but as a celebration of personal style, creative expression, and the freedom to wear what makes you happy.