My friend Eric called me about a month ago and said, “Kendra, I need you to make me a tiara for my sister.”  I said, “Excuse me, a what?”  I have never made a tiara before- in fact, I’ve never even made anything close.  I was nervous at first, but the more he told me, the more excited about this project I got.

So here’s the story: Eric and his sister Vanessa grew up in Italy.  When they were little, they spoke a mixture of Italian and English, and friends and family called  Vanessa “La Pricipessa” (Princess, in Italian).  Ever since, Eric has bought his sister a tiara for every major event in her life.  Next week she graduates from college, and he wanted to get her a really special gift.

I loved the story behind the gift, and so I thought a lot about what kind of tiara this should be.  I wanted to convey the sense of openness and possibility that comes with graduation.  My idea was to create a tiara that was not only a crown but a picture of the world, and so I designed a silhouette of a city, a forest, and a village to show Vanessa that the world is hers to explore and enjoy.

I’ve never cut out such a complicated silhouette before- I was so nervous!  But after many hours of intricate sawing with a half-milimeter saw blade, here is the result!

It felt so wonderful to be a part of such a special project.  It’s projects like these that make me feel like I am making a difference in people lives in a small way.  I love doing custom work, or even making things that I know will be given as gifts.  It makes me so happy to know that I am helping to make someone’s day!

Eric promised to get me more pictures of Vanessa wearing the tiara once she opens it.  Check back soon!