How getting my ears pierced changed my life

A trip to Claire's changed my life. Sounds dramatic, right? Maybe it is a little...

Let me tell you a story about me. I come from a line of women who LOVE their jewelry. I am talking diamonds, pearls, costume jewelry, and everything in between. So naturally, I also have loved jewelry from a young age.

When I was younger I lived for trips to the beach so I could buy a new toe ring and anklet every summer. Do you remember those cute stick on earrings? Yep - I had a new set of those stuck to my ears everyday during kindergarten too.

As I got older, my taste in jewelry began to "grow up" too.

Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away very unexpectedly when I was 13. It was devastating. She was so young and full of life. I have lots of fond memories with her. We baked cookies, had tea parties, she taught me how to sew, and occasionally she would let me play dress up in her jewelry box. She was a woman with A LOT of jewelry. After she passed, I remember helping my Mom go through my Grammy's things, including her jewelry. She had SO much! 

Here is a photo of me, my brother, and Grammy at one of those famous Tea Parties

 

Of course, at the age of 13 I was googling over all of her diamonds and pearls. I did get to save some of her necklaces and less expensive jewelry as a memoir, but my mom decided to save some of the nice pieces for big events later in my life. I was gifted things like a diamond tennis bracelet and a diamond necklace on my 16th, 18th, and 21st birthdays. I think she still has something saved for my wedding day (whenever that will be.)

All of this is to say, jewelry is an important part of my life. I love jewelry, not just because it makes you feel pretty, but because it is meaningful. Nice jewelry is treasured, it has memories and history. I love having some of my Grammy's jewelry to remember her by.

Now, you are probably thinking, this sounds nice but what does this have to do with getting your ears pierced? 

Okay, okay, let's get to it...

Remember, how much jewelry the women in my family own? Remember how much I have loved jewelry from a young age? Well, for as much jewelry as I had throughout my young life, I didn't get my ears pierced until I was 25!

Why did I wait so long? The answer - I don't really know. I just never did it.

I started dating my boyfriend, Brad, in my early/mid twenties. He knew how much I loved jewelry and always wondered why I didn't have my ears pierced. I would joke back with him about it saying "If you buy me a pair of diamond earrings then I will get my ears pierced, otherwise, I don't have a reason to at this point." LOL.

Well, being the wonderful boyfriend Brad is, he bought me a pair of diamond earrings and a gift card to Claire's for Christmas one year. I kind of freaked out not realizing he would actually do it!

My first pair of real diamond earrings! Right before we went to Claire's!

Off to Claire's we went - yes, Claire's, in the mall - to get my ears pierced as a grown woman. It was quite the comical experience. I think I was even older than the woman who pierced my ears LOL.

Fast forward a few months - my ears healed and I had a brand new obsession for earrings. I was buying earrings left and right. My jewelry loving self was missing out on this whole category of jewelry for the past 25 years!

Also around this time I knew I wanted to start my own business. I had lots of ideas and tried many different things. One day after a trip to Target and $40 spent on earrings, I thought to myself "I wonder if I could learn how to make earrings myself."

The FIRST pair of earrings I ever made! (June 2019)

I took a trip to the local craft store, picked up some beads and wire, and started making earrings. The earrings I was making then looked a lot different than the type of jewelry I make now, but I instantly knew jewelry was it.

Jewelry was the thing that was going to change my life - and it totally has.

I am so grateful for my Mom, and my Grammy who helped me fall in love with jewelry, and I am so grateful for Brad who drove me to Claire's to get my ears pierced as an adult. I don't know if Chelsea Leigh Jewelry would be in existence if it weren't for them. 

Now I run a soon-to-be multiple six figure business that gives me so much fulfillment and joy! I feel unbelievably blessed that I get to spend my days making wearable art and memories for the world.

A pair of diamond earrings changed my life, and I can only hope the jewelry I make can have a positive impact in your life too.

xoxo,

Chelsea Leigh