Get to know us!

Hi! My name is Jenny. Let me tell you a little about myself and the fantastic journey of Lost Cities Beads.

I was born and raised in San Diego, California. My parents were teachers who set aside their summer breaks for travel and adventure. I spent much of my childhood summers in the back of a 90's minivan and eventually visited all 50 US states, much of Canada, and Mexico. As an adult, I would go on to travel to many other places, soaking up the natural wonders and beautiful cultures.

A lifetime of fascination and love for rocks, gemstones, and folk art led me to my amazing journey with Lost Cities, starting in early 2004. By then, the business had been open for 5 years and was thriving under the previous owners and founders, Christina Blessing and her husband Hank. 

Over the 15+ years that I worked for Christina and Hank, they became more like family, and I will be forever grateful for that.

In the spring of 2016, I was diagnosed with a rare, very aggressive, very grim, Stage 4 cancer.  Without the unwavering support and fully paid health care provided by Christina and Hank, I am certain I would not be here. It took four years of multiple surgeries, major treatments, learning how to walk again, and other recoveries to finally be declared stable enough to move forward with my life.

Unfortunately, that day came in early March 2020, right as the pandemic had taken hold. By the time the world shut down, Christina and Hank made the decision to move on from the business and retire. They offered me the amazing opportunity to purchase and move forward with Lost Cities (now Lost Cities Beads). Sadly, Hank passed on less than a year later, but Christina still remains involved as a mentor, a vendor, and a very loved member of the family.

Why share all of this? I feel like it's important to be transparent with our customers because we've known some of you for decades. We've watched your children grow up, your businesses thrive, and we've enjoyed the community that Lost Cities built. Working Christina and Hank for well over a decade gave me invaluable insight and tools to keep building where they left off. I can't wait to see what the future holds for Lost Cities Beads!