Thoughtful Gifts from Him to You

I love celebrating mothers and daughters, but one of the things I love most about my job is working with men.  I have so many husbands, fathers, brothers and friends selecting thoughtful gifts for the women in their lives, or even asking for my assistance in creating a custom piece all their own.
 
In a world where men are getting a bum rap by the ones who misbehave, I get to see the absolute best in them every day. They are thoughtful, they care and most of all, they love you big.
 
Take for example, my brother Hugo. Hugo is a teacher at Saint Joseph’s Academy and his wife, Stacia, is the principal. The school recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, complete with an entire season of celebratory events to commemorate Saint Joseph’s work in the lives of so many.
 
The 150th Anniversary Gala was the last of these events, a grand finale of sorts for the volunteers who had worked tirelessly for months, Hugo and Stacia included. Hugo decided he wanted to do something special for the people who had honored the school so well. He enlisted my help, searching for unique jewelry to gift to the volunteers and to his wife.
 
After some brainstorming, we decided that we would work together to make custom jewelry, incorporating the school’s shield. We ended up making a pair of cuff links, two rings, a pendant and a pair of earrings. Hugo has always been a thoughtful gift giver but this project was a really special one. I loved having him in the studio and collaborating on the designs.
 
I recently spoke with Hugo about the gifts and the use of jewelry for a very special thank you.

Hugo's Thoughtful Gifts

Hugo Andricain, Jr in the Jewel of Havana Studio

Okay Hugo, kind of break down the event and the reasoning for the gifts.

I am a teacher at Saint Joseph’s Academy and my wife is the principal, so we are both very involved in the school. We were celebrating our 150th anniversary this year. We had some key people, including the chair of the committee, who help put all of the events on and some other people who had just been such a key part of the celebration and had given themselves to a degree that you cannot pay.

I wanted to give a gift, but I did not want to just give something that I could purchase anywhere. I had the idea to give something handmade. I have watched you make jewelry forever, so that was my first idea of something to give.  Additionally, I was fortunate to go a step further and help work on some custom pieces myself. 
 
At school, I created a mold of the school’s shield, which was the main focus of the jewelry. Then we worked together to make sure I was doing everything right and the jewelry would look good.

St. Joseph's Academy Shield stamp created by Hugo Andricain

Why did you decide you wanted to gift them jewelry?

I wanted something that had a connection. I wanted to give them something special, so when they looked at it they knew that the work they had done was appreciated, and that they would remember all the good things of the process of putting on the events.

Why do you think jewelry has that sentimental value?

Jewelry is something you put on at special times and it carries a special connotation. I guess I was also thinking the gala was a black-tie affair and maybe something they could wear. Although being a guy, I neglected to think that the outfits had already been picked out and coordinated with jewelry!

St. Joseph's Academy Custom Shield Cuff Links and Stud Earrings

Why did you decide to use the school’s shield?

I think it just being centered around this celebration. This is how I really came to know these people. SJA is a vocation to me. My wife has been there for 23 years, I have been there for 8 years. It is special to us. The shield is the logo of the school so to incorporate that into the jewelry is something I was really excited about doing.

What was actually creating the jewelry like?

It was eye-opening to see how much work goes into each piece. Not only in how careful you have to be to design everything but just everything in general. It was pretty impressive to learn. And fun to do!

How did you react when you first saw it?

I was absolutely thrilled. I couldn’t wait to give them to my friends and my wife. My wife did not know that I was making a ring for her. She actually did not know that I was making a ring at all, I just told her that I was making cuff links, so she was surprised.

What were the reactions of the recipients?

They were floored. I presented to them right before the gala began and they were very touched. I received a lot of secondhand stories of people who were telling me about seeing them and loved it.

St. Joseph's Academy Custom Statement Ring

The ring is beautiful and that equates to the appreciation of the school. It’s not something that was mass produced and I think they understood that. In fact, I had a couple of people ask where they could buy one when they saw it. I loved the idea that it was something that was thought out specifically for them. I wanted people that received it to know they are special.

Any final words to the recipients of the pieces?

Thank you! It was my pleasure and such an honor to be a part of the process. I’m humbled by the service that they gave to a place that I care so much about.

If you have a special occasion coming up or would like to create something unique for someone you love, don't hesitate to contact me. I'm happy to help make your jewelry idea a reality so the ones you love can think of you every time they wear it! xo Ana

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