The Story of the Happy Faces
They came to life a few years ago when I made one for my wife, Jo. Her mom used to send her cards, texts, and messages with smiley faces on them for years. She collected happy face tchotchkes and always signed her cards to Jo with a happy face sticker or stamp. After her mom passed away, I wanted to make Jo something special to carry that memory with her. The happy face necklace was born.
Now, without Jo here, these necklaces mean even more to me. I love seeing them head out into the world, hearing your ideas for custom versions, and making them for you.
How they're made:
Each happy face is fabricated entirely by hand. I recycle the silver, melt it into a small blob, then forge it into shape with a lot of hammering. From there, it's refined with files, then sanding and texture.
The tiny 18k details are soldered on individually, a delicate process that takes patience, a steady hand, a deep breath, and very good magnifying glasses. Making these has been great practice for my soldering skills, something every jeweler needs.
Last year, a customer asked for this piece to go alongside the original Happy Face already in her collection. The best part? She completely read my mind. I'd already been planning this version, down to a little yellow Post-it on my workbench about it.
I love it when you read my mind with jewelry requests. So now this piece is part of the collection too, because it's not always smiles, and sometimes it feels just as important to honor the sad as the happy.
Im always open to discuss custom creations, and I've loved working with you on your custom ideas for happy faces. A few favorites include making a lariat version with a front facing clasp in gold, a large happy face ring on a Monument Style band, and a solid gold version with the addition of a bunch of handmade links. If you want to talk details about creating a custom creation, you can message me here .