You Are Not Your Mistakes // A Home Decor Series

Sometimes I can't stop thinking, thinking about all the mistakes I've made.

The things I've done or said that I shouldn't have.

The times I should have spoken up.

The times I should have taken the higher road or made a different decision.

Sometimes I feel like my mistakes have driven my life.

That they have defined who I am today and had the power to direct me.

This series is all about healing.

About letting go of mistakes and chalking them up to lessons.

About realizing I, you, we are human.

About reminding myself that those lessons I have learned are what propelled me forward and allowed me to make some incredibly wonderful and incredibly right decisions.

Each of these babies start from silver from previous mistakes.

Pieces that didn't work.

Solder and ideas that didn't flow.

Melted bezels and broken saw blades.

I've melted them all down to their elements.

Turned them into lessons, and used them to grow something new and beautiful.

I can't tell you how healing it is.

To be able to turn that torch up to screaming high and just let the heat burn away your mistakes.

Let it melt it down until it's no longer recognizable.

Until you've forgotten how painful it was when it happened.

---

Cast succulents.

Shed antlers.

Weathered cow vertebrae.

To adorn your home.

To remind you.

\

Carin

Naturalist // A Shop Update

The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark. -- John Muir

Two Naturalist Bangles will be available. Both size med/small. 7 1/2" inner circumference and about 2 3/8" diameter.

One Ocean Jasper Drop Ring will Be available. US Size 5 1/2.

Spring is coming. I can feel it. My fingers are still mind numbingly cold, but the marrow in my bones is starting to twitch.

I'm excited for this next season. I love to take the winter to reflect, to learn and to make peace with the previous year. But with the sun warming the ground, those goals I've set look delicious and achievable. I feel like I have the energy of a pup, ready to take on this crazy world.

I can't believe how much I've learned in just a year. Looking back feels crazy. Crazy I've come so far, but also crazy grateful for all you've given me.

I don't want to waste any of it. I want to soak it all in and keep going. I want to show you what I have, and that you've invested your time and attention wisely.

I've got some serious goals this year. I'm so content with where the jewelry is headed and can't wait to produce more. It's falling out of my mind and hands quickly these days. My heart and head know where it's going, and I've learned to trust those instincts.

I've also taken the time to assess my flaws. Give recognition to them and address how I can do things better. 

Some of what I'm working on: 

WRITING: I struggle to find words. I've always been better at speaking with silver than letters. So I'm working on it, and until then I'll look to those that have them. That have already spoken how I'm feeling and what I think. I'm grateful that they can help me communicate while I find my own.

DRAWING: I'm also working on drawing and lettering. I think these are two key elements in any art form that can help with overall design. I've always been so-so at both. I bought a sketch book. I'm jotting words, but also sketching plants and things I find. 

PHOTOGRAPHY: Always, always, always, but more specifically I've never been good at photographing myself posing with jewelry. Those of you good at the jewelry selfie, I commend you! I've tried all sorts of things, timers, remotes.... but if you could see the outtakes I get, and the time I spend to get just one half decent shot of a piece... well then you'd really understand.

I've always toyed with the idea of hiring a model, but honestly that just feels really strange to me. It's like hiring someone to cast my pieces or getting an assistant.  Luckily my friend Emily has offered to help out when she can. She's a kick-ass outdoorsy, rock climbing, mama. 

I could go into all the details of our friendship, but I'll just tell you this one quick story of how we met. 

It was 1990. I was in Kindergarten. It was 1/2 way through the school year.

This little blond comes walking in with her mom. Her eyes full of tears. She was transferring to a new school, a new state, and a whole new life. She was scared and lonely.

As the teacher and her mom tried to console her, I walked up and introduced myself, and said "It's ok, you can be my friend."

Fast forward more than 2 decades and we still are. 

Shop update goes live on Tuesday 2/9 at 7pm PT here. 

I really hope you can make it!

♥ Carin