When a West Long Branch jewelry maker heard about the death of her friend, Tamara Seidle, she put her designs on helping the nine children who had lost their mother.
“It is just a tragic situation,” said Krista Lynn Eggering, the creative force behind Krista Lynn Designs.
Eggering, along with some kind-hearted helpers, helped to ease some of the pain of the tragedy by raising more than $7,000 through fundraising efforts.
Seidle’s ex-husband, Neptune Township Police Sgt. Phillip Seidle, allegedly shot and killed her as she sat in her car on an Asbury Park street on June 16, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Phillip Seidle, 51, of Neptune, was charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and endangering the welfare of a child after he fired multiple shots into the vehicle driven by his ex-wife.
Seeking a way to help, Eggering initiated the Love, Faith and Family Fundraiser in honor of Seidle, who was known as Tami.
“The idea was to give people a reminder of her … and to remind people not take things for granted, like love, faith and family,” Eggering said.
The women’s friendship, as well as having had Tami as a customer and attendee at several of her jewelry workshops, put Eggering in the know about the types of stones and designs Seidle liked best.
“Her favorite stone was carnelian,” Eggering said, adding, “Carnelian is a stone of strength and courage.”
To design the necklace and bracelet for the fundraiser, which ran throughout July, Eggering took a stone from each of the necklaces she had designed for Tami, she said.
She teamed up with Marisa Caruso, owner of DaniRisi boutique, Allenhurst, who placed the jewelry in her shop for sale. Between local and online sales through Eggering’s website, www.kristalynndesigns.com, more than 500 pieces were sold, according to Eggering.
“I had a goal of $5,000 … and it came to more than $7,000,” she said. “It was just overwhelming.”
The sales were so strong that Eggering had to put her normal business on hold for the month and enlist the help of others in stringing some of the jewelry.
“There was some help behind the scenes and we want to thank everyone for that,” she said.
All proceeds from the jewelry sales are earmarked for the Seidle children, who range from second grade to 24 years old, Eggering said.
For information about ways to help the children, visit the following site: www.facebook.com/tamislegacies
— Jessica D’Amico