I wholeheartedly believe that objects can hold stories for us, jewelry being one of the most intimate vessels of that expression.

How a piece comes to a person is part of the story, and often the meaning of that narrative deepens and broadens with wear and contact with the skin.

The actual value of a piece rarely has any correlation to the preciousness we feel for it. It’s because it is in our life, webbed into our psyche and relationships that it becomes a treasure and irreplaceable. It is unlike any other art form in this way.

There is an immediate culture between people who are attracted to the same art. It’s true for music, painting, dance, sculpture and all forms of crafts and art. Yet jewelry is different because it is always visible to self and others, unlike how modern dance or Monet or a Joni Mitchell album might pull us in a private and inner way that no one else can know unless we tell them. The jewelry we choose to wear gives form to some unnamable thing within us. It reflects out to the world something about who we are.

Those drawn in by this expression are members of our aesthetic tribe, people who have a cosmic string tethered to each other. In my experience, people in my aesthetic tribe cross over into other meaningful ways; we often have similar values, senses of humor, life experiences, and together we often will have lots of “a-ha!” moments. No tribe is better or worse than another, they are just different. Appreciation and curiosity are threads that can tie all our tribes together.

One of my core desires in this world is to feel connected. Jewelry and art do that for me on a daily basis.

Over the years I have developed some thoughts/tips about how to get the most out of our jewelry collections, because ultimately these collections are the vehicles that connect us up.

For your enjoyment, here is a short list:

• How you keep your jewelry will dictate how you wear it. Generally things tucked away in boxes remained tucked away in boxes (what a shame!). To get more use out of the things we love, we have to see them. I always encourage people to put favorite pieces out where they can be seen, even if it means rotating things in and out. Place them in something as simple as a dish or on a slab of mirror.

• Speaking of things in boxes, heirlooms and old jewelry that is not “you” can sometimes be reworked by a jeweler into something beautiful in your style. As the saying goes, “You can’t take it with you” so you might as well enjoy your pretty things while your heart is still ticking.

• When getting dressed, try picking your jewelry out before your clothing. Seriously good times will follow, promise!

• Have at least one ring you cannot stop looking at. Earrings and necklaces face out to the world to see, rings are most enjoyed by you. You can look down at any moment in your day and see it staring back at you. If you are thinking of investing in your first “big-girl” piece of jewelry, a ring will likely give you the most fulfillment.

• Get a little pouch or silk bag to store your jewelry in while you are out and about. We see lots of damaged jewelry due to the old “I threw it in my purse” routine. You should still go to the gym and stay over at your boo’s place, just have a safe home for your treasures.

• And on the topic of safe homes: if you have a very precious item (typically a wedding band or engagement ring) it is good to have a home-base for it if you ever want to take it off. Lost rings are usually the result of absentmindedness. Have a sweet little place to keep it and put it there EVERY time you take it off (or else don’t take it off!)

• If you see something you want to buy but it’s a little out of your budget (or you are just unsure that’s how you want to splurge), walk away. If it is still on your mind in a week or two, the piece belongs to you; you just need to figure out how to buy it. When it is finally on your body, you will feel so beautiful and there will be no worry that the purchase was ill thought out.

• Get out of your own box. A lot of us develop habits rather than expressions of style. Always wear silver? Try gold tones mixed in. Always wearing petite studs and never drawing attention? Try a pair of feminine dangling earrings. It usually looks “weird” on you simply because you are not use to it. Think of how much you have changed and developed as a person over your lifetime; your style should be allowed to grow with you.

• Lastly, it’s okay to let things go. Truly, there is no guilt or shame in losing the connection, needing a different story, moving on, leaving things behind, saying goodbye to people and places or old versions of yourself. Sometimes it’s just time.

When its all said and done, it comes down to this: find yourself, then find your tribe. And let your jewelry be a vehicle to help you do both (and adorn your life). Wishing you many blessings on the journey!

All for Love, All for Metal!
xo
Kate Ellen