things remembered

no offense to mall shopping, but most of us have only experienced "engraving" as a service you get for free on a money clip or a picture frame in a crowded store at the mall. it has certainly been my experience, which is why i am so blown away by the simple, yet exquisite pieces of jewelry by san francisco artist jeanine payer.

hand-engraved poetry and sayings adorn each of her simply shaped and finished pieces, and i adore them. in the jewelry world, there is so much same-ness and her pieces are so different and interesting. for me, there is also something really soothing about them - the gentle lines of the pieces themselves, and then the same qualities of the hand in which the words are written. on her website, jeanine says "i believe in pieces having a wonder about them. i like making things that are at once both powerful and private."

and powerful and private is exactly how i would describe the way i felt holding them and poring over them. i think the sales clerk helping me was getting a little nervous i was going to make a mad dash with one with this apache blessing. it said:

may the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night
may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being
may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life

i mean, can you blame me? but i think next time i want to admire her work, i need to hit up a different store. her website lists where her pieces are sold in each state, and if you're in NY, fragments, among other places, carries her work. and if you're unfamiliar with fragments, you're welcome.

one of jeanine's pieces would be an unforgettable gift - one i would be thrilled to give or receive.