My husband and I basically don’t buy each other stuff for birthdays or your typical special occasions. We have been married for 11 years and basically buy ourselves whatever we want, and can afford, whenever we want it. Besides we have everything we need and a very small house in which to keep it all.

My last birthday this past May was no different. He hugged and kissed me and wished me a happy birthday and went off to work like most days.

A month later he hugged me and kissed me again and said he thought of the perfect gift to get me for my birthday. A month late or eleven months early?

I was excited and curious but skeptical it would be that great. I don’t know why I thought that, he’s creative and smart and funny and after all, he married me so obviously his taste is impeccable. And I was not disappointed!

“Call Sarah Wilbanks” he said, “and tell her I’m buying you a pair of her earrings and we’re taking her out to dinner for your birthday.” he explained grinning, rather proud of himself. I leapt into his arms squealing. If you haven’t seen Sarah’s work you might not understand how exciting that all sounded to me. Her jewelry is whimsical and delicate and strong and elegant and you feel amazing when you wear it.

I called immediately and we set up a date! Like magic a couple weeks later we were standing in her fairyland world of color and wonder. Otherwise known as her tiny, 1920s, studio apartment that has survived a city whose new buildings dwarf it like the movie Up.

But this wasn’t our first visit to Sarah’s little kingdom. The first time Bill and I went to Sarah’s we had dinner with some friends another creative genius living in her neighborhood. (More on her in another blog post). As we all sat full from dinner, sipping drinks she and I began reminiscing about our friendship and things we’d seen and done together over the decades.

I began telling the group about her first art show a looooong time ago. And how impressed I had been and how fortunate I felt to still be a friend of Sarah’s. I started describing a piece I had wanted to buy at that first show 30 years earlier. It was light, sea foam green and had an elaborate paper flower on top with a window and tiny bible inside, I explained. When I had asked about buying it at the show she told me it wasn’t for sale, I continued, laughing at the memory.

Sarah, quietly smiling, got up from her seat and stepping delicately between our feet walked to a large closet behind her dining table, slash desk, and slid the wide door open. Carefully moving several things around, she reached back into the dark closet and drew out the paper sculpture that was not for sale. It was still with her.

Not many things survived my 20s and I felt relief knowing it had been safer with her than it would have been with me.

The fragile paper sculpture was exactly the way I had remembered it. Memories flooded back like it had all happened last weekend. I remembered who came with me to her show and the music we listened to on the way home. I remembered feeling inspired and happy surrounded by her work. And here it was thirty years later, like a tiny time machine.

“It’s titled ‘Self Portrait’ Sarah said smiling at me.

No wonder I liked it so much. And here I was choosing another piece of art - one I could buy this time - and wear!

I chose a pair of earrings that she was in the middle of designing. They would be ready in two weeks for me to pick up. I’ll post a picture soon. For now, meet my amazing friend and talented artists Sarah Wilbanks.

You can find Sarah’s beautiful work on Instagram at sarahwilbanks

and in her Etsy Shop at sarahwilbanksjewelry.com.

Or come see her work in person at her upcoming shows and events.

February 9th Pop Up 12-4pm at Kobo at Higo in the International District. https://koboseattle.com/

February 10th 3-8pm Market Monday at Kakao in SLU https://www.kakaoseattle.com/

February 13th - 17th Water Works Gallery in Friday Harbor will be open for Valentine's weekend for those wanting to get away with their special someone.https://www.waterworksgallery.com/shows

Want to try your hand at polymer and sip wine with lovely people? Just reply to this email if you are interested in hosting an evening event at your house.

Exciting Spring News: New Website in the works. Spring Trunk Show at Bezel and Kiln in the newly spiffed up Pacific Place.

Follow me on Instagram or FB for giveaways and to get behind the scenes insight into my process.

Sarah Wilbanks: Fine Art Jewelry Artist, Part One