The Chestnut Forge

Mettle : the ability to face difficulties in a resilient way. 🔥 ▪ Facing the challenges life slings onto our path takes bravery and determination. Humans are blessed with this wonderful ability to reason and adapt...we are resilient creatures, with such incredible capacities to achieve! 💕 ▪ The Mettle Stud is a sweet reminder to fill your heart with courage and live each day with purpose. 💗 . . . . . . . #mettle #havecourage #livewithpurpose #bebrave #bebright #behuman #earringlove #earrings #studearrings #modernjewelry #modernearrings #wearhandmade #tinyearrings #youareworthy #youareimportant #untraditional #uniquejewelry #artisanmade #artjewelry #americanmade #simplejewelry #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CEj_fJajeP0/?igshid=ahhxur6wca8c

Just got these sweet things up! 😍 ▪ They're rose gold filled with a ball of silver melted onto the end...you can also get yellow gold filled and 14k gold. 💗 ▪ Remember to take 20% off all of my earrings with code FLASH20, and of you spend $100, use code FLASH25 to get 25% off your entire purchase! 😘 . . . . . . . . #earrings #rosegoldearrings #threaderearrings #simplejewelry #simpleearrings #jewelryjunkie #jewelrylovers #jewelryisalwaysagoodidea #handcrafted #handmadejewelry #jewelrydesigner #getyourhandsonit #goodvibes #flashsale #designerjewelry #design #doingmybest #supportsmall #silverjewelry #americanmade #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CELAgOHjnqf/?igshid=1ml6xb7hdyz2

Awakening Unseen is the name of this magnificent Labradorite baby. In Inuit folklore, this gorgeous stone fell from the fires of the aurora borealis. Chase your dreams with her at your side, keeping your heart connected with your inner awareness. 💕 ▪ 💥 It's Friday! Are you ready for another ＦＬＡＳＨ ＳＡＬＥ ?!! ▪ This is the weekend of 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔! I have been adding more new pieces all week. Go check them out, link's in my bio!! 😘 ▪ Use code 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗛𝟮𝟬 for 20% off all earrings ▪ 👉 Spend $100 and get 25% off your entire purchase with code 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗛𝟮𝟱 ▪ ❤ Remember... - every $50+ order gets a FREE pair of cute heart hoops! - every order helps support other small businesses with my #smallbusinesssupportpledge ✌ - a portion of every purchase is donated to FreeFrom to help survivors of domestic violence get on their feet and thrive. 💗 . . . . . . . #flashsale #wearhandmade #supportsmall #supportsmallshops #shopsmall #shopstlouis #shophandmade #shoplocal #makerlife #madewithcare #makermovement #makersgonnamake #labradorite #labradoritering #feedyoursoul #crystalhealing #crystaljewelry #crystalmeanings #bebright #behuman #beyou #forginglove #thoughtfullymade #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CEKQiZEjUbN/?igshid=3owl46imlrlv

Honest words, here. I'm not in love with myself. Not yet. I'm on a journey, and it's a constant battle, and when I say battle, I mean it. I'm at war with my inner criticisms all the time, and let's be frank, most of us have this type of struggle, at least some of the time. 💕 ▪ Here's the thing, though. Everyone walks through life on a unique path. We each bear the scars of our history, some visible, some invisible, but we all have them. Our past can't be a haunting demon at times. We're only human, after all. Learning to accept them as part of our glorious evolution is where we begin to heal and find peace. 🌱 ▪ My work is centered around love. Loving yourself. Loving others. Knowing love. Honest love. Walking in love. And finding the gentle awareness that it is enough to be you...more than enough. 💗 ▪ It's a struggle I experience the most when I have to believe I'm beautiful enough to model my work. This picture was taken right after I was covering my face, hating myself, and fighting back tears. 🌼 ▪ The sweet tenderness of my husband, telling me he wouldn't let me be so mean to myself, and finally, his terrible dad jokes brought that smile back to life. It was love. His love for me. My love for him. And finally, I had to agree...to make an effort, all over again, to bite back at my insecurities and love me for being me. ❤ ▪ Be tender with yourself. You deserve it. 💕 . . . . . . . . . . #loveme #selflovewarrior #selflovery #learnandgrow #selflove #selfcare #beinghuman #beingme #imperfectlyperfect #perfectlyimperfect #perspective #lovemeloveyou #honestlove #honoryourself #metalsmith #jewelrydesigner #artjewelry #artisanmade #jeweler #untraditional #americanmade #handmadeinstl #stlouismade #stlouismo #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CEIZosFDPGT/?igshid=8m4kddipv8mv

