Brave Girl: Hold Your Own Key

 "The secret to her happiness was holding her own key"

                                                                                -  Brave Girl

Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying "people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be".  It's one of the great secrets of life, really.  Taking control of one's own mind, choosing to be happy in each moment on a daily basis can transform your life.  Recognizing the difference between that over which we have control and that which is beyond our control is the first step.  And surprisingly difficult.  It takes a good bit of practice to learn how to stop trying to control the behavior of others.  But once we do, the magic door to Happiness opens and we can begin to enjoy our lives. 


 Women are socialized to make others happy - husbands, children, in-laws, bosses. And we're bombarded with images and messages telling us that we're responsible for everything.  Literally everything.  We're supposed to raise healthy, pretty, popular, well-adjusted children, keep our bosses and co-workers happy, and be the perfect wife who maintains her figure and looks.  All while smiling with perfectly white teeth and gorgeous hair.  

Is it any wonder that we forget to nurture our own happiness in the pursuit of pleasing others? The newest brave girl collection reminds us that we alone have the power to make ourselves happy.  Never give the key to your happiness to someone else.  Hold your own key.

The Traveler Necklace

"Wherever I Go, There I Am"
The Traveler Necklace

A working antique compass with brass case and original beveled glass is the focal point of this piece. From the base of the compass I've hung an antique frosted glass perfume stopper in my own handmade copper bezel. On the antiqued brass chain is an antique barrel skeleton key, a vintage African brass bead with verdigris age patina, and a vintage copper Grotta Azzura (Blue Grotto) Capri souvenir bell charm. I used oxidized steel to create the beaded stations of the chain, and the beads are amazonite, yellow agate, carved horn, and ceramic.

 

Double S-hook clasps allow you to wear this 34" necklace as a choker by hooking the clasps into the bail of the compass. Focal drops an additional 5" from the chain and measures 1 5/8" at its widest point.

SOLD