My paternal grandmother, Luisa, had a crochet needle in her hand at all times. We would watch soap operas in her tiny home in Westwood, CA, as she created table cloths, doilies, blankets, pieces of lace, or snowflakes to hang from the Christmas tree. She taught me to crochet. I have some of those pieces and I cherish them. My mom recently handed me an old eye glasses case. As I opened the case, I saw my grandmother's collection of crochet needles and instruments. I've been using them ever since.

Most jewelry pieces are made with one of a kind antique buttons. Each button has been handed down from my Grandma Vella to my mom Jill, and then to me. It's like having a tiny fragment of our lives. Imagine the stories these little buttons could whisper in your ear!