I love all that glitters…okay well I love jewelry.  It’s one of the girly things I started paying attention to in college to pair with my jeans, sweat jacket with my hair pulled back into a pony tail so I would look more put together.  It worked and I was hooked.  I started collecting a new pair of earrings, a ring or a necklace each trip I made to the mall.  Then as my love of fashion and fun grew so did my collection.

I’m careful with what I buy because I don’t fall apart quickly.  I don’t love gold and diamonds so I can find beautiful things without extravagant costs, but I want quality and things that stand out as “Me.” I can only wear my wedding set with my uniform for work so I take pride in what I wear on other days.  It’s all about the quality over the quantity.My days of buying junk jewelry for the sake of having something are gone.  Now I focus on things I really love and enjoy searching for a new set or earrings or necklace I will want to wear every day.

I guess that’s the reason I made #4 on my new list Buy Two Unique Pieces of Jewelry from Etsy.  I search and pin from Etsy all day so why not buy unique pieces designed and handcrafted by one of the shop owners?

I’m happy to say my first custom jewelry experience was with RedStar5 Designs owned by my friend Meegan.  I saw her fabulous jewelry at Fitbloggin’ last year but missed out on purchasing a piece.  I wanted to ask her to design me a piece but my anxiety always held me from pushing the send button the email.  So when she blogged about starting an Etsy shop I direct messaged her about creating a custom piece immediately.  It was perfect and I was so excited.

Meegan has many one of a kind designs using natural stone and beads in her shop to purchase it was so hard to even think of which I would purchase.  So when designing something just for me she was even more wonderful in helping me figure out what I wanted.  Honestly I had no idea.  She asked me several questions to get an idea before designing.

• Longer or shorter?
• Gold or silver?
• Color or neutrals?
• Symmetrical or Asymmetrical?
• Specific type of outfits I want to wear it with?
• Favorite stones or beads?

A few emails and questions answered and I let Meegan go to work.  When she’d completed the necklace she sent proof photos for my approval and I giggled with glee at my desk.  The necklace was gorgeous…you’ll get to see it, just wait a minute.  She asked if I wanted any adjustments and gave me examples of standard necklace length.  Meegan made an adjustment to the length by adding a few jade beads to the ends and an extender to the clasp for my wide collar bones so I can wear it shorter or longer.  The result was this stunning asymmetrical necklace in blues, greens and yellows that I just cannot take off or stop looking at.  Working with Meegan as an artist brought together a necklace I would never have dreamed up but love and wear all the time.

I wear it so often because it starts conversations.  It’s unique and beautiful and me.  The stones are all stand out yet work together and make me love them even more with each outfit I wear.  The package arrived with a wonderful red star on the front and in a padded mailer to prevent damage.  Inside was my design wrapped up in a bow and a sweet note from Meegan.  The hints of her Red Star 5 are there without being overwhelming.  If you read post I just linked I’m happy to help her fill that cup.

This necklace was about more than just completing a part of a 101 goal…it was a reward for taking care of me and focusing on my needs over the previous 6 months.  I’m notorious for focusing so much on others I neglect myself.  I’ve done that so many times with our moving and starting this new position and setting up house and finding new doctors, gym, vet…well you get the picture.  I’d put myself on the back burner and it showed in my body and my soul.  Each time I wear this necklace it’s a great reminder of my personal worth.  I’m worth the time it takes to make something beautiful.  I’m worth the time it takes to make me happy.  I’m worth the time it takes to sit still just for a moment and enjoy me.  I love the workmanship in this necklace and reach for it again and again…and I love the reminder when I look in the mirror to love me because I’m worth it. 

*I was not compensated in any manner for this review.  I contacted Meegan about designing this piece of jewelry and paid the standard price for a custom designed piece.  I just love it so much and wanted to share it and her Etsy shop with you.*