Catherine Lilbit Devine
Catherine Lilbit Devine epitomizes "Cowboy Up". Diagnosed five years ago with Fibromyalgia, Bit was encouraged to quit her job and accept the limitations of this invisible illness. Those who offered the advice didn't understand that "Quit" is not a word in Bit's vocabulary. Her head-on way of attacking the illness is to keep pushing through. Pushing through is something she has always been familiar with throughout her life.
Born in Tucson Arizona, a month premature, she started out life behind the curve. A struggle to gain weight and severe abdominal pains throughout her childhood went undiagnosed until her 19th summer, when it was discovered that she had Crohn's disease. In 1996, after a bout of flu, she found herself unable to shake a numbing fatigue and bone piercing pain. She managed to push through both to complete her training to become a Corrections Officer. Two months later, she was back in training to become a Community Service Officer for the Tucson Police Department. From 1996 to 2003, she pushed through the bewildering pain and fatigue to serve her community. In 2004, she decided to remove herself from the field and sought out a desk job due to brain fog and an increasing intolerance for extreme temperatures. She now works for the Tucson Fire Department as an office assistant at the Tucson Public Safety Academy.
Having the triple club, Chrohns, Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia, hanging over her head has not slowed Bit very much. She still designs her jewelry, writes her poetry & songs, travels to peformances, as part of the duo Cowboy Craic, across North America and around the world, takes care of her teenage sons, cares for her animal menagerie and still finds time for her family and friends. On those days when she hurts so bad that it can't be ignored, she takes an "All ABout Me" day and allows herself some downtime.
In the Summer of 2003 while on a visit to a friend's ranch in Oklahoma, Bit was introduced to semi precious bead stringing. No one was more surprised than her when she found she had a flair for designing necklaces and earrings, which celebrated a uniqueness of spirit. It became her salvation, as it gave her something to fill her sleepless nights and helped to take her focus off her pain. Now, it helps offset the pay cut she took when she transferred to a desk job.
Even as a child, Bit had a fascination with "pretty" rocks. On any given day, her parents were assured that they would find her pockets bulging with rocks after a day of hiking the ranch or riding out. She still has the habit of picking up rocks in her travels. She values their healing powers and the energy that runs through them soothes her. She handles each stone bead, making sure the energy within is positive and before the piece is sent to its new owner, she smudges it with sage smoke and offers a blessing for the buyer.
Visit the Gallery often, as there will be new pieces added weekly. You will likely find something that catches your fancy. If not, contact Bit and she will do her best to make something up to your specifications.
