It's all packed up
and on the way to its new home :-)
It always makes me so happy when a piece of jewelry gets its forever home.
I know that sounds funny, sort of like someone adopting a pet but I look at all my jewelry like a part of the family.
Let me take a second to explain why.
First, I spend countless hours sourcing my supplies. I search etsy for new artists almost daily because I love to support other women business owners with my work.
I search many online retailers for the best prices on findings, wire, clasps and other items like seed beads, gemstones and copper sheet.
I can spend 1-3 days etching copper which includes cleaning (it's really gross when it arrives), cutting, applying the design (which can take a few times to get it right), etching the piece, cleaning it, applying patina, sealing with lacquer, applying wax, and finally adding holes.
Once I have chosen which etched copper elements I wish to use I gather up my other materials and sit down at my beading table to create.
This can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 4 hours depending on how complex the piece is.
So you see this is how my pieces become like family. I remember where I purchased each item from, I remember what I was thinking or feeling when I decided to etch that particular pattern, I know what each color palette was inspired by whether it was a Finally Friday post, a blog hop or an emotion I felt while playing tag with my daughter.
Each piece is then wrapped up tightly, placed in a muslin bag, then into a hand embellished box and sent on its way- to its forever home.
Where I can only hope to touch someone else's life with this special treasure.
I hope the wearer enjoys the piece and feels confident, happy and beautiful while wearing it for years to come. -and maybe, just maybe pass the item on to her daughter :-)
~Shannon
