Father's Day

We’re very outspoken regarding our love for our mothers and mothering at Waxing Poetic, but if you have any doubts about our equal appreciation of fathers, don’t. We

Are

Very

Grateful

And

We

Want

It

Known.

To that end, here is a tumbly heartfelt poem-slash-letter-slash-list-slash-effusive-string-of-gratitude-and-noticing -- this will never be enough, the words will never be enough, but *you* are always enough, so we’ll try.

Dear Dads --

WE LOVE YOU.

We love proud papas.

We love dear daddies.

We love fearless fathers.

We love pas, pops, and padres.

We love grandpas, granddads, and great greatfathers.

We love the wonderful men who raised us, who help raise our children, who help raise our best friends, who helped raise you dear reader, and who are, in whatever way make the most sense, the very finest men we know.

You are our first heroes, our favorite audience members, our most heard member of the cheering section, our kind protectors, our faithful supporters, our best men.

We love out nontraditional father names, we love our adoptive dads, our stepdads, our foster fathers, our second dads, our fathering influences, our favorite best men. All of them, fathers, precious and brave, steadfast and true.

Thank you for laughing with us (and sometimes, deserevedly but never unkindly, at us).

Thank you for showing up. Thank you for staying. Thank you for holding our hands.

Thank you for silly songs. Thank you for sharing your stories.

Thank you for teaching us how to swim, how to sail, how to skateboard, how to surf,

how to swing a bat, how to stand up on a skateboard (or carve downhill on a Trikke), how to draw, how to listen carefully, and well, how to make people feel important by making room for their eccentricities as you did with ours, how to encourage the parts of us that have come to make us who we are -- even when or if you didn’t quite understand the deep meaning of our 9th grade art project, or just why we needed to go that maybe unbearable for you concert but you took us and we went and we’ve never stopped bragging about it...

Thank you warrior dads, thank you peacemaking fathers, thank you brave heroes, thank you whimsical wonderful sillies, thank you for letting us sneak in late with you knowing about it, thank you for showing us how to (            ), thank you for campfires, for detailed explanations when asked about nearly anything, thank you for celebrating our eccentricities even when they didn’t make sense to you, thank you for loving us, thank you for being present.

Fatherhood is as ongoing action as much as it is anything else, and so instead of waxing expected over playing baseball/football/fixing cars/golfing (though, full disclosure, we love all of those things and will shortly address them too), let’s give some room for the unexpected, or the undersung, or perhaps, space for yours (or you):

[insert your favorite father memory] : WE SALUTE [his name].

 Dearest dads, far and wide, near and distant, living and heavenward,

thank you with all our hearts for loving us.

Find a Father's Day gift in our POET collection.

#iampoetic - Featured Friend Hannah

 FEATURED FRIENDS OF WAXING POETIC

 HANNAH CHILDS SHINES HER BEAUTIFUL LIGHT

Hi! I'm Hannah. I'm a 27 year old fashion designer in Santa Barbara with my own equestrian accessories and clothing line called Style Stock. I started riding horses when I was five years old, and have had my horse (Harry Potter) since I was 12. I took to art and design as a child, but decided I wanted to be a fashion designer with an equestrian line at age 16 when I saw Project Runway for the first time. I'm inspired by classic, feminine, and timeless designs. I started Style Stock as a creative outlet and hobby while I was designing for UGG, and decided to pursue it full time 2 1/2 years ago. I am currently renovating a fixer upper in SB with my fiancé, who I will be marrying this fall in Tuscany, Italy. In my free time, I'm most often outside and active, whether it be riding, running at the beach, or doing yoga, or doing something creative like drawing, sewing, or designing new projects for our house.

I first heard about Waxing Poetic when I was 16 when my mom told Patti that I wanted to be a fashion designer. She hired me to work a few days each week after school to get my feet wet in the business. I did everything from helping as her design assistant, to customer service, order processing, and even went to a trade show in New York. Working for Patti for three years and seeing how brilliant of a designer and business woman she is, confirmed my dreams of having my own design company. WP served as an amazing foundation for me to follow my dreams as an entrepreneur, and Patti continues to be a close friend and incredible mentor to me.

