Layoff Spurs New Web Venture for Horsham Duo

When David Bradford and Laura Brennan were given a rocky start to their beginnings as an engaged couple, the duo took those rocks and made jewelry: Lots of it.

Brennan, 28, a customer care representative by day, had been looking for an outlet for her creativity. She found it in a how-to beading book that she picked up in a craft store. 

"In December of 2010, my new and most loved craft was born," Brennan told Patch in an e-mail interview. 

About a year later as the couple, who was in the process of moving to Horsham, readied for holiday break, Bradford was laid off from his job.

"Shock, surprise, and uncertainty welled up from within me," the 29-year-old told Patch. "If Laura wasn't there to help me through it, I don't know where I would be."

While Bradford continues to search for a new job, he's keeping busy getting the couple's new venture, Two Hearts Bead As One, off the ground.

"I was able to take the reigns with our online store, social media, and marketing," Bradford said. "I had very little knowledge of how to start a small business, but I persevered and learned everything I could about what we were about to take on."

Bradford built the business Web site "from the ground up," including its programming and html script, as well as designing "the face" of the Two Hearts Bead As One brand and logo. He also photographs items available for sale and posts them on the site and coordinates shipping. 

"Since I am the one who doesn't currently have a 9-5 job, this is my job while I am continuing to look for employment," he said. 

In between all of that, Bradford takes time to sit alongside his soulmate to create traditional, classic, modern and bohemian styles of jewelry, each priced from $5 to $25. 

"It was alien to me in the beginning and I didn't even know how to make a loop and my creations were very strange," he said. "I would never be able to do it without Laura."

Since officially founding the Web-based jewelry company in July, the couple have made more than 400 pieces for the site, as well as for local craft shows. Of those, about 100 pieces have been sold to date. 

A Philadelphia native and lover of the arts, Brennan credits her fiance with opening her eyes to the beauty of jewelry making, which she calls her "true passion."

"He has always explored the arts in so many ways since he was very young and when we combined forces, the artist that was dying to come out of me was finally revealed in its truest form," she said. "This is why we named our company 'Two Hearts Bead As One.' This is an honest reflection of how we came about and of who we are."

Now, with some rocks cleared from the path to business-building, Bradford and Brennan look to the future, which could one day include a brick-and-mortar store in the Horsham area. 

And, once Bradford finds a job, or the business takes off - or both - the couple plan to marry, tentatively by 2014.

"We don't want a big fancy wedding, or anything like that, but we would still like to have the traditional ceremony and reception," Bradford said. "No matter what, where, or when, we will be happy."

The bride-to-be will be decked out in unique jewelry made from her own heart. 

"I will definitely be designing and making my own jewelry to help pull the whole look together," Brennan said. "I do not want to go into details since it is taboo for the groom to know what his bride will be wearing, but my jewelry will surely be handmade by me and I will be putting extra love and care into every single detail."