Storytelling - Starting up fresh on a tangent roadside

I was browsing through my photos when I found this one of my granddaughter and her friend wearing two pieces I had made just for them. You should have seen the joy on their faces, there’s something magical about little girls wearing jewelry that makes them feel just like their mothers. It’s a mix of excitement and emotion that’s hard to put into words.

But then I paused and thought, Wait a minute: my jewelry isn’t meant to be worn once and forgotten somewhere! I create these pieces to be worn, cherished, and cared for.

And these two aren’t the only example. One of my customers once asked for a gift for his wife, and another for his six-year-old daughter. I honestly thought he was joking, but he was completely serious. He wanted something special for her, so I made a small bracelet just her size.

Then there was a girl I met at one of my markets. She must have been around eight years old, and she kept coming back to look at a tiny pair of sky-blue earrings. The first time, she came with her father, who brushed off the idea of buying them. Later she returned alone and shyly asked the price: $10. She told me she didn’t have enough.

The third time, she came back with her dad and asked me what my lowest price was. Instead of answering, I asked her, “How much do you want to pay?” She said, “Five dollars.” I told her yes, and the look on her face was priceless, like she had just received the best gift in the world. To me, it meant everything, because she truly loved that little pair of earrings…and I had made them for someone like her.

Experiences like these have inspired me to start creating a collection just for girls. I know some pieces might eventually be set aside as they grow, but I’m chasing that moment of pure excitement, that spark of joy they feel when they wear something that makes them feel special. And I think we all need a bit more of that right now.