On dreaming big and changing the world
My dream is to build a brand that inspires women to be strong, independent, bold, passionate, and original and to create style that makes them feel naturally beautiful. I hope that as women we can lift each other up and support each other's dreams, struggles and accomplishments. I believe that when we are kind, encouraging and genuinely excited for one another's successes, we can change the world.

What matters most?
 Living a life that is filled with passion and purpose. For me that means having a career that not only inspires me, but brings beauty, confidence and expression to others. It means spending quality time with my family and closest friends. It means doing things I love; that fuel, ground, and excite me.
And being “poetic?”
Being poetic means leading with love, being authentic to myself in speech and actions, and sharing that with the world.

We love guiding principles.  What is yours?

"Shine your beautiful light

To raise the vibration of consciousness

And come at everything from a place of love

So we may celebrate together the oneness of all for peace in our sacred world"

Favorite Waxing Poetic pieces? I love my "In Time" pendant. It is a symbol for me to follow my heart, but to also be patient and let the universe guide me in the direction of my dreams. I love the roman numerals on the front, signifying the time on a clock, and the script writing on the back. I recently wore it on my first solo international trip to Europe. In moments of solitude, temporary loneliness or unsureness it served as a reminder that I am right where I am supposed to be. My other favorite piece is the "Be the Light" pendant (I wear it on the Breidon Charm Choker so the pendant sits right at my heart ). I love it because it signifies leading with light, kindness, and compassion. I love the image of the sunburst in mixed metals with the black Kristal- it really is a showstopper! I have a bit of an affinity for the sun (I have a sunburst tattooed on my wrist) so when I saw this piece I immediately knew I needed to wear it.

I've found that Waxing Poetic customers are a devoted bunch. When people see me wearing the jewelry they are excited and most often enthusiastic to share the story of how they picked their own pieces and their experience with WP. 
There is such meaning and intention behind the designs. The pieces all signify different parts of our lives and serve as amulets for people to wear, give and cherish. I love that they are carved by hand out of wax, and cast in the different metals. WP is one of my favorite things to gift because whether it is serving as a celebration, memento, life milestone, totem or amulet for guidance, I can find something for anyone.

The first important job. Ever. Forever.

Leading with my mother’s love lessons, my own daughter Lulu:
future grownup, leader, caregiver, mom, who knows?

When you think about it, being a mother is the most significant job there is.  My own mom, Rita, clearly understands this… and all amazing moms do. So much so, that my mom’s profession on her Facebook profile is simply “Mother.”  She knows that the job of “Mother” is far more important than the many other things she did and does with her life.

It takes courage and sacrifice to become a mother.  Mine has four kids… and six grandchildren… and she loves and nurtures each one of us. Not so easy if you want to find time for yourself.

In my decisions as a mom each day, I am reminded of how I was mothered.  When I am not sure what to do, I trust my inner voice… the one my mom taught me how to tune into. I also trust mom’s guidance. My mom is so present in my daughter’s life, giving her a sense of belonging. The love and attention just never ceases. Mom teaches me still how to see Lulu for who she is right now, and also for her potential as she grows.

Back to her Facebook profile page: it reads retired under “Mother,” and we joke about this, because my mom is actively mothering, always (even if she holds back comment… there is always a reason).

There is no retiring, no quitting this most important of all jobs.  I don’t think my mom would have it any other way… and I’ll be bold enough to speak for all my mom friends: they wouldn’t either.

I have unending admiration for my mom, and all the moms out there (however you became one, through whomever you are mothering… and the “mothers of mothers” and midwives too). The world relies on you to show up to this job every day, with love… and you do.  It is hard, unappreciated and heartbreaking at times, yet the most rewarding job on the planet.

You are our creator on Earth. You must be, you are, full of grace. You are our life force, our origin, the one we return to, our Only One. The one with deep powers, intuition and the ability to advance our human-ness through love. Without this love, we have no chance, so thank you Mom and blessings to all the moms, and to all of us… the children, the future, held in you.

REVERENT EARTH

Are we really going to let our Earth continue to suffer?

