Jewelry By Blitz began when the designer’s father was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer.

 
Blitz Hoppe, the designer, lives in the 109 and attends Texas Christian University. Hoppe is a senior Spanish major who plans to go to nursing school after graduation, she said.

Hoppe and her father, Mark “Poppy” Hoppe, have always been close.

“I would say we have a special bond that is quite unique to many others,” she said.

When Hoppe learned about her father’s diagnosis of multiple myeloma in 2012, she was faced with a decision.

“I could pull away from my father in the attempt to make the process less painful for myself,” she said, “or I could gather all of my strength and be supportive for my dad as he began a journey down an unknown path.”

 
Hoppe knew her father would have to go through an extremely difficult treatment plan, including powerful chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. She was scared, she said, but wanted her dad to know that “people cared, people were praying, and that he was loved.”

Hoppe decided to start raising money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which she continues to support through Jewelry By Blitz. She began by selling blue wristbands with the words, “You Can’t Spell Hoppe Without Hope.” She sold more than 500 wristbands at TCU and raised close to $2000.

Hoppe later teamed up with her father, who lives in Winston-Salem, N.C., to host two restaurant fundraisers that resulted in another $500 plus donation, she said.

Hoppe's mother taught her how to make jewelry a long time ago, but it wasn’t until last summer that she started making jewelry in bulk to raise money for her dad.

All the jewelry is handmade and incorporates everything from earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Earrings are the main item in her collection, specifically arrowhead earrings, she said. Arrowhead jewelry allowed her business to take off and has become her signature look.

Hoppe wire wraps each individual earring with any color bead and has also started incorporating a lot of natural stones into her jewelry. Hoppe also makes custom pieces.

The jewelry is currently sold through her Instagram, @jewelrybyblitz, at trunks shows, and directly through her.

TCU junior interior design major Emily Miros bought a deep blue pendant with a gold chain from Blitz directly.

"I felt like it was a good statement piece to wear with a plain top and would match a lot of my outfits, she said. “Plus I always want to help out and support a fellow Chi Omega whenever I can."

Flirt, a boutique located at 2952 Crockett St, has hosted two trunk shows for the jewelry line and also carries the jewelry throughout the year.

It has been about a year since Hoppe’s father’s stem cell transplant and his immune system is growing stronger daily. He currently takes maintenance chemo and oral chemo, and will have to take a pill every day for the rest of his life, or until a cure is found.

Hoppe’s father is able to stay positive through their work because he can see the number of people who care and who are praying for him.

 “Prayers are stronger than chemo,” he said.

Blitz was offered an internship with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society this year, which she accepted.

“It has become my mission to increase awareness and raise money for blood cancer research,” she said. “The more we can do, the closer my dad is to receiving a cure.”