How a Leaf Became Our Signature: The Story Behind Our Aspen Leaf Cards
A Creative Fix, a Mother's Idea, and the Birth of a Handmade Tradition
Sharing the story of how a simple aspen leaf, a creative spark from my mom, and a lot of glue turned into the signature detail that’s been part of our jewelry journey for over 13 years.
How a Leaf Became Our Signature: The Story Behind Our Aspen Leaf Cards
When we first opened our store, money was tight. Like, “how are we going to display our earrings?” tight.
We had spent everything getting the doors open, but there was still one major problem: how were we going to display all the jewelry in the cases in a way that looked thoughtful and special—without spending a fortune?
That’s when my mom came to the rescue with an unexpected idea. She told me she had just learned how to preserve leaves using glycerin. So, off we went to the pharmacy to buy some, grabbed a pair of scissors, and started clipping aspen leaves from trees nearby. We glued the preserved leaves to simple pieces of paper and set the jewelry on top.
And to our surprise… everyone loved them.
What started as a scrappy, last-minute solution quickly became something that customers raved about. People weren’t just buying the jewelry—they were excited about the cards. They asked about the leaves. They commented on how special and one-of-a-kind each display felt.
Fast forward 13 years later, and those aspen leaf cards are now a signature part of what we do. Each one is still made by hand, just like our jewelry. We still collect and preserve leaves—last year, I tried to gather 4,000 of them! And we still glue each one onto a card with care and intention.
In the early days, we didn’t give the leaf cards away with purchases—they were too valuable, and we were just trying to keep our displays looking full. But now, when someone buys a piece of jewelry, we include the leaf card with it. It’s our little way of sharing a piece of Colorado with every customer.
The leaves are more than just a display. They represent the heart of this business—resourcefulness, nature, beauty, and handmade detail. No two are ever the same, and neither is any piece of jewelry we sell.
So if you’ve ever wondered why there’s a real aspen leaf under your necklace or earrings… now you know. It started with a budget problem, a creative mom, and a love for making something beautiful out of the simplest things.