I know you appreciate all things handmade as much as we do. That is why I believe you'll love this post. I want to introduce you to the amazing woman behind, Poppy Collective Co. Sandgrens and Miale made a connection on Instagram last winter and today she'svisiting the clog blog with a guest post about the slow fashion angle that connects her handmade jewelry and our handmade shoes. "Mama by day, silversmith by night"For centuries there has been a fascination with the capability and artistry set forth by the human hands. Tourists line up to see hand sculpted forms by the masters and all over the world priceless works of art line the walls of buildings also conceptualized from hand drawn beginnings. Over time some of this fascination has been lost to an emerging market of streamlined production and machined perfection. In recent years our world was reminded of the tenacity and beauty of the human spirit and how, in times where the world is forced to slow down, the creativity in a set of human hands flows and endures.It was during this time I put a little more faith in my hands and tried a craft I’d always thought was just out of reach for me. It quickly turned from a hobby to a therapy as so many people found their past times becoming throughout that time. Following a recipe outlined by metalsmiths long before me that is entirely dependent on Earth’s natural elements makes each turn at the bench feel like the adventure of a lifetime. Through silver work I have found a way to travel back through time and enjoy the moments I spent traveling with loved ones while alsoprocessing the paths in life that brought me to where I am now. The process is sacred to me, integral to my self expression and coping with the everyday stressors of motherhood, family and life as whole. The slow art of making something from start to finish has breathed new life into what was once exhaustion in trying to keep up with in a fast paced world. Metalsmithing reminded me of that centuries old pull we feel to handmade goods, the story behind every single piece weaving invisible threads drawing us to express ourselves with things made by another, whether for wear or for pure hedonistic enjoyment, their story now continuing on a part of ours. I find so much inspiration for my work in the world around me, from the places I travel, the food I eat and the clothes I wear. Each one a contributing factor to the bigger picture of every piece's story. They all have an underlying meaning in conveying my own story and values, which is always my dearest hope with my jewelry. This year I am making a conscious effort to set intention around my entire creative process. It is my utmost hope to choose handmade, wear handmade and advocate for handmade from the tips of my toes in gorgeously crafted Sandgrens clogs to slow made headbands keeping my wild mama hair out of fire’s way. I’m finding with a very happy heart that oftentimes it’s not the completion of the creative process that yields the most satisfaction but rather the special rituals we surround it with. As I finish getting dressed for the workday and slip on my clogs before heading to the workshop I feel the excitement begin as I wonder like so many of us do, “what will today’s work yield? Who will hold these pieces dear?”. That is the ignition of inspiration, sparked by the slow made, intentional work of two hands dressed in jeans, a t-shirt and a pair of wood bottomed, leather shoes.Thank you, Miale Rabun ♡Visit the Poppy Collective Co. shop here