In 1907, my grandmother stood on a train platform near Albion, Rhode Island, with a handwritten tag pinned to her bulky wool coat. She was being sent to Saint David's Convent in Quebec, Canada. A small leather suitcase and a waxed paper package of food were all that she carried. Written in French, her tag explained who she was and where she was going. That piece of cardstock was her identity and her destination. My grandmother was leaving for French Canada where she would spend her childhood and return years later as a young lady. What an amazing journey! 

I have always incorporated my family into my work to make it more meaningful. Vintage tags remind me of my grandmother's childhood story, and their inherent mark of identification and destination intrigues me all the more.

Featured in Belle Armoire Jewelry, these mixed-media tag pendants are delicate, yet make an impression.