What Does Handmade Jewelry Really Mean?
When you see the word handmade, what comes to mind? Maybe you picture an artist at their workbench, shaping silver with their hands, every detail crafted with care. Or maybe you think of online marketplaces where the word “handmade” gets used loosely — sometimes even for jewelry that was mass-produced overseas.
It can be confusing, right? What does handmade actually mean? And why does it matter when you’re choosing something as personal and meaningful as jewelry?
Handmade vs. Handcrafted
The truth is, the terms “handmade” and “handcrafted” are often used interchangeably. But there are some subtle differences:
- Handcrafted jewelry can include pre-made or machine-made components that are then assembled by hand.
- Handmade jewelry typically means the piece is created from raw materials, shaped and formed entirely by human hands and hand-controlled tools.
Even the Federal Trade Commission has weighed in, defining handmade as jewelry shaped and formed from raw materials through hand labor and hand-controlled methods.
But here’s the thing: while definitions are helpful, what truly matters is the story, intention, and care behind each piece.
How I Create My Handmade Jewelry
Every pendant and keepsake I make begins with metal clay — a fascinating material made of tiny metal particles, water, and an organic binder. Once fired, the binder burns away, leaving behind solid sterling silver or 22k gold.
From there, each piece goes through a process that is as personal as it is hands-on:
- Clients send me photos of their loved one’s fingerprint, handwriting, paw print, or nose texture.
- I carefully edit the images to preserve every little line and swirl, then create photopolymer plates that allow me to press those details into the metal clay.
- Each piece is hand-cut with a needle tool, shaped, and refined — sometimes freehand, sometimes using templates.
- Dimensional elements, like layered borders or bezels for stones, are added one by one, completely by hand.
- The pieces are dried and hand-sanded to smooth and perfect the shape. They’re then fired in a kiln for 3–7 hours, transforming the clay into solid silver or gold.
- Finally, I polish each piece by hand with rotary tools, add the patina and sometimes give it a final spin in a magnetic tumbler for extra shine.
The chains and jump rings I use are pre-made, which is standard in fine jewelry, but every pendant — the heart of the piece — is made from start to finish by hand, in my home studio.
No two pieces are ever the same.
Why Handmade Matters
Mass-produced jewelry has its place, but it can never carry the same meaning as something truly handmade. When you choose a piece of jewelry from me, you’re not just buying a pendant. You’re capturing a fingerprint, a handwritten note, or the memory of a beloved pet, preserving it in precious metal for generations.
Handmade means time, skill, and intention poured into every step. It means imperfections that make each piece unique. It means a real person — me — is behind your jewelry, shaping it with care and love, hoping it brings you comfort, joy, and connection.
The Heart of Handmade
At the end of the day, whether we call it handmade or handcrafted, what matters most is the heart behind it.
When you hold one of my pieces, you can feel the story in it — your story. That’s the beauty of true handmade jewelry: it’s created for someone special, with purpose, love, and hands that believe in honoring memories.
Because handmade is more than a method. It’s a promise.
