The Owl Jewelry Collection: A Tribute to Grandmothers' Collections

Treasured Memories, Timeless Keepsakes

Collections. Almost every maw maw we knew growing up had at least one, and it was usually animal-themed, with knickknacks, souvenirs, mementos, and trinkets picked up over a lifetime. They line dusty shelves packed with memories and an affinity for everything from cardinals to cows. 

The Stories Behind the Keepsakes

The kind of keepsakes kept to keep a memory close and the excuse to tell its story closer. “I got that one on our trip to Arizona.” “Your great aunt Nita gave me that one when I retired.” and on and on. 

I grew up with a grandmother obsessed with owls. If it was in the shape of or decorated with any kind of owl, it was likely coming home with her. By the time I came along, more than one letterpress drawer turned shelf was loaded with these birds of the night. I’d pick them up one by one like a key that unlocked a story only my grandmother could tell.

 

One More Moment to Remember

When she passed away last fall, I told my mom not to stress over saving things for me; I had all the memories I needed. 

Owl in My Mimosa

This February, a barred owl came to visit one night. We’ve never had an owl in our yard, and this one landed right above my head in the mimosa tree I planted as a sapling. It stayed a while looking down at me, and something at that moment shifted. I’m not saying that owl was my grandmother visiting me… but I’m not saying it wasn’t. All I know is I knew immediately I was going to ask for what was left of her owl collection and create one more piece to complete it.

The Owl Jewelry Collection

A barred owl, carefully carved in tedious detail, one eye-straining feather at a time. A labor of love only made possible by profound meaning.

This owl is for my grandmother. One more memento for a moment worth remembering. 

Lost Wax Carved Jewelry

For our owl jewelry Madeline hand carved each original piece in wax. MIMOSA uses the ancient art of Lost Wax casting to create all of our pieces of Owl Jewelry. See below for more behind the scenes of the owl cuff in the hand carving process.