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Chevron Jewelry Inspirations: Empowerment