May is Older Americans Month, and I’ve had the incredible privilege of capturing several older women’s stories to create rings. Most of these rings have been spurred on by family members who desire to honor their loved one and the impact they have made on so many lives.
This year’s Older Americans Month theme is “Powered by Connection,” and wow, did this speak to me! It’s obvious in all the stories I’ve captured that the common thread was prioritizing connection and relationships. May our “Golden Girls'” stories remind you to cherish one another and celebrate the older adults in your life!
The San Lily of the Valley Signet Ring
San is my chosen mama. She is my partner’s mom, and I’m fortunate to have met her during a vulnerable time in my life. I had no hair and was going through lymphoma treatments. She embraced me despite all the risk.
A decade has passed since then and she continues to lend an ear and offer support through all of my ups and downs. When I started Sister Sister, she took on the role of biggest fan. She was there when my first designs came in from the 3D printer. We marveled at the rings together, and even now she never fails to get excited about the latest designs.
Her ring was inspired by her Lilies of the Valley wedding bouquet. After the wedding, she took seeds from the flowers and scattered them all around the camp she and her husband ran. Decades later, those same Lilies of the Valley can be found blooming at camp each spring and summer.
The Marlene Flower Birthstone Ring
Marlene was a woman without a filter, as real as real could get. Marlene was not afraid to say what she was thinking. In a world where so many always choose their words with care, you never had to wonder what she was thinking. She ultimately died of cardiac arrest. It was sudden and unexpected. You would never have known her heart history if you met her. She worked hard, loved hard, and was full of life.
Marlene’s ring is inspired by the flower necklace that she always wore. She used to tease that one of her loved ones would inherit it after she died. Instead of any one person getting it, Marlene’s family turned this heirloom into the traveling necklace. Think: the sisterhood of the traveling pants. Whenever one of Marlene’s loved ones is part of a special event where her absence is felt, that person wears it.
The Ann Celtic Knot Ring
Ann is the matriarch of a large Irish Catholic family and is the epitome of a boss lady. She is a fiercely independent woman, full of love and compassion for others. Despite her own hardships, she continues to be a source of encouragement and strength for her entire family, pushing them to drive towards their dreams and never accepting less than their best. She is a believer in living up to your responsibilities, the power of education, and that family comes before all.
Ann’s home is filled with Irish memorabilia, family photos and crests. She has a passion for family history and genealogy, mapping her entire family tree. Her favorite getaway was to Ireland with her sisters and nieces. While there they connected with second cousins, who still live in Ireland.
Ann’s design pays homage to her heritage and favorite getaway.
The Judy Braided Ring
The Judy ring was inspired by a matriarch who was lost during the pandemic. What is remembered the most is how much Judy cherished her time with her darling husband, her growing family, and many dear friends.
Judy used her gravity to pull and interweave her family together. While her family loved her boldness, it is the little details of her life that they recall the most. Those ever-so-little daily memories of Judy are the very fabric that maintain her family’s loving and everlasting bond.
The braid of the ring honors the matriarchs of families, who always find ways to keep their loved ones connected and interweaved together.
The Tina Petite Starburst Signet Ring
Tina passed away from cancer, but she was such a positive light in this world. When she stepped into a room it was brighter. Her children describe their childhood as pure magic. Tina was a singer in a band with her husband and longtime friend – it was called Tina & The Teenettes.
One of her favorite things was when her family gathered around the dinner table. She referred to it as a golden circle – a place where her loved ones could go for safety & love.
When it came time to design a ring in memory of Tina, it was a no brainer. We went with a starburst to signify the bright light when she entered the room, and the round signet to represent that golden circle.
Each piece of our jewelry celebrates the stories of women from all walks of life. One of their stories might just speak to you!