Every one of us, EACH ONE OF US, can do our part to ensure that we have an Earth that will continue to support our breath, thirst, hunger, wanderlust, dreams…LIFE.  We owe it to our Mother, our Creator, our Earth and our own SPIRIT to respect her..Mother Earth, we dedicate this Reverent Earth charm to you: without your love, without your precious stillness, sustaining substances, without your sure ground to walk on, your disasters to remind us to let your wild life awe us, your expansiveness to humble us, and your mysteries to thrill us, no life exists, no song, no sail, no care… no heaven.

“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread."

 - Edward Abbey

Join us, as we join others in the mission to honor and protect the earth and her resources.  A portion of sales proceeds will be donated to @waterkeeperalliance in an effort to defend our watersheds and waters ources.

#iampoetic - Featured Friend Maggie

 FEATURED FRIENDS OF WAXING POETIC

MAGGIE DAVIS: VALUING RELATIONSHIPS

The minute she was born, loved oozed out of all my pores and now that she is an adult it still does, along with respect and admiration.
-Maggie Davis on daughter Morgan

I am a loving wife & mother (I love being a mom!), loyal friend, reflexologist, optimist, caring, generous, easy going, a healthy sense of humor, active, love food and travel, hiking, books and film.

What Matters Most to you?
I value human relationships. And I dream of a world where everyone realizes we are in this together and acts accordingly (for the greater good). I love my family and friends, my community.  I am lucky to call my family friends as well!

And your relationship with your daughter, Morgan?

The minute she was born, loved oozed out of all my pores and now that she is an adult it still does, along with respect and admiration.What does being poetic mean to you?
It embodies artistic expression of the everyday and usually makes me feel good.

We know you love a good quote – can you share your favorite?
Right now I'm focusing on “Be Kind.” I also appreciate “When you are going through hell, keep going” - Winston Churchill

On giving back?
I regularly donate to Direct Relief and Vitamin Angels. They are both amazing charities where most of my donation goes to help those in need.

We can tell your Waxing Poetic charm necklace is meaningful to you!

I bought it while shopping in Los Olivos with my best friend -  we each bought a necklace for ourselves and a charm for it for each other.

I now have several WP charms on my necklace and they represent my family including my cat!  The combination of metals in one piece is so unique, and I love the quality handmade look of each piece.  People enjoy my necklace and like to hear about what each charm represents.

I have owned and worn Waxing Poetic jewelry since I bought it and I still like it and it still looks great!

Create Your Own Meaningful Necklace

INSIGNIAS

CAMP CHARMS

#iampoetic - Featured Friend Laurie

 FEATURED FRIENDS OF WAXING POETIC

LAURIE DEAN AND THE PRACTICE OF LOVE

I am very passionate about exploring and practicing the timeless teachings of the Buddha. This practice brings me a sense of wonder and allows me to shift from powerlessness to joy and freedom.

On what it means to be poetic

Living life fully expressed in movement, flow, grace, and playfulness.We love this quote you shared:

“Find that which is fearless in you, that which is all-powerful, that which is good and trust it. For that is what your truly are.”   - 16^th century monk

You are involved in our local community – how do you stay connected?

One of my favorite communities that I support is a local meditation center – Bodhi Path Santa Barbara. It is a diverse body of practitioners of all ages and levels of practice. The heart of this community is palpable and easily accessible, and the teachings are nourishing with insights and tools for everyday practice.

What Laurie is wearing

Wonderfully Intertwined

At Waxing Poetic we receive so much amazing and touching feedback from our customers.  It would be impossible to share all of it and we are truly honored and humbled by you, our customers.  With Valentine's Day right around the corner, we wanted to feature Charlie who has given Waxing Poetic as a gift to his wife.  He shares his Waxing Poetic story below.

I blew my first chance to make a memorable wedding proposal. Granted, when I first asked my wife-to-be to become my wife we’d already been living together ten years, so there was not much doubt that our relationship was serious and long-term. We’d met in college, had made it through some early periods of geographical separation, and had even survived her one attempt to break up with me—which I responded to by essentially going into deep denial that the words ‘break up’ had ever been spoken.

