My Handcrafted Jewelry Shopping Experiences

by Anonymous

When I was vacationing in Barcelona, I had the great pleasure and fortune to come across a craft fair in the plaza one day. There were merchants who were selling handcrafted sterling silver jewelry.

Their designs were all unique, and I could tell they paid close attention to detail so as to be sure their pieces were constructed with top quality in mind.

What I found so intriguing about these handcrafted pieces was knowing that these were not mass-produced, meaning I would not see them anywhere else.

I loved the idea of having a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.

This was such a better shopping experience than just going into a jewelry store in the mall and buying mass-produced jewelry.

These pieces at the Barcelona craft fair were all beautiful pieces that were unique. And I knew that whatever I bought, and whatever I gave away as gifts, my friends and I would be the only ones wearing that particular piece!

So I bought several handcrafted necklaces and handmade earrings for myself and as unique and charming gifts for my family and friends back home.

I like to think I have a certain sense of fashion style and flair. It’s important to me to be perceived by others of having good taste.

I’m a businesswoman who is always seeking to show my best appearance to clients. First impressions are only made once. When I know I am wearing a unique piece of jewelry that says to others I have a special knack for picking out something rare and beautiful that complements my personal style, I feel a huge boost of confidence. It allows other people to know I care about my appearance and I care how others see me.

When I wear any of my unique handcrafted jewelry pieces, I know I am accenting my wardrobe in a special way and I am making a statement about who I am.

Even amongst similar pieces, I could notice right away that each one always differed slightly from the others. Because the jewelry was hand crafted, the minor variations are expected. So no two pieces are ever going to be exactly alike.

One of my favorite pieces is a necklace made of dark brown jet which I was told is technically a jewel fossil rather than a mineral.

I like that the artists who make these unique pieces of jewelry are doing it for the love of the art. They are not standing at a machine all day, cranking out thousands of the same item. They put part of themselves into their art, and it shows. It makes me proud to wear something of theirs.

I was traveling on the western coast of Hawaii a few months before my parents’ 35th wedding anniversary when I was lucky enough to walk right into a craft bazaar. I found the most amazing handcrafted pink coral chain and rings.

I got my mother a ring and my father a simple chain. I had just recently read that pink coral is the gemstone for 35th wedding anniversaries, so I was just ecstatic to find such a treasure with special meaning for them to mark their special day.

I would love to see handmade jewelry offered in different venues other than just the traditional craft fairs. How about seeing more handcrafted jewelry being sold in local events and expos?

Also, sometimes when I see a jewelry booth, I think to myself that the pieces could be made to look more appealing if they added more lighting to their booth. Maybe some pretty Tiffany lamps to shine on the jewelry to make them sparkle and catch the eye!