Last winter, right after I made the jump to working with Leigh-Ann on Freckled Nest full time and Leigh-Ann had just asked me to buy into the business and become a partner, I made a decision. I wanted a talisman. Something I could wear as a reminder of how exhilarating, beautiful and sometimes scary working for myself would be- and something that would help me remember that I could have the life that I really wanted if I worked hard enough and planned carefully enough.
Leigh-Ann loved the idea of getting something special to mark our becoming business partners, so we went out on a hunt through local shops. I had no idea what I was looking for, but as soon as I saw this piece I knew it was for me.
It’s not my usual style of jewellery band it’s not even the kind of metal that I usually wear, but the illustration and the messages stopped me in my tracks. I’m not superstitious but I’m definitely sentimental, and I like that I have a necklace that will have been with me through times when I needed a little reminder.
While I haven’t needed it for some time, I like knowing that hidden in the bottom of my vintage jewellery box it’s there. Ready to remind me that I have what it takes, and that it I just stay balanced, good things will come.
Let’s tell stories today, do you have a piece of jewellery
that you use as a talisman or reminder?
{Necklace by Pick Up Sticks, purchased at my favourite local jewellery shop, Silver Lotus}
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this Kyla!!! What an awesome little talisman that is and a great reminder. You have come so so far!!
I don’t really have anything like that now that I think about it. Maybe I should get something :)
I have a cuff that I wear every day, that’s probably the closest thing. I think of it as a friendship bracelet because one of my best friends gave it to me off of her own arm. It’s actually a piece that came with a Kat Von D watch she had. It’s really simple, but it subtly reminds me of my friendships & the importance of creative bonds. :)
I love this message. Sometimes I find it hard to be brave, but rewards only come with taking chances. It’s a nice reminder for the start of the week.
Hi Kyla, I love your talisman by Pick up Sticks…I have a similar one from them with 4 girls pictured, reminding me of a close friendship I share with three other women…I really enjoy reading your blog.
What a great piece of jewlery.
I don’t really have anything like that… maybe I should? I often wear a ring my parents gave me when I graduated college, though, which to me serves as a constant reminder of their love and support for me. Somedays that’s all I need.
I love the necklace. My parents gave me a tiny box with a sixpence and a delicate little fairy inside, which just refocuses me, and reminds me that I can do this!
Such a lovely idea. I don’t have one, but maybe I should. =)
I couldn’t believe it when I read this post, because I have a necklace that’s almost EXACTLY the same style as the one in your picture! I found it in a little bead shop down the street from my work. On one side is a fleur de lis with the phrase “Take the road less traveled.” On the other side is a black bird on a signpost which reads “You are here.” When I saw it I HAD to own it. There was no other option. :)
I love this! I am incredibly sentimental, too. I have a talisman as well, it’s a moonstone pendant necklace that I wear almost daily. It’s become somewhat of a lucky charm. It glows with rainbows and makes me happy! For me, it’s a daily reminder of my light within (I mean that in the least cheesiest way possible haha.) It reminds me that I have everything I need already inside me. As I’ve been going through a lot of changes in my life, with work especially, it’s a little reminder to be brave and cling to that spark to keep me going on those darker days. Thanks for sharing yours, I think it’s the sweetest thing ever! <3
Oh, Kyla, I love this. You give off the most awesome – “girl can do!” attitude.
My gammy has always said that we are two peas in a pod. For my birthday a few years ago she gave me a pearl and silver pea pod necklace. Pearls aren’t my thing, but that is my most treasured piece of jewelry. I think about her each time I wear it.
Oh darn it, I meant to post the link to my flickr that has a photo of it. :) So here it is.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29380197@N03/5072717318/in/set-72157624618449255
that is a BEAUTIFUL piece. I love jewelry as reminders of life. Some of my most memorable pieces include a very, very old necklace with a four leaf clover locked inside that was my grandmother’s (on my father’s side). It’s really special to me because I never met her, but the second half of my name (May) is hers, and I just know we would have gotten along so fabulously. It’s a good luck charm of sorts, and I just love how many decades it’s already passed through.
I bought a ring in Boulder last summer, shortly after I’d met Chris but while I was still sorting through some personal things around love, independence, and trust. I kind of made a promise to myself that night, to love deeply and to be true to myself, first and foremost. To honor my independence and love of myself. It’s a blue opal, and I’ve worn it every day since. :)
What a great story! Those are the pieces of jewelry I love the most – the ones that stand for something, or remind me of something. I have a few necklaces like that, but nothing “talisman” like and I think I need to change that soon – something to represent these changes (even if only mentally for now!) going on, and remind me that transition can be a good thing. (Because I normally don’t do well with it). LOVE this post!
Love this! What a great talisman to have. Sometimes when I go on a project and I’m nervous about teaching or whatnot, I wear the locket my husband got me for my 17th birthday. It has a picture of the two of us in it, and then I know that his strength is with me :)
I have a very special purple bracelet that was made for me a long time ago. It reminds me of better days, and that if I keep going, everything will be okay. I love the message on yours, it is so very true!
Four months ago I quit my job and packed up my life and moved towns. I was scared but determined to make some changes in my life. Before I left, my best friend gave me a necklace with a little silver silhouette of a girl with a napsack, striding along. I don’t think she meant it to be a talisman but every time I wear it I feel braver and more sure of myself and the decisions I’ve made. I think of it as my talisman.
Ohhh yes I have. A bracelet that actually id a simple thread, I kept it because we were playing with it the day my brother told me he was going to be a daddy. An anklet that means “freedom” reminds me of when the seller wanted Roberto to buy the “love” one for me, but he wanted the freedom one for me =) And a bracelet with many charms everyone with a different meaning. I love these kind of things, but sometimes I feel like I’m a bit obsessed =)
That is so pretty. I love the story behind it.
Oh Kyla, I love this! Two summers ago, I was in between jobs and feeling ultra stressed and anxious about finding the right position. Brett and I were coming up on our two year anniversary and spent a wonderful weekend in Capitola. While we were there, he presented me with a beautiful dogeared necklace in the shape of a feather, which represents fearlessness. He wrote me the sweetest card reminding me I could do anything I set my mind to, and I have loved that necklace ever since (and feathers in general!). In fact, I am getting ready to take a leap of faith career-wise, and am planning to use a feather in my new photography logo ;)
I really love that necklace! I have a bracelet made of red string with a small silver heart charm on it that I bought for myself in the fall of 2009. It was hard time for me – my health problems were still “new” then, I was coping with the change that came from graduating college, and I was being really hard on myself through all of it. I bought the bracelet on a whim, but when it arrived and I put it on, I decided I would wear it always as a reminder to love myself. My best friend also bought me a silver bracelet that Christmas that had the words ‘Believe in Yourself’ on it; she knows me too well, because I don’t have a lot of self-confidence, so it’s exactly the kind of message I needed strapped to my wrist as a reminder.
I have a ring that I got from my best friend that has my name on it. While I don’t wear it everyday, it means a lot to me. I got it at a time when I was coming out of a bad relationship and some other drama. I wear it to remind me that no matter what, I have the love of my best friend and that I love myself :) I even wear it on my left ring finger to replace the ring I once wore there.
I am not a jewelry person at all, but I did fall in love with this delicate wishbone necklace that my cousin gave to me the weekend before I took the CFA. You can bet I will be wearing that necklace tomorrow (and the dress I wore on test day, too). :) I felt good that day, so am hoping I will feel good wearing them tomorrow, which is a huge day in my life, as you know. :)
I just love this Kyla. :)
I love this!
My grandfather was an old-fashioned watchmaker, and he died when I was 4. For my 13th birthday, my grandmother gave me a watch that he made by hand- it’s amazing to be able to wear it and feel close to him, and it always keeps the right time!
I love your idea of having a piece of jewelry to remind you of that point in your life and also your excitement, etc. So lovely!!!
My one and only piece of jewelry I wear constantly is my engagement and wedding ring – it’s my strength on my finger, honestly. When I still lived with my parents, when Jen and I were long distance, it was my comfort and strength through hard times with family. When I worked alone, I needed only to glance down at my finger and know I wasn’t alone. And when I’m happy? It’s right there, shining like my smile. It’s amazing how powerful a little ring can be and it’s perfect for me.
Hi Kyla,
I really enjoyed reading about your talisman and it’s reminder of your beautiful and encouraging story. You inspired me to share the story of my talisman over on my blog.
http://forkandvine.blogspot.com/2011/07/talisman-and-my-father.html
Thanks for sharing your encouraging words!
Kate
i have a ring that was given to me by my grandmother, but originally was my great grandmother’s. it’s a very simple wide gold band which. i don’t wear it everyday, but when i do i can’t stop looking at it. it’s so funny…i look like a new bride who can’t stop looking at her ring! i just love the idea though that i’m wearing something that my grandmother and my great grandmother before her wore. the ring went through the turn of the century, and the roaring 20′s, and the depression, and so much life! and now it’s a part of my life. i wish i knew some of the stories the ring could tell!
going into business with someone else is definitely scary yet rewarding. good for you two for making it work. i love having little pieces of jewelry that remind me of important people and events. i still have an id bracelet from when i was about 5. they were big in the 70s and early 80s. i’ve been meaning to repurpose it into a necklace.
this is truly beautiful!!!♥
oh Kyla, i love this SO much! just knowing you can pull a piece like that out when “needed” is so reassuring. you chose well lades, i adore the message and the darling picture inside. you’ve got a dream job and partnership; few people actually get to follow their passion plus love each of the folks they’re working with too!!!
my Uncle Sandy was drafted in the war when he was just a kid; maybe 15 or 16, they seemed to take anybody even the very young into that war. i can’t imagine what it would be like, playing with your mates one day and shipped off the next. he was one of the lost ones and never came home, although i never met him i was given the medal that the military sent to the family when someone dies. my Mom gave it to me and it’s one of my most treasured belongings. when the blues hit i’ll wear it to help revive out of a funk and feel like he’s my cosmic cheerleader watching over me. you can never go wrong with a talisman! happy week.
I really love the sentiment behind your talisman. A lot :)
I have a certain necklace that I wear every time I fly anywhere. I have to wear it. But that’s the only time I ever do.