Femininity, pink, and power

 "Do the things you used to talk about doing but never did.
Know when to let go and when to hold on tight.
Stop rushing.
Don't be intimidated to say it like it is.
Stop apologizing all the time.
Learn to say no, so your yes has some oomph.
Spend time with the friends who lift you up, and cut loose the ones who bring you down.
Stop giving your power away.
Be more concerned with being interested than being interesting.
Be old enough to appreciate your freedom, and young enough to enjoy it.
Finally know who you are."

 - Kristin Armstrong.


Pink can be a problematic colour in some contexts, because it's so stereotypically feminine, and is associated with all sorts of expectations of stereotypical feminine behaviours - some of which this quote warns us to avoid. Many little girls my son's age appear at parties dressed entirely in pink, head-to-toe. And I know several women who avoid wearing pink because of the accompanying messages of little-girlhood. But, on the other hand, I also know some extremely tough and canny women whom I strongly suspect of deliberately wearing pink when they want to "fly under the radar" for their own strategic purposes.

So, anyway, this bracelet is a birthday present I made for my middle sister, who has always loved pink. It is based around some lovely handmade glass beads, which I've been hoarding for so long that I can't remember where I originally got them. I am particularly pleased with the way the small green accent beads have worked here.

The metal beads and components are all plated silver, so the bracelet feels pleasantly heavy and substantial on the wrist. The silver reflects the shine of the handmade beads, the glass pearls and the pear-shaped crystal. The clasp does look rather excessively huge on that shot above, though, because of the foreshortening. So, in the interests of accuracy, here's another picture of the design.

It is nice to make jewellery as presents. It always seems to turn out very different for different people.