It is uncertain whether or not Minna Hong realized how much her life would change when she made the split second decision to swerve in order to miss an 18 wheeler while she was driving with her husband and children in the car. The accident that followed, which caused her SUV to flip multiple times, literally sent her comfortable stay-at-home-mom world spinning.

She lost her husband, her children were only slightly injured, and she lost control of her legs due to a spinal injury. Months of heartache and rehabilitation followed, and slowly Hong created a new life for herself and her children.

During her rehabilitation, she started to concentrate on what she could do, use her hands, and what followed was a new love of crafting jewelry. Like most jewelry makers, she began selling her work to friends and family, but eventually, this type of occupational therapy turned into a business and she started selling her jewelry to stores and through her web site at www.designsbyminna.com.

Pearls first attracted Hong to jewelry making, so you'll still see a lot of beautiful pearl jewelry on her web site. However, she has also branched out into incorporating gemstones in her work such as quartz, onyx, and jade. Here are a few pieces from her collection:

Multi-strand pearl necklace

Earrings - assorted acua quartz

Read more: Designer of jewelry, crafter of a new life