Somewhere near the end of that first decade together, we were on the dance floor during the reception of a college friend’s wedding. The lights were sparkling, the band was playing “Moon River,” and the woman I loved looked exceptionally beautiful. The moment felt right, so I made my move and said, “We should do this.” That was it. No ring. No down on one knee. Just “Moon River” and access to somebody else’s champagne. Remarkably, after a quick clarification as to what exactly “do this” meant, the woman I loved ignored the lack of proper flourish and agreed to marry me. She didn’t want rings or hoopla for our engagement—those were saved for our marvelous, extremely-memorable wedding day.

Twenty-five years later, I got a second chance to propose. As our anniversary date approached, I thought about how I might right my initial fumble, and when I discovered that Waxing Poetic could design matching, intertwined initial rings, the answer was clear. On the big day, I beckoned my wife out to our home’s sunny patio where I’d set up vases of roses and our own chilled bottle of champagne. There, I went down on one knee, presented her with a ring that perfectly symbolized our shared life, and asked if she would continue to be my wife. I was a little thrown when she didn’t say ‘Yes’ right away, but it turned out she was not reconsidering—just overcome with emotion. When I showed her my matching ring, she started crying, I started crying, and finally, after 25 years, we had a joyous proposal befitting our loving union. We popped the champagne, danced to the music, and began our next 25 years with matching rings —and with hearts, lives and initials perfectly, wonderfully intertwined.

WORDS TO LIVE BY

“tell them about the dream” Honoring MLK, and the inspiring way the most influential speech of the 20th century came about

The bravery and courage to tell the truth – to tap into ultimate truth – transforms us. The beloved activist and advocate for social justice, Martin Luther KingJr., had this ability to channel the right words, and will forever be remembered for how he did this so powerfully in his “I have a dream” speech for the March on Washington in 1963.

I think I knew that he wrote most of the script for this speech in the wee hours the night before, but when I read the book Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant, I learned something amazing that I hadn’t known about him: that MLK had this flexibility about the whole thing, he was fluid until he stepped on the stage, and it was only when someone from the audience kept yelling out “tell them about the dream” that he decided to draw upon his experience, forego his planned script, and deliver his heart’s message instead – the one we didn’t know we asked for when someone called out “tell them about the dream” – the one the collective needed to hear, the pinnacle of his calling.

What a lesson in the power of knowing… trusting the unscripted (yet fully prepared) self, channeling this connection, precisely to arrive at your purpose.

There are many ways to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. To recognize injustice and racism today is to listen to communities that need help; to allow them to help define our role. To expand upon the movements of the past. To notice where we each could be doing more, and then do it.

Watch MLK’s “I Have a Dream”



Watch Originals author Adam Grant’s Ted Talks

 

The reason we’re in business

When people ask me about what we do here at Waxing Poetic, I talk about the look of the jewelry for sure, but most often, I start with the “why” behind the jewelry.

At the time I cast the first wax seal back in 2001, the feeling that it evoked seemed to symbolize a somewhat forgotten and much needed form of communication. It was a time-honored, sacred and personal way to mark something - a way to bridge the gap between the old and new; between moments and milestones; between people; between meaning and adornment. Something lasting, something true, not a fad or trend. As our company evolved, these little pieces gave way to larger expressions… reminders, both in process and form, of so many things we hold dear, but also of our collective experience, and our connection to each other: we realized, even as product combinations take on as many forms as there are individual people, that we are the through line in life. We truly are one, in all of our beautiful facets. We are all poetic by nature, and these pieces are extensions of ourselves.

It is in this range of life experience, through each happening, each moment, each “piece,” that we uncover not only our individual selves, but also a great truth: this is what the human experience is really meant to be, and, incidentally, why we’re in business… to be present to the moments that create our unique lives, and come closer to our unity as a result of noticing it. This is our everything.

We’re in business to celebrate our collective beauty, our truths and the expression of all of it… our journey. We’re in business to deeply understand the world we live in, to live it fully, and to love it that much more.

When we work together, and we connect on this level, we reveal something about ourselves to each other, and this connection makes the world a little smaller (and the moment so very, very beautiful). This is our life, all of us, separately, and together, in bond and magnitude.

We are so grateful to be in this world together, in this business of life, where underneath all of the distractions, problems, and surface concerns, person by person, and piece by piece, we get to grow in love and a continual discovery and understanding of who we really are.

Much joy and love,

Patti