Raleigh, North Carolina is a bastion of creativity. Your ankles are lapped by creative juices on every corner of this town, be it an architect, textile artist, painter, writer, aerial acrobat, musician, chef, or jewelry maker. The local movement shouldn’t just be about food and farming. I want to celebrate local folks who are increasing the currency of our city in ways that are measured beyond dollars and cents. But words and accolades alone don’t pay bills, so you should totally support these artists with your dollars and cents.
By the way, I’ll just be sharing stuff I dig; none of this compensated, and I haven’t gotten product for free. I’m kicking off Handmade in Raleigh with a favorite jewelry designer.
It all started on the playground, as so many things to do. This is where moms gather and talk and exchange ideas. Conversation flows in equal parts complaining and cooing. The playground was not the place I expected to find a new fashion favorite, however. My friend Anne was casually dressed, sporting of simple silver necklace that I just couldn’t keep my eyes off of. After a bit of staring and inability to maintain eye contact, I finally had to inject a non sequitur into our conversation to ask her where it came from. And that’s when I discovered Spark Metal Studio.
To choose just one piece from Kathleen’s website is a task I am unfit to take on. Even my husband poured over the website for ages before choosing a necklace for me for Mother’s Day. It ranks among my favorite pieces of jewelry, and I swear to you a stranger stops me to ask about it every single time I wear it. It’s not just jewelry; it’s art that dangles around my neck. Running my fingers along the stainless steel and resin is a tactile pleasure. What’s more, I don’t break out in itchy rashy hives like I do when I wear other jewelry. Costume jewelry isn’t made for me so I always lament not being able to don the fun accessories that my friends can wear. Thanks for being my savior in this jewelry department, Kathleen.
I pretty much want one of everything.
