by JEFF SPRY Cascade A&E Feature Writer
Bend artist Jennifer Aylward of Just A Little Charm creates shining collections of inspirational copper zipper pulls, necklaces, charms and earrings with an intriguing bit of history behind them.
“This is all made from recycled copper from the old Bend Bulletin newspaper building,” she explained. “It was built in 1965 and stood for 35 years before it was torn down in 2001. This was the copper flashing that decorated the roof edge. I got lucky and stumbled across the salvage company that peeled it off the building when it was demolished. It’s a beautiful medium to work in; you can rub decades of patina and tarnish off it in seconds. I bought about 170 feet of it so I’ll never run out and when I do I’ll retire.”
It’s up-cycled copper cool stuff she hopes to inspire the world by… one zipper at a time. Aylward has lived in Bend since 2004 and started her custom jewelry business two years ago.
But it was the December 14 tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut that allowed her art to reach out to those affected by the shootings far beyond her imagination, with the simplicity of a bird on a branch, creating a special charm to soothe.
“My sister, Catherine Galda, lives in Sandy Hook and has two little girls, Hannah, eight, and Meghan, four,” Aylward said. “One of them, Hannah, was just a few classrooms down from where the horrible incident occurred. Initially my thought was to make copper name charms for the children who died but it was way to soon.”
Aylward’s second thought was to create the charms for Hannah’s class so she designed the program after the TOMS Shoes One For One movement, which donates a pair of new shoes for every pair bought, effectively doubling every order for free.
“For every charm bought I’ll make two and mail them to Sandy Hook or wherever, that way others could also share in celebration of carrying a token with a positive note to it. I’ve been making that peaceful “partridge on a branch” image for nearly two years. It’s always struck me as such a peaceful image and I immediately knew what the design would be for a Sandy Hook charm.”
This tragedy inspired her to start the From Me to You Project, recognizing the powerful sentiment of large groups of people carrying the same token as a positive tribute.
“I made a simple charm design on a 5/8” copper circle,” she said. “My intention is to evoke a sense of calm in the people who carry this token. For the survivors and victims’ families, my hope is to provide a vision of healing. The charms will all be the same, thus connecting us all together. The token can be worn on a zipper pull, key chain, rear-view mirror, necklace or any place that serves as a reminder of our connection in the world.”
For Aylward, the response has been amazing and she’s received tremendous feedback from grateful recipients.
“I just dropped off 46 charms for every teacher and staff member at Highland Elementary in Bend. Teachers and staff at Amity Creek Elementary where my kids go to school were the first to receive them right before Christmas on the same day I debuted the project on my website. A lot of people who buy them are teachers and have gifted them to other teachers and friends.”
The Bend artist with a sensitive heart is proud to have her memorial charms worn by so many people and schools.
“I mailed 700 charms to my sister and she’s received them and is now working on a plan for distribution,”Aylward noted. “They’re $10 each and meant to be hooked on a zipper on a backpack, purse or jacket, anywhere. I continue to donate a portion of the proceeds directly to the Sandy Hook school so they can use the money any way they desire since it’s not district funds. They can buy pizza or laptops or anything they want.”
www.justalittlecharm.com, 541-647-4497.