The woman tells the story
As a child, I pined for 'real' art supplies, frustrated with the clunky crayons and blunt scissors of kindergarten days. I realize now I was an aspiring artist, longing for quality and precision to fabricate the creations my mind was envisioning. It is only by reflecting backwards that I can see the hand of provision that created my path with these early desires in mind. Its now been almost 30 years now of creating and sharing one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry with the many women who have truly become my friends during our art shows.
Wanderlust took hold of me as a young woman and I decided to travel to Europe in order to forestall a decision about college...during that time I somehow discovered the infamous lace shops of Bruges, Belgium. These overcrowded boutiques were piled with layers of gorgeous tablecloths, bedspreads, christening gowns of....LACE! They were absolutely breathtaking, each one more beautiful than the last, some hundreds of years old!
While others visited the sights, I couldn't leave, irresistibly drawn to carefully choosing the particular fragments I could afford as the souvenirs I brought home. Next, the scattered outdoor markets of France mesmerized me with their treasures of clustered Bohemian garnet brooches and antique buttons... Surely I could eat bread and cheese for another few weeks to buy a few..
Little did I realize then that a love of antique treasures, indescribably delicate woven lace and tiny gems would come together as a way to stay addicted to them all-you guessed it, by becoming a purveyor!
I returned to the US with my treasure trove and began winding together gemstones and antique elements. I went to New York City and found dusty shops with rickety ladders and drawers of old brass findings rising to the ceilings. These I brought home and began fashioning vine like earrings which people wanted to buy! I couldn't have been more surprised!
I became enamored with the eclectic outdoor community art festivals, first sprung up in the 70's. So for many years I crisscrossed the country, visiting intentional communities and seeing natural wonders along the way..I had found a love, and a life of freedom, my own ramshackle boutique emerging out of a well worn van, a sweet independence. But how long could it last?
Refining my craft over the years, I found I especially enjoyed designing particularly to suit real customers; women of every conceivable variety! Each woman had unique undertones, shadings of eye color, hair color, that made her lovely in her own unique way. Some had the most delicate of colorings and needed pale, washed out subtle hues. Some had a richer visage that needed smokey or vivid colors to bring out their beauty. Developing an eye for using gemstones and pearls as a sort of color enhancement palette, I began encircling my customers necks with just the right hues to highlight their own attributes. The light in their eyes as I selected just the right scale and color for each one really blessed my socks off! I was hooked!
Often even for a woman who had rarely worn jewelry, I could suit something she truly loved and felt comfortable in. My love of Victorian buttons led to my teaching myself the Victorian lace-making technique of hand crocheting. I began using a polymer nylon filament that was finer and more durable than silk, and tinier gemstones and pearls. These necklaces were so durable that my customers began wearing them to do yoga, swim and even work out in!
At an art show in 2001, I met and fell in love with my beloved artist husband, Henry. Doing art shows as a family, we raised 3 beautiful children, nursing them from the age of 2 weeks at the shows, trading places and gradually setting up a tepee behind the booth for them to folic in. At some point we launched on the grand endeavor of moving to Trinidad for a season of four years to allow our kids to experience both sides of their heritage. What an adventure that was! While we were there, I continued to fly back and forth to do art shows in the States monthly, my customers becoming my support system and sounding board.
Many fond memories were made during the wonderful years of raising our small children and traveling as an artist family. I'm so grateful for the many well wishes and support that fueled our energies during that time as old friends got our yearly updates at each show!
Coming home in 2015 was a sweet homecoming, involving many changes, and new growth as well. We have managed to eke out a living as an artist team. We are very grateful. Its been a long and favorable run, thanks to God.
But now, as the world changes we are trying to move with the shift. For many years you have asked for a website. I know it's more convenient, I know we could do more business, but honestly I was unwilling to give up seeing your beautiful faces, and getting that hands-on touch and connection I have felt with so many of you! Now it seems I am forced into the gears of change, and yet I trust that the outcome is for a good reason.
It is with a heart full of emotion that I am so grateful to Lilly who is helping me get an online presence, to Ada and others who never failed to encourage me to believe online could even be for me! For all the beautiful women of great diversity who have allowed my humble craft to bless them, and helped me develop something that has given me so much joy, thank you!!! I treasure you all, and am praying that this new avenue will give us new passage in continuing relationship.
With much love and appreciation,
Annie Jalsa
In The Beginning Jewelry
Ps The proof is in the pudding and I am asking my beloved customers if they would kindly leave us a review of how much they have enjoyed their necklaces to spread the word about us to others. How I regret not getting a picture of so many of you who have looked so becoming in your signature piece! Would you consider sending me a pic of you in it and review us as a testimonial?
