Below is my latest story of jewelry redemption. It was satisfying and fun to redeem what was broken and on its way to being nothing but clutter. What do YOU own that is just waiting to be transformed into something fabulous? If nothing immediately springs to mind, go on a scavenger hunt around your house. Look for lone earrings, broken strands of beads, old buttons, snippets of chain. If you've saved it, I'll bet it elicits a happy memory. Maybe this fragment belonged to some one you love, or it's a souvenir from a memorable trip. Whatever its origin, I can guarantee that your little keepsake has more soul and personal history than anything you'll find at Kohl's or Macy's. Not that there is anything wrong with updating your accessories with something trendy - I like shiny, new stuff, too. But there's something about the worn, the"pre-loved" that gives an outfit originality and depth. Wearing pieces that have a history will elevate your ensemble from pretty and eye catching to meaningful and authentic.
Whenever I wear something "inherited," I can't help but recall the amazing, complex women who owned the piece before me: my grandmothers. Margaret loved to shop, lunch and play bridge. Martha taught me to row across Spirit Lake and solve crossword puzzles. They came from such different worlds but they both loved me in life changing ways. And that's something I don't ever want to forget.
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| Grrrrrr.... I don't like it when stuff breaks! |
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| Pearls, it's off to the bottom of my jewelry drawer, I guess. |
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| Unretouched photo. At least my new reconstructed earrings are the bomb dot com! | |
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| Also, look at this ring made out of one of Auntie Mary's old coat buttons. |
