Ozarks Life: Emily Laurie’s bracelets compliment outfits and charity

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - Inside of a busy business center in Brentwood, buried in a basement, is a bracelet workshop.

“When I made the first one it was like, ‘oh this is fun,” Emily Laurie said.

Laurie’s company started with humble beginnings after a humbling call from her doctor.

“In June of last year I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma,” Laurie said. “It scared me because my brother died of cancer when I was 13. We have three kids, and I was like, ‘this can’t be me.”

To help ease her anxiety, Emily started crafting by threading beads into bracelets.

“It put things into perspective,” Laurie said.

When she learned the cancer did not spread to her lymph nodes, she knew she her life would be fine. But would her life be fulfilling?

And what to do with all of those bracelets she was making.

“Sold one created an Instagram and a website,” Laurie said, “and then two days later (we) had 100 orders.”

Emily quit her successful career and opened Onie+Sky.

“It’s named after our kids,” Laurie said. “We call Sloane “Onie” and Skylar “Sky” and I launched it on our son Jack’s birthday.”

“It’s taken wings,” Laurie said. “I have seven part time students and it started with my husband and I staying up til one in the morning making bracelets.”

Emily’s husband is former Kickapoo and Missouri State standout basketball player, Spencer Laurie.

“Family is everything, especially when you have a scare like this.”

And with the Ozarks being an extension of her family, Emily donates 20% of Onie+Sky sales to melanoma research. And over the year, Emily has helped other non-profits raise money with her jewelry as well.

“Writing that check is so fulfilling,” Laurie said. “This isn’t just me, its a community and a nation who likes our designs and its supporting our community.”

This week, Emily showed off Onie+Sky’s newest jewelry line in a photo shoot.

Christina Ford created The Rebound Foundation with her proud husband, Missouri State basketball coach Dana Ford.

The nonprofit helps women escape abusive relationships and start a new life. It is now getting a new stream of funding thanks to Onie+Sky.

“It gave us a kick start and some excitement,” Christina Ford said. “This will help with our residents and our branding in the community.”

Ford says sales from this new jewelry line will help pay for transitional homes for it’s women.

“I’ve always supported nonprofits,” Laurie said, “I’m from Springfield and I want to give back to the community.”

“(Emily’s) goals to help organizations like The Rebound Foundation is inspiring,” Ford said.

For more on Onie+Sky click here.

To learn more about The Rebound Foundation, click here.

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