Have you ever noticed that I use these faux flowers in so many of my photos? 🌼 ▪ They're made by hand with salvaged copper for the stems and silk and satin for the blossoms and leaves. You can get them by the stem or as a bouquet. I haven't made any arrangements, and I'm still adding more, but I just love them, and of course, you can request anything custom. 💗 ▪ They're all over my house, and I used them in my wedding bouquets and table settings. Honestly, there were several big things I would have changed about our wedding, and I really felt like I failed in terms of entertainment, but the friends, family, food, and flowers were just perfect to me. I worked so hard on everything, and I'm glad I did. 💕 ▪ These flowers made a huge impact on me, not only because I make them, but because of the beautiful memories they bring, and I'm happy to share them to become precious memories for you. 😘 . . . . . . . #fauxflowers #fauxflorals #fauxflower #fabricflowers #flowers #flowerpower #florals #handcrafted #handmadeinstl #handmadewithlove❤ #jewelryartist #jewelryisalwaysagoodidea #keepmovingforward #knowyouareloved #preciousmemories #bouquetofflowers #littlethings #itsthelittlethings #custommade #bewhoyouare #exploretocreate #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CEF3JD-jNr6/?igshid=54nnijpccrl2

If you haven't already heard, these beautiful babies are my newest heart hoops. 💕 ▪ They're only available as a FREE GIFT with any $50 purchase. 😍 ▪ I might have to do them in rose gold too. So darn cute! What do you think? 💗 ▪ 🌱 Remember... - use code LOVE15 to take 15% off - every order helps other small businesses - a portion of every purchase is donated to FreeFrom to help survivors of domestic violence get on their own feet and stay there. 💕 . . . . . . . . . . #heartearrings #hearthoops #hearts #loveyourself #lovealwayswins #simplejewelry #heartjewelry #getyourhandsonit #givemorelove #feelgood #freejewelry #feedyoursoul #domesticviolencesurvivor #design #selflovewarrior #jewelrylovers #jewelrydesigner #jewelryartist #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CEEwC9CjcV3/?igshid=1frvxmahpanz1

Tell me it's not too early for skulls!! Well...ready or not, they're in the shop. 💀 💀 💕 ▪ The weather has just been divine, here, and I just cannot wait for the leaves and the amazing weather and the Halloween! 🎃 ▪ We have 15 pumpkins growing in our garden, and I'm definitely carving some. I can't wait! 😍 ▪ Anyone else? 💗 . . . . . . . . . . #skulls💀 #halloween #fallisintheair #autumnbreeze #skullearrings #wearhandmade #earrings #riograndejeweler #thoughtfullymade #youarewonderful #youareimportant #youareworthy #untraditional #usamade #uniquejewelry #itsthelittlethings #inmydomaine #imadethat #imperfectlyperfect #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CEDPg9djTO0/?igshid=1snv4tmvsgcl6

Did you know that I make state necklaces? Each one is shaped, turn by turn, entirely by hand. They're so darn cute! I love wearing a couple together. 💕 ▪ Mine are Missouri and Louisiana. Which would you wear? 😍 ▪ Take 15% off right now with code LOVE15 💥 . . . . . . . . . . #statenecklace #statejewelry #homesweethome #statelove #simplejewelry #necklace #metalsmith #makerlife #madewithcare #makersgottamake #madebyhand #bewhoyouare #behuman #beyou #custommade #keepdoingyou #jeweler #jewelrydesigner #jewelryisalwaysagoodidea #handcrafted #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CECh54rDlPf/?igshid=1tenmh5aiuwt4

If you recall, we have a hundred year old fixer upper that we're living in as we give her new life. 🏡 ▪ She reminds me of the little house on the hill from the old Disney cartoon. Anyone remember? 😶 ▪ I call her shades of gray, because the only paint colors I've chosen, besides the beautiful blue front door are varying shades of gray. 😁 ▪ Since quarantine, we've been doing our best to stay home and work with what we have to continue renovations. Most of the newer updates are unseen, like ductwork going to the second floor and moving dirt, preparing for a retaining wall, but lately, we finally finished up with the lower skirt on the front porch, and we're staining and sealing...so freaking exciting...and beautiful! 😍 ▪ I had no idea what a difference this would make. The porch is really becoming...just...gorgeous. I've been kicked off the painting crew, and my hubby is on his own this time, because apparently, you have to smear this stuff on so thin, it doesn't even count, and my portion looked like tomato sauce was slopped all over. We're not even going to talk about all the stain that ended up on my face and just generally myself that looked like blood and threw him into a panic the first few times he came to check on me. 😂 ▪ You can't see the stain in this shot, but I was pretty excited about my new succulent shelf. I promise to share it when it's complete. It's so good. 💗💕 . . . . . . . . . . #homesweethome #housetohome #homerenovations #hundredyearoldhouse #renovation #buildingalife #buildingafuture #togetherforever #loversforlife #livelifehappy #lovemeloveyou #livingourbestlife #everydayisanadventure #exploretocreate #jewelrydesigner #jewelryartist #jeweler #authenticlove #liveauthentically #custommade #behindthescenes #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CEAmR2Vj41h/?igshid=nxiv25sr0nn1

