I am old enough to remember when Earth Day celebrations began. I do not recall exactly what or how I celebrated, but I know I have been hearing "Give a Hoot", watched a tear being shed over a garbage, recycled tons, for my whole life, sadly, to no avail. However, I want to share my "green" philosophy about my jewelry making. First, metal and gemstone mining is one of the most poisonous and hazardous things humans do. I am not going to pretend this industry is without responsibility. On that note, let me say that my supplier has a values and stewardship page: https://www.riogrande.com/about-us/values--stewardship/ and I believe they are doing something, if not the best that can be done in this industry.
On my part, I create a product that is meant to last. It is not plastic, though I confess I use plastic packaging. I have many customers who have been wearing my pieces for years, some of them literally daily for years! That is the best compliment to me. I do not spend my time creating a product for a landfill. I would rather my work be donated or given away than forgotten in a drawer or box. My designs follow trends but are not trendy, I want my jewelry to be enjoyed for a lifetime, so I keep my designs timeless, classic, simple. There is a movement for "forever" clothing, and other consumables. Maybe a pay a bit more, for better quality so the item lasts, and does not need to be replaced. My product fits that niche nicely. I call my jewelry heirloom quality. It is my sincerest wish that my work be passed on when it has been enjoyed for a lifetime.
Lyrics "Built to Last" by Robert Hunter, performed by the Grateful Dead
There are times when you can beckon There are times when you must call You can take a lot of reckoning But you can't take it all There are times when I can help you out And times when you must fall There are times when you must live in doubt And I can't help at all Three blue stars rise on the hill Sing no more now just be still All these trials soon be past Look for something built to last A wind held by the collar Yes, a cloud held by the breeze You can walk on coals of fire But sometimes you must freeze There are times when you offend me And I do the same to you If we can't or won't forget it I guess we could be through One blue star sets on the hill Call it back, you never will One more star sinks in the past Show me something built to last Built to last 'til time itself falls tumbling from the wall Built to last 'til sunshine fails and darkness moves on all Built to last while years roll past like cloudscapes in the sky Show me something built to last or something built to try There are times when you get hit upon Try hard but you cannot give Other times you'd gladly part With what you need to live Don't waste your breath to save your face When you have done your best And even more is asked of you Fate will decide the rest All the stars are gone but one Morning breaks, here comes the sun Cross the sky now sinking fast Show me something built to last Three blue stars rise on the hill Sing no more now just be still All these trials soon be past Look for something built to last One blue star sets on the hill Call it back, you never will One more star sinks in the past Show me something built to last All the stars are gone but one Morning breaks, here comes the sun Cross the sky now sinking fast Show me something built to last
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