Help Ace Build a More Stable Life Through Her Craft

Ace is 55 years old. She lives alone, handmaking delicate jewellery in her living room, bead by bead, piece by piece. Her tools are simple. Her income is modest. But her determination is steady. What started as a quiet dream to turn her craft into a way of life has become a daily necessity.

A Life Rebuilt from Loss

In 2021, Ray of Hope supported Ace with her basic living expenses so she could recover from years of family violence and betrayal. She had lost her job, her stability, and much of her trust in others.

Thanks to that initial support, she slowly rebuilt. In May 2024, she used her remaining savings to launch a home-based jewellery business, designing earrings, necklaces, and charms from Japanese seed beads. She also rents the occasional pop-up stall and has been learning how to promote her work on TikTok.

But even with hours of careful labour, each sale only brings in a small income. On average, Ace earns $250 a month from her jewellery business, and it fluctuates depending on online traffic and market stalls. And even now, financial stability feels out of reach.

“Although I’m 55 years old, I still have to survive,” Ace says. “I use my creative mind to support myself.”

Trying, Even When It’s Hard

Ace previously worked for 30 years as a fashion accessories designer. But after being laid off in 2019, she took on part-time retail work only to leave when long hours standing caused lasting leg pain.

Today, she is medically unfit for full-time employment. She manages depression and trauma with medication that causes fatigue and dizziness. Still, she refuses to give up.

She eats only two meals a day to save money. She’s looked into downgrading her flat, but was advised it wouldn’t bring long-term benefit. She’s even started clearing out a room in her home, one that once held painful memories, to rent it out for income. 

“Jewellery making is a very lonely journey,” Ace says. “Donations would help me not feel abandoned. I’ve already been abandoned by my family.”

A Difficult Space to Live and Work

Ace’s current living situation makes it hard to sustain her business — or her wellbeing.

– Her iPhone is old and unreliable, making it nearly impossible to livestream or market her products online

– She does not have a proper wardrobe to store her clothes in, leading to clutter and dust

– She doesn’t have a proper seat or corner to rest. She spends most of her time sitting on a hard wooden box in her living room.

She’s made small steps: buying a desk and chair for crafting, clearing out that spare room. But the space still lacks essentials like a ceiling fan and light, which she needs before she can rent it out.

Why We’re Raising $2,579

We’re raising $2,579 to help Ace improve her living and working conditions — and take meaningful steps toward long-term stability. With your kindness, she will be able to buy: 

– A ceiling fan with light for the rental room: $449

– An iPhone 14 Pro* for smoother livestreaming and online sales: $1,128

– A Wardrobe system to reduce clutter and restore order: $803

– An Armchair to provide a place for rest: $199

*due to the small size of her seed beads, Ace would benefit greatly with an iPhone 14 Pro, which is able to zoom in up to 3 times while maintaining clear quality for her livestreams and online promotions

The Impact of Your Support

Ace is doing everything she can: learning new platforms, creating from scratch, finding strength in routine. She just needs a bit more support to turn survival into stability.

“When I’m making my crafts, I worry whether people will buy them,” she says. 

Your donation won’t just provide furniture or equipment. It will give Ace breathing room, peace of mind, and the quiet dignity of knowing she hasn’t been forgotten. Please consider giving  and help Ace take the next step toward a life she’s been slowly, courageously building on her own.