Help for Sharleen
Donation protected
My name is Natasha Blackwood, and I am here to tell you the inspiring and heartbreaking story of an incredibly gifted Newfoundlander, Sharleen Simmons.
A classical/pop trumpeter/pianist from Corner Brook, Sharleen has always been involved in her music community. As an adult she began to work at O'Brien's Music Store in St John's, where she discovered her love for repairing and building instruments. Setting up and repairing guitars and accordions at O'Brien's inspired her to study lutherie.
From St John's she moved on to study guitar building in the USA, and then apprenticed with master luthier Michael Greenfield in Montreal. During this apprenticeship she met and fell in love with a Swedish man and fellow guitar builder, Gustav Fredell.
Once her apprenticeship was finished, she decided to uproot her life and move to Sweden with Gustav. Although he struggled with depression, they managed to share a workshop, and a home, and build incredible guitars together as a team. They did so successfully for two years. Some would say they were living the dream. Their guitars were well recieved, and they were invited to showcase at many guitar shows around the world. They were successful and in love, but that all changed in February of 2015. Almost out of nowhere, Gustav lost his battle with depression and ended his life.
For Sharleen this tragedy is beyond words. She would never tell this story or ask for your help so I'm doing it for her. For any of you who have found your soul mate, you can imagine how devestating it would be to leave home casually in the morning, not knowing that you would never see them again. Apart from the tragic personal loss, she is facing some incredibly difficult business decisions. She can no longer run her two-person shop. It no longer makes sense to be in Sweden, in the small city of Lidköping, with the close-knit community of Gustav's family and friends. As hard as it is for her to leave the place where they were building their life, she has finally decided to throw in the towel and come home to Newfoundland.
Unfortunately, the death of self-employed people can be fincancially devestating for their families. She is left with his unfinished projects, a shop to clear out, and custom equipment that either won't work in Canada, or isn't feasible to ship here. So along with losing her life-partner and starting her life over, she is forced to start her business over from scratch as well. I want to show her that it is not over. She can continue her craft and thrive here. She just needs some help in this incredibly difficult time.
You can help bring this amazing woman home.
She is an absolute asset to the musical community of Newfoundland. Her skills are incredible. She is also one of the most generous, patient, and kindhearted people I have had the priveledge to know, and I know that she deserves this second chance.
I set the initial goal at 5000. This will help her get here, as well as put some money toward an industrial space and equipment to put in it.
Honestly, it is going to cost a lot more than this to get her business off the ground. However, I think if we start small, and show her how many people are behind her, we may give her the courage to get here and get started.
You can check out her amazing guitars and beautiful face at:
http://www.simmonscustomguitars.com
There will also be a concert in aide of Sharleen at The Ship Pub in St John's, NL on May 17.
Thanks so much for reading this far.
All donations of any size are greatly appreciated.
-Natasha
A classical/pop trumpeter/pianist from Corner Brook, Sharleen has always been involved in her music community. As an adult she began to work at O'Brien's Music Store in St John's, where she discovered her love for repairing and building instruments. Setting up and repairing guitars and accordions at O'Brien's inspired her to study lutherie.
From St John's she moved on to study guitar building in the USA, and then apprenticed with master luthier Michael Greenfield in Montreal. During this apprenticeship she met and fell in love with a Swedish man and fellow guitar builder, Gustav Fredell.
Once her apprenticeship was finished, she decided to uproot her life and move to Sweden with Gustav. Although he struggled with depression, they managed to share a workshop, and a home, and build incredible guitars together as a team. They did so successfully for two years. Some would say they were living the dream. Their guitars were well recieved, and they were invited to showcase at many guitar shows around the world. They were successful and in love, but that all changed in February of 2015. Almost out of nowhere, Gustav lost his battle with depression and ended his life.
For Sharleen this tragedy is beyond words. She would never tell this story or ask for your help so I'm doing it for her. For any of you who have found your soul mate, you can imagine how devestating it would be to leave home casually in the morning, not knowing that you would never see them again. Apart from the tragic personal loss, she is facing some incredibly difficult business decisions. She can no longer run her two-person shop. It no longer makes sense to be in Sweden, in the small city of Lidköping, with the close-knit community of Gustav's family and friends. As hard as it is for her to leave the place where they were building their life, she has finally decided to throw in the towel and come home to Newfoundland.
Unfortunately, the death of self-employed people can be fincancially devestating for their families. She is left with his unfinished projects, a shop to clear out, and custom equipment that either won't work in Canada, or isn't feasible to ship here. So along with losing her life-partner and starting her life over, she is forced to start her business over from scratch as well. I want to show her that it is not over. She can continue her craft and thrive here. She just needs some help in this incredibly difficult time.
You can help bring this amazing woman home.
She is an absolute asset to the musical community of Newfoundland. Her skills are incredible. She is also one of the most generous, patient, and kindhearted people I have had the priveledge to know, and I know that she deserves this second chance.
I set the initial goal at 5000. This will help her get here, as well as put some money toward an industrial space and equipment to put in it.
Honestly, it is going to cost a lot more than this to get her business off the ground. However, I think if we start small, and show her how many people are behind her, we may give her the courage to get here and get started.
You can check out her amazing guitars and beautiful face at:
http://www.simmonscustomguitars.com
There will also be a concert in aide of Sharleen at The Ship Pub in St John's, NL on May 17.
Thanks so much for reading this far.
All donations of any size are greatly appreciated.
-Natasha
Organizer
Natasha Blackwood
Organizer
Mount Pearl, NL