Do you have a favorite quote or something you say you someone you love that makes you smile? Mine is, "kiss you in the freaking face!" I say it to my husband every single day, and I even made up a song for it. ☺💕 ▪ This sweet baby has been waiting for so long to be part of the family, here, in the Forge. 🌼 ▪ She's an inspiration bangle. Choose any quote or phrase you like (under 75 characters including spaces) 😉 and customize to your heart's content. 💕 ▪ The letters are stamped by hand on the inside, imperfectly (my favorite way to do things), and I add some hearts where it seems right. 😘 ▪ 👉 Today's the last day to take 20% off bracelets with code FLASH20 ▪ OR ▪ Spend $100+ and take 25% off with code FLASH25 😍 ▪ Love you so much, babes! Thank you for being here and supporting small!! 💗 . . . . . . . #wearhandmade #inspirationalquotes #inspirationbracelet #inspirationbangle #handstampedjewelry #withallmyheart #exploretocreate #riograndejeweler #thoughtfullymade #youarewonderful #youareimportant #youareworthy #untraditional #usamade #uniquejewelry #artisanmade #americanmade #simplejewelry #designerjewelry #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CD-BZY6Dx3j/?igshid=1xj94dt5zqoog

Orenda. That's her name. The mystical presence within us that empowers us to affect the world or effect a change in our lives. 🌱 ▪ It's the weekend of bracelets! Take 20% off all bracelets with code FLASH20. 💗 ▪ OR ▪ Spend $100 and take 25% off your ENTIRE PURCHASE with code FLASH25. . . . . . . . . . . #bracelets #banglebracelet #kineticjewelry #kinetic #meaningfuljewelry #thoughtfullymade #makersgottamake #madebyhand #minimalist #mindfulness #metalsmithing #madetoorder #madewithlove #madewithintention #madeinusa #meditationjewelry #bewhoyouare #jewelryjunkie #jewelryartist #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CD7i4J5DX-U/?igshid=e839i78td3s

Good Saturday morning, Loves! 😍 ▪ A while back, I talked about this bracelet. It's a charity cuff, which means a portion of the purchase price goes to charity. In this case, 15% will go to a charity of your choice. There are so many important causes right now, and I hope to be part of the solution. 💗 ▪ 👉 Today and tomorrow ONLY all of my bracelets are 20% off!! ✨ ▪ Use code FLASH20 at checkout. ▪ 💥 OR...or... ▪ Spend over $100 and save 25% on your entire purchase! 💋 ▪ Use code FLASH25 for this one. ▪ ⭐ Remember... - Every piece is created with love and care. - Every order helps support other small businesses survive and thrive with my #smallbusinesssupportpledge - A portion of all my profits are donated to FreeFrom to help survivors of domestic violence get on their feet and live independently. . . . . . . . . . . #bethesolution #doingmybest #wearhandmade #lovealwayswins #exploretocreate #riograndejeweler #jewelrydesigner #jewelryartist #jeweler #metalsmith #bracelets #cuffbracelet #charitybracelet #youareimportant #youareworthy #youareloved #untraditional #uniquejewelry #usamade #inittowinit #artisanmade #artjewelry #americanmade #selflovewarrior #madewithcare #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CD6Zow5j7mK/?igshid=1r0bj5j7unbdj

Are you ready for a head start on a FLASH SALE this weekend? 😍 ▪ Use code FLASH20 to snag 20% off all of my bracelets. 💕 ▪ 👉 OR ▪ If you spend over $100, use code FLASH25 to take 25% off your entire purchase!! 😘 ▪ ▪ Remember... - All of my pieces are made with love, just for you. - Every order helps support other small businesses with my #smallbusinesssupportpledge - A portion of every purchase is donated to FreeFrom. 💗 . . . . . . . . . . #supportsmall #supportsmallshops #smallbusinessesarethebest #smallbusiness #smallactsoflove #metalsmith #makerlife #madewithcare #makersgottamake #makermovement #bewhoyouare #beinghuman #earrings #moonmagic #moonearrings #littlethings #liveunscripted #loveandbeloved #jewelryisalwaysagoodidea #jewelryaddict #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CD4_VRIDMAE/?igshid=tq9y6xjql3vo

