Momma's Flowers (1 in Pendant with 18 in Chain)

This is another one of my "Paying It Forward" projects. So, for every Momma's Flowers necklace you purchase, I will contribute $5 in my mother's memory to the National Scleroderma Foundation. Please learn more by visiting: https://scleroderma.org/.

This is a dainty little flower bouquet that my mother, Nancy, painted in the early 1970s. She loved arts and crafts. In 1978, Nancy died as a result of complications from systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). She was only 35 years old. I have the original painting, sitting on my nightstand. I also have a tattoo of the painting, along with her handwriting (more about that in a future blog article!).

This has been a therapeutic experience, as I have wanted to find a way to become involved with raising awareness about this disease. That's why I created these necklaces and matching notecard sets.

The picture is placed in a 1-inch antique bronze pendant with a matching 18-inch lobster claw chain. It's the same size as a quarter. (The photographs here also show the larger 1.5-inch option.) It's made from zinc alloy and is nickel and lead-free. I do not recommend submerging the necklace in water for long periods of time.

I print all artwork on my Canon printer, using high-quality, acid-free paper. I also assemble the jewelry at my kitchen counter (the best place to work late at night). The artwork is protected by a glass cabochon, placed on a backing card, and packaged in a clear cello bag.