Etsy stores offer some of the most unique and beautiful creative endeavors to be found in the world of handmade goods. I know you have a lot of choices. I hope you will find something that delights you at HandMaiden Design.

I've always been interested in "making things". Over the past several decades, I've tried several mediums and found jewelry and wearable art to be the most satisfying. I don't have any mystical statement to make about what I do. It's fun. It's play. I enjoy it, and because others often do, I offer it here on Etsy, as well as other venues.

While my store was officially opened in 2008, I didn't keep it stocked or open consistently until November of 2013. I now have much more time to devote to it.

When you purchase from HandMaiden Design you can be sure of several things...

*First, the items found in my shop are all made by me. One person. You may see something similar, but even within my store, you will only rarely see the same item twice. For instance, you'll find several leather wrap bracelets, but they will all be different and in different price ranges, depending upon the materials used.

*I almost exclusively use solid sterling silver, copper and brass. This does affect the price, but it also effects the life of the piece. I want to create things that live beyond me and memories and treasures you can share with your children's children. I fill that gap between costume/trendy/temporary and fine gold and silver and gemstone jewelry. In the materials I offer, I only pass on the best I can find.

* I am dedicated to the details. It matters to me that what looks like leather is leather, that what appears to be silver is solid sterling silver. I will make a component myself rather than purchase something of inferior quality. I enjoy the tiny details that add up to an interesting, unique and well made bit of art to wear. I hope you do too.

*And finally, I'm not happy until you are. Whether you spent big bucks on a custom piece or $9 on a single pair of horseshoe earrings, I want to make sure that you think of me next time you want quality jewelry and I will do all I can to ensure that.

I check my mail every day. If you'd like to make a reasonable offer or get a discount on multiple (but each unique, of course) items for say a wedding party keepsake, please contact me. I am most happy when creating something I know will be loved.

In addition to jewelry, you'll find some overflow of handmade supplies, stained glass, little ceramic components, jewelry beads, parts and findings under "DESTASH". On occasion, there will be finished home decor items as well - hand painted wood eggs, bowls, boxes and beads, greeting cards and one of a kind little delights. I believe there is a duck decoy and a 5 foot, hand painted Hercules club gourd around here somewhere to be listed soon.

There may be other surprises.

In order to keep my offerings as affordable as possible, and to do my part to recycle and reuse, much of my art is created with reclaimed materials. I use everything from rescued sterling silver flat wear to bits of original (mine) illustrations that didn't quite work, to wood bowls and hardware.and have a gaggle of friends who are always on the lookout for the strange and unusual items that have the potential for new life. I often trade and barter for the scraps of stained glass and metals too small for other artists.

I use recycled and up-cycled materials in shipping your order. All finished jewelry is gift packaged - to share or to keep for yourself. I hope you will also recycle the materials used to protect and present your purchase.

I think it was Einstein who said, "Make a living at what you love and you will never work a day in your life".

It's been very true for me. I hope it is for you as well.

Aly Cooney ~ Fall 2014