Into the Woods - Jewelry Celebrating Life + New Adventures

If you’ve purchased from Jewel of Havana, you know most of the pieces come with a card sharing the stories and inspiration behind the jewelry you select. The stories seem to naturally follow the arc of my life but my hope has always been to provide meaningful work to accompany your life stories and celebrations.

I was recently contacted by one of the first collectors of my work. Her daughter was opening as Little Red Riding Hood in a production of the musical Into the Woods and she wanted a meaningful gift to mark the occasion for her opening night.

She selected a piece from the Into the Woods Collection and asked two things: could I get it to her in time and did I have a story card to go with it? Into the Woods was one of my earliest collections, and though I had an inspirational story behind it, I never put it in writing. I didn’t want to disappoint her so I started the process of creating a new story card for her gift.

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The Backstory - Into the Woods

You may know me as a jewelry artist, but before that, I had a 25-year career performing on Broadway. One of my biggest influences has always been Stephen Sondheim. I studied everything he did and was moved by his lyrics, his mind, and his music. I couldn’t wait to get to New York and see his work in person.

In my junior year of college, I finally had the chance to go to New York. On that first day, I saw Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim. The beautiful lyrics, lessons, and music contained in the show left an indelible mark on me (and I maaay have cried a few times ;)

If you aren’t familiar with the show, imagine all your favorite storybook characters together in one village, each with their own dreams and wishes all intertwined: the woods: a metaphor for life, adventure, and going into the unknown. Each time I saw it, different parts would speak to me, missing family, forming family, loss, loneliness, fear, and finally, the understanding and comfort that comes from knowing we are never alone.

Into the Woods - The Jewelry

Into the Woods - First Day in New York ---- My friend, Jeff Saver (in the suit) was conducting that night

25 years later, life brought me back to my hometown with a new business and a new adventure ahead.

​My parents are avid gardeners and have the most beautiful property with so many nooks and crannies to get lost in nature. I was inspired to use the leaves and textures from their gardens for this collection. It seemed only fitting I would name it Into the Woods as a tribute to my family, and the beginning of a new life. Going into the unknown can lead to so many wonderful things.

I hope the jewelry pieces in this collection help you celebrate your path wherever you may be and remind you to wish, to dream, “to go to the festival”. "The way is clear, the light is good". "The prettier the flower, the farther from the path" and "Someone is on your side... No one is alone"  xo Ana

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SHOP INTO THE WOODS JEWELRY COLLECTION