Handmade in by New Jersey by Melissa De La Fuente
A tiny charm (1/2 an inch) hand-carved in brass on an 18” goldfilled chain. The words “don’t forget” on the back. Inspired by remembering those you love, the beautiful things in life & how far you’ve come.
Brass has been used to make jewelry for centuries for its beauty, strength and longevity. If you have never worn brass before, you may not be familiar with its care. In hot/humid weather, brass will darken a little quicker than in colder months and may sometimes leave a discoloration behind where it touched your skin. This is normal, is not harmful or permanent, and will come off when you wash your hands. I personally wear my pieces always, even when I wash my hands or bathe, and some pieces leave a mark and some do not.
As for the darkening of brass, a quick polish with my favorite jewelry polishing cloth for 10 to 20 seconds is all it takes to bring it back to its original luster. It is called a "Sunshine Cloth" and can be purchased many places online and is reusable. In addition, all my chains are gold filled so you do not have to polish them. My pieces are made to bring you joy and last forever. Brass is an important component in that.
About the artist:
Having been a jeweler & designer for over 12 years, Melissa de la Fuente creates each piece from start to finish; with emphasis on beauty, longevity, wearability, and significance. She believes that jewelry is a personal form of self-expression and has heard from customers over and over about the personal victories, challenges, and moments that her jewelry has embodied for them. They hold them close, as intended, and take private strength and courage from the piece and what it signifies. Melissa works from her bright & happy studio in her home that she shares with her husband and best friend, her two beautiful daughters, and two sweet dogs. She hand carves or hand builds every piece and pays close attention to every little detail. Each piece is meant to last a lifetime and be passed down through the ages. Brass is her metal of choice for its beauty, strength, longevity, and humility. Her hope is that you find a piece that speaks to you and when you wear it, you feel stronger and more hopeful. Made with a lot of love & care, her pieces are made for everyone & anyone. For the inner warrior, inside us all.