Ooh! Babes! So many things! 😍 ▪ ☝ First...do you remember the turtle set giveaway? We have a winner!! @nett1025 I'll be in touch soon. 😘 ▪ Thank you all so much for participating! This was so fun! I promise to do another one. 💕 ▪ ✌ Second...it finally happened! I got my charity bracelet up in the shop. It's linked in the photo. You can choose any charity you'd like to send the donation. This is my first, and there are so many important causes going on right now, so I wanted it to be something to help more than just one. 💗 ▪ And one more thing...it still might need a like more work, but my sizing guide is up on my site and available for you to download and use. I put the link in my bio. ☺ . . . . . . . . . . #wip #withallmyheart #wearhandmade #exploretocreate #earrings #simplejewelry #threaderearrings #riograndejeweler #youarewonderful #youareimportant #youareworthy #untraditional #usamade #uniquejewelry #itsthelittlethings #inmydomaine #positivelife #artisanmade #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CDz4QHEj0q9/?igshid=xwnfp8epafah

Candidly speaking, I have been just amazed at your reactions to some of my more sensitive posts, like yesterday. It really had disturbed me, and your thoughtfulness really wrapped itself around me in the best hug ever. I promise to respond to all of you, soon. It takes me a little time, because I do my best to be thoughtful and genuine. 💕 ▪ I truly mean it when I say that I always want to learn and grow and do my best. You deserve it! You're beautiful words of encouragement have proven how amazing you are. Thank you, guys, so very much. 💗 ▪ 👉 On a slightly different note, maybe coming from left field, but whatever. I have a few things to talk to you about in the coming days, but today, I wanted to ask what you thought about this little idea I had about my Heavenly Bodies collection. ☺ ▪ This is Mercury sans gemstones. I've been mulling over the idea to do a "sans" version of each ring...some without stones, some with just the main ring that has the stones but without the second complimentary ring. ✌ ▪ Do you think that would be a good idea that you would like? 💞 . . . . . . . . . . #mercury #planetjewelry #planets #planetary #solarsystem #mercuryring #mercuryjewelry #rings #riograndejeweler #metalsmith #meaningfuljewelry #meaningfulconnections #metalsmithing #makerlife #hermes #love #honestlove #honoryourstory #honoryourself #getyourhandsonit #givemorelove #designerjewelry #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CDxQw9eDWDn/?igshid=19hmwqueu473s

So...recently, some guy commented on a picture of this ring. He said my work was a joke and too expensive...😑 ▪ Honestly, I never know what to say in response to meanness, so usually, I just ignore it, but it still hurts my feelings and I brood over it, wondering if it's really true. 💔 ▪ My aim is always to learn, grow, and offer my very best, so after something like that, I'll take the time to look at everything I create to make sure it's fairly priced, meaningful, and made with quality craftsmanship, every single time I create it. 🌱 ▪ Every piece is made with care, from beginning to end. I'm a welder...not a caster. Some pieces are made by piecing bits of precious metal together in a particular sequence and a lot more intense than others, like the Heavenly Bodies, and because of that, no two pieces will ever be the same, but every single piece that leaves my hands to make its way to you will always be imperfectly perfect and meticulously created with intention. 💞 ▪ This is my promise to you, because I want you to know that you are important, and you are loved, and I want the pieces you wear to remind you of these things everyday. 💗 . . . . . . . . . . #madewithcare #learnandgrow #madewithintention #venuslove #doingmybest #lovemeloveyou #bewhoyouare #bebright #behuman #beyou #keepdoingyou #keepmovingforward #positivelife #livelifehappy #lovealwayswins #livingmybestlife #jewelrydesigner #jewelryartist #justbeingme #jewelryisalwaysagoodidea #jewelryaddict #feedyoursoul #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CDumNYkDs0L/?igshid=1sqy2ppkiifn1

It's said that Venus is the sister planet of Earth, because they're similar and yet so very different. 💫 ▪ While I was reading about them and looking at this snap of Earth and Venus together, it made me think of my own sister. We have particularly different tastes, and I can honestly say that given the choice, she would pick one of these rings, and I would the other, but our differences have never been cause for animosity. They've always been complimentary. ✌ ▪ She's always been the cool to my cucumber, and I've always been the fire to her passion. I have this ignition that's always ready to rock, pushing her int adventure, and she checks in on me to make sure I'm not leaping before I look. 😉 ▪ Can you guess which planet I am? 💕 . . . . . . . . . #planetjewelry #solarsystem #venus #earth #perspective #sisters #astrology #astronomy #astrologyjewelry #uniquejewelry #perfectlyimperfect #obsidian #ooakjewelry #inmydomaine #imadethat #imperfectlyperfect #usamade #untraditional #makerlife #madewithcare #makersgottamake #madebyhand #makersmovement #stlmade #supportsmallshops #forginglove #thechestnutforge https://www.instagram.com/p/CDsHyRBjgx5/?igshid=tewmdsol6a6l