“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand – and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late.” – Marie Beynon Ray
I follow an amazing local jeweller called Tuesday Jewellery (check out their Facebook page here & Instagram here) & am always blown away by her designs & the amount of effort & thought that goes into designing each individual piece. After following her for a while, I looked back at some of her older posts & discovered something that drew me to her even more. You see, the creator is also a spoonie. She has Cystic Fibrosis, & has received a bi-lateral lung transplant. And this is how her company received it’s name…
Given how very special Cathy is, her pieces are not simply jewellery, but have a lot of meaning behind each individual earring/necklace/charm/bracelet.
I had to include some examples below (these you can buy directly from their Etsy store, or contact them through Facebook for more info)
This is our BUTTERFLY pendant in solid 9ct rose or yellow gold and sterling silver. This simple pendant has been painstakingly designed for the symbolism it hopes to communicate.
The butterfly has always represented new beginnings, rebirth and new life. But here each delicate wing represents a life, donor and recipient, one gold and one silver, but forever physically fused together. The silver wing is made complete by the piece (read organ) taken from the gold wing.
And only because of the hole in the gold wing is the silver wing made whole. The two wings denote two sides of the same story, both with a real story to tell.
This butterfly also signifies the living donor and recipient scenario, where for example one kidney is donated; a lifegiving sacrifice that will always bind the two lives together.
We could go on and on about the symbolism of our little butterfly…. as you can also see the shape of the wings is a nod to my transplant; two beautiful new lungs. But this jewellery is for everyone touched by Transplant; organ donors, recipients, advocates, friends and family.
Wear the imagery and you can start a conversation, tell the story, become an organ donor, save lives. – TUESDAY Jewelry
And besides, its beautiful.
Beautifully packaged and branded, with printed cards explaining the symbolism behind each collection and the story behind TUESDAY Jewelry.
The Forget Me Not Collection:
‘the unexpected things that happen (on any ordinary Tuesday) that change us forever don’t need help being remembered, but what a fitting little flower to make your jewellery a little more meaningful.’ TUESDAY Jewelry.
There are so many beautiful collections – like the “silver lining”, “imperfect heart” & “heartbeat” – make sure you go check them out for yourself as I am sure there is something that will truly speak to you.
Cathy posted something on Instagram asking for ideas of what people would like to see, & I reached out to her to ask her to please make something with snowflakes. Snowflakes have a very special meaning for me, as people with Myasthenia Gravis are often referred to as snowflakes as no 2 patients have the same symptoms or treatments – we are all unique. I shared my story with her, & we just ‘clicked’. She also wanted to do a giveaway with Rare Diseases South Africa to help create awareness – I mean, how amazing is that?
“Be As Unique As A Snowflake: Embrace All Your Dimensions” – Viola Shipman
She sent me pics along the way of how these were coming along – right from the original design to the finished product. Can you believe that these are each hand made with love? Again showing their uniqueness & the fact that they are one of a kind – just like an MG patient!
When these were available on their online store, she wrote the following beautiful piece:
Our Snowflake pendant and earring set were designed for someone who specifically asked us to design something, as snowflakes have such special meaning to her. In making and researching them we realised that snowflakes have so many symbolic attributes- besides being insanely beautiful and delicate and feminine…
‘Never perfect, snowflakes survive a long journey to earth in a disorderly, hostile environment. Fragile and fleeting. Each one beautiful. Each one unique.
Just like us – fragile and yet able to withstand so much. Each of us unique, but all still people.
– TUESDAY Jewelry
When I finally got to see what the finished product looked like, I was completely blown away – and even more so when Cathy sent me my very own snowflake necklace.
I really feel you should be proud to wear what you are wearing, & if there is a story behind it – even better! Often people have asked me where I got my gorgeous necklace from, & I have been able to tell them a bit more about MG, but also share just how special & unique this gift is to me. Thank you Cathy for your kind heart & creativity. I have loved getting to know you, & will treasure my necklace forever x
