Wednesday, May 11, 2011

"Athena"


...or Mikey to those of us who know and love her.  And believe me, to know Mikey is to love her.  As with Jackie, I met Mikey in college.  We were both communications majors, so we had a few classes together (we were also on the yearbook staff, but we ditched the staff photo... in the yearbook).  My undergraduate college was short on African American students, which often meant she and I were the only two pepper flakes in class.  Naturally, we were friendly, but I never thought we would be friends.  Like these earrings, Mikey is a true Gemini and all brass.  Although the pitch of her voice - cute and some what shrill - is not intimidating and her stature - little - won't make you shake in your boots, Mikey was, and is, tough.  Back then, she said what she felt to whomever needed to hear it, and I didn't think our personalities would gel.  When we became roommates the following year, I realized my assumptions were wrong.  Underneath the toughness, I found a funny, smart, introspective, loyal friend who was capable, at times, of an unnerving sweetness.  Add Jackie and Monica (more on her later), and my senior year of college is still one of the greatest times of my life.

Mikey and I are still friends.  While we have seen each other through a lot of life changes, there was a period when I was too selfish to allow her to be a real support to me at a difficult time, which almost ruined our friendship (long story).  I used to pride myself on being the strong one - putting aside my issues or problems to be fully available to my friends or never discussing things that were bothering me.  Mikey has taught me that the best friendships involve an even exchange of strength and vulnerability.  Vulnerability allows your friends to connect to you on a deeper level, to empathize greater.  She taught me that if you are not being vulnerable with those closest to you, then you are not really being your full self, which short changes everyone involved.  As I stated above, "Athena" is tough and can endure just about anything.  But don't let the toughness fool you :-)

Monday, May 9, 2011

"Jackie"




We met in college almost twenty years ago.  When we first met, I made it my business to say something mean or roll my eyes at her every time she spoke or walked in the room.  Then, my reasons were that I felt she was silly or annoying or naive.  After all, I was a big time college junior, and she was a mere freshman who seemed to laugh at everything and talk to everyone.  In retrospect, I can admit that I was jealous.  Unlike me, she wasn't hesitant or reserved around strangers.  She didn't shrink or second guess herself, and she wasn't the type to brood.  At that age, she was innately confident in ways that I still struggle with.  That is one of the things I love and admire about her. Later, she told me that despite my early rudeness, she knew we were going to be friends.  Although my senior year would have been miserable without her (and two other girls, one of which I will write about shortly), the moment that told me we would be friends forever happened after I graduated.

To make a long story short, I started my post graduate life in Charlotte, where we went to college, with an apartment, a roommate, and a really cool internship in television news (certainly a story for another post).  I ended it with nothing but the things in my bedroom in a two-bedroom apartment after my roommate moved out with every thing else (literally, me, my clothes, and my bedroom furnishings with no living room or kitchen necessities; an even greater story for another post).  Jackie was still in school but working during Christmas break.  She had a few weeks to spare before going home to West Virginia and needed some where to stay off campus.  I also had a few weeks left before my parents would drive up to take me back home to Georgia.  Though I tried to talk her out of it, She opted to stay with me in my embarrassing, pitiful situation.  I had a pretty sizable closet, and she made a pallet in that closet and slept there as if was the grandest hotel.  That's a real friend, and I am confident in saying that.  Jackie is sweet and sassy, stylish and classic, delicate and strong.


The "Jackie" in Turquoise



The "Jackie" in Purple Coconut Wood


The "Jackie" in Patikan Wood

Friday, May 6, 2011

"Jenn"


Have you ever met someone so genuinely sweet and kind that she makes you want to do some soul searching?  I'm talking about a person who asks questions that others asks out of feigned politeness, like "Have some?" or "Do you need anything?," but she really means what those questions imply?  That's my sister-in-law, Jennifer.  Graciousness and generosity must be attached to her DNA because she practices both of them the way the rest of us put food in our mouths - often and without complaint. She was just raised right, you know.  Jenn is sweet, feminine, and strong (not to mention, the best thing to ever happen to my brother).



The "Jenn" in white



The "Jenn" in bone


Wednesday, May 4, 2011

"Tierra"



My niece.  The oldest of my brother's children.  When she was born, I was a fifteen year old, nerdy high school sophomore who was into musicals and "21 Jump Street" (yes, I'm that old). That didn't stop fate from temporarily moving her crib into my teenage bedroom and waking me up for early morning feedings and diaper changes before I got myself ready for Homeroom.  For various stretches throughout her formative years (and beyond), she lived with my parents and me, and I got to watch this adorable baby develop as babies do - potty training, learning to speak, walking.  I was fascinated and completely in love.  Because I was such a kid myself at the time, watching her grow felt more like watching my little sister grow.

That little baby is now a young woman struggling through her 20s.  Though she has had her share of hardships, she has a strength of will I only wish I had at her age (and truthfully, at my age).  She has a long way to go, but through it all she is...fun, a little edgy, a little girly, and always makes a statement (click on highlighted descriptions for Etsy listing).



The "Tierra" in Antique Brass.


The "Tierra" in Vintage Copper.

Monday, May 2, 2011

"Peggy"



I love earrings.  Honestly, love might be an understatement.  I love them big and, whenever possible, shoulder dusting. I don't wear make-up, and I turned my back on the hair salon a long time ago.  So, every day, after I've showered, brushed my teeth (and my hair), and gotten dressed, I look through my stash for the right pair of earrings to pull every thing together.  There are pairs that I hold as favorites and wear most often, some that I haven't worn in a long time but wouldn't think of parting with, others that I have acquired fairly recently and added to my regular rotation.  All of my earrings, self-made or otherwise, are dear to me.  Sort of like my family or closest girlfriends. 

The truth is, the majority of the people I hold near and dear are far away.  While I'm not saying that having my earrings around makes up for this fact, I have decided to combine my love for earrings with my love for the wonderful women who are my family and those who may as well be family.  In my Etsy shop, I've changed the names of my "made to order" earrings to reflect these women, and I will reveal them one by one.  Today, I introduce you to "Peggy" (or as my brother and I know her, Mama).  She is strong, resilient, and conservative to a point.  She is someone you can count on when you need someone to count on.  Though she is a no-nonsense kind of woman, she has just the right amount of tempered, unfussy sweetness (click on each highlighted color below for the Etsy listing).


 The "Peggy" in red


The "Peggy" in blue


The "Peggy" in metallic silver