Are you looking for the perfect gift to give your significant other for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day? How about a graduation gift for someone special? Whether you are seeking a unique gift idea or just a unique addition to your own jewelry collection, Stonington Designs offers high-end, handcrafted wooden jewelry that will surely make the recipient smile.
About Stonington Designs
Rich and Michelle Drake’s partnership is not new…They have been together for 40 years and have created some pretty cool stuff together over the years, including a beautiful family and a home filled with Rich’s woodworking and Michelle’s paintings.
Over the years the couple had saved end cuts of exotic woods from projects. They committed to using every piece of the lovely wood; they just didn’t know what they would create. In November of 2022, Michelle took a basket weaving class and came home knowing what she wanted to do with the end cuts: she wanted to make jewelry.
Working with local weavers, the couple perfected all of the componentry and launched their jewelry line in January 2023 using the basket weaving techniques combined with the beautiful wood components.
I selected a piece of jewelry that I know my daughter would love and wear often…the Island Turtle etched slider cuff bracelet. A symbol of longevity and wisdom, the turtle is the star of our signature slider design. This 1/2-inch cuff bracelet features a delightfully detailed sea turtle on a Holly wood slider bead, creating the perfect coastal statement piece. We love how the matching bead adds movement to this already dynamic design – you’ll treasure how it captures both the spirit of the shore and our artisanal craftsmanship.
This bracelet is handmade and crafted in cherry with an etched Holly wood bead. The sea turtle is pre-etched; however, you can add custom etching to the end caps. This would be perfect for someone who loves marine life or even a graduate student. Personalized gifts like this are memorable and special to the recipient. You can get it in select sizes from XS – XL.
Did you know?
Rich’s background as a craftsman and process engineer positioned the couple to manufacture the bulk of the jewelry componentry in the Stonington Designs woodshop in Connecticut. As Michelle’s creative handwoven jewelry designs became popular, the distribution for the jewelry shifted to online retail and wholesale. As the business grew, it became clear to Michelle she would need help with weaving.
The weaving program began with a lively dinner table discussion with the extended Drake Family. Their daughter-in-law, Donna, is married to their son, Michael, an Air Force pilot. It was Donna’s experience at a faraway base that sparked the idea for the now robust Military Spouse Weaving Program at Stonington Designs.
The program offers military spouses free training, earning potential, and the opportunity for a flexible at-home work schedule. These families are often far from home and family support and are single-handedly managing all of the household responsibilities while their spouse is deployed and serves our country. It offers an opportunity to learn a new skill while contributing to their family’s bottom line.
Based out of Connecticut, each piece of handcrafted wooden jewelry offered from Stonington Designs is made in the USA by reclaimed hardwoods.
As we approach a busy holiday season, purchasing a handmade piece of jewelry from Stonington Designs is a perfect option for upcoming grads, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
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We’ve added Stonington Designs to our #MomDadGrad Gift Guide
