What's your signature?

The summer I turned 13 I wore an armful of bracelets creeping up my left wrist. It started with two black jelly bracelets; above that were seven thin string bracelets, in neon green, pink, yellow and blue; and the whole thing was capped off by a watch that sported a wide black band, in a pliable faux-leather-ribbon look.

I took off the watch when it’d get wet in the shower or the pool, but the bracelets stayed on all summer long, and I’d get a little surge of happiness whenever I caught sight of my colorful funky arm.

Summer ended and the bracelets came off – with a touch of sadness and regret.

The year I went away to college a friend gifted me a necklace, a simple black nylon thread holding a polymer clay disc, decorated with a yin-yang and other swirly hippy happy icons. I wore that necklace all year, seeing it as a totem of the new life I was finally living.

Before HM came on the scene, another friend gifted me another necklace, this one a sterling silver ball chain with a simple silver pendant reading Quirky. I was instantly charmed by the necklace, putting it on and leaving it on for the next couple of years. It was the kind of piece I’d lust after but never purchase for myself, and I loved that my friend had captured a bit of me so perfectly.

After HM arrived, the necklace turned into a grabby toy for her, and I regretfully took it off.

Now I have these bracelets. The charm bracelet was a gift from KLo, and was something I’d admired for months, plotting of ways to ensure Hig would remember it for a birthday or anniversary. The other was a gift from the artist; both bring together two of my favorite things: words & silver, and when I move my arm, the two bracelets jingle-jangle together in the most delicate and pleasing way.

I imagine there will come a time when I’ll take off the bracelets; for now, they’ll remain my signature pieces, always incorporated into my outfits and always bringing me a bit of joy when I look at my left wrist.

Charm bracelet: handcrafted by Silver Pie, gifted by KLo, with family members’ names, my wedding date and the word “charmed,” to remind me that my life is just that
Link bracelet: handcrafted & gifted by Toby & Max, reading as follows: Be Happy, Live Simply, Love, Appreciate, Balance and Laugh