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Chews Life began as an invention born of necessity, when owner Shannon Wendt was expecting her fourth child. Shannon designed her nursing bracelet to feature the numbers of the clock and a moveable charm, and to help her track the times she nursed her sweet babe. Wanting to bring this easy, wearable aid to other mamas, Shannon launched the nursing bracelet on Etsy in 2008 -- and it sold within fifteen minutes of being listed! The bracelet was soon joined by her Classic Mama Necklace. Designed as a pretty, grownup and durable alternative to the fine jewelry that was so easily broken by tugging babies and toddlers, the Classic pendant necklace stood up to the attention of her toddler day in and day out.


In 2014, the first Catholic product was added to the shop, then called Organic Mama’s Shop. Again, necessity was the mother of invention!  After a stormy season of suffering, Shannon knew that the Lord was calling her back to the Rosary -- but with five kids, 20 quiet minutes to pray seemed an insurmountable obstacle, and Shannon asked Him how He expected her to pray a full rosary every day? In answer, the Lord inspired the Rosary Bracelet with its signature movable “bookmark” crucifix charm. This charm is essentially a bookmark to hold one’s place in prayer, and it allowed Shannon to gather those brief quiet moments scattered throughout the day to pray the whole rosary.  This small but significant change was a Godsend, helping Shannon to develop the habit of daily prayer in the midst of the beautiful (and sometimes challenging!) flow of life.

2015 brought an important addition to the shop: Chews Life Soft Silicone Rosaries made their big debut at the Edel Gathering. The brightly-colored, baby-safe, chewable soft rosaries were an instant hit and lead to other silicone products, including Chews Life Decade Rosaries and Mama Necklaces

In August 2016, the shop grew out of the "organic" market and found a community among Catholics. It only made sense to shed the name Organic Mama's Shop, and to become Chews Life! Just in time for the Christmas season in 2016, Shannon’s vision of a beautiful, detailed silicone Miraculous Medal and St. Benedict Medal, and a nubby-backed, custom cross came to fruition, and these were added to the product line.

Since the fall of 2016, several women have joined the team to make and package Chews Life silicone products and our semi-precious gemstone Life Rox line. The “Chews Crew” now consists of over a dozen part-time Makers and eight full and part-time Leadership Team members. Chews Life makers and leadership team members are all Catholic women local to Grand Rapids, and Shannon considers it a true blessing that her business helps women support their families and to live out their vocations.

Again, welcome! Check out our Frequently Asked Questions, and contact us if you have any other questions. For our most current special promotions and product updates, be sure to subscribe to our email list and follow Chews Life on Instagram and Facebook (@ChewsLifeShop). We are happy to have you here, and we are so honored to be a part of your lives of faith and prayer. Thank you from all of us at Chews Life!