Sleeping Princess Cards Raise Money for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition

Heidi McClure was born into a creative family, which explains her gift of crafting. Throughout her childhood, her mother taught her how to embroider, knit and sew. Along the way, Heidi dabbled into other crafts. Now she focuses on making handcrafted jewelry pieces and paper goods such as handmade cards.

Having been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, Heidi still views herself as "lucky" or better yet "blessed". The cancer had grown for about two years before it was found. Heidi, who thoroughly believes in divine intervention, was in waiting room one day to have a routine mammogram done. There was a lonely bookmarker lying on a table and she picked it up to read it. The bookmarker was printed by the NOCC, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. The bookmarker listed all the signs, symptoms and risk factors for Ovarian Cancer. While she was reading the information, she realized she had these symptoms and thought that there was no way she could have this disease. She followed up with her gynecologist who sent her for testing and soon received confirmation that she did indeed have Ovarian Cancer. The symptoms of Ovarian Cancer are so vague and are easily dismissed as everyday things. It is commonly misdiagnosed as stress, depression or irritable bowel syndrome. Heidi truly believes that God placed that bookmarker in the waiting room for her to find...it was the only one there!

Heidi has since devoted her creativity to fundraising and advocacy for the cause. Her lifelong childhood friend flew her home in Oklahoma to visit for two weeks in January of 2009 where she helped Heidi create the Sleeping Princess Cards website. While in the hospital having surgery to have the cancer removed she had to be sedated for a extensive length of time. Her ICU nursed named her "The Sleeping Princess." That is how the name came to be for her business. Through the Sleeping Princess Card website, Heidi is raising money to help find a cure for Ovarian Cancer. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of each card will be donated to the NOCC through the Heidi McClure "Sleeping Princess Team".

Heidi has also been selling her cards and other paper crafts in her new Etsy shop, Sassifrass Hill Studio hand made by the Sleeping Princess. Her cards are made of high quality materials and she uses different crafting techniques such as stamping and embossing. A lot of care and details go into each card she makes. She offers quantity discounts, personalization and custom color selections. Heidi also takes advanced orders for cards for the holidays.

You can find her beautiful jewelry pieces for sale at The Artists Hand Gallery Online Store. Here you will find a variety of stunning bracelets, necklaces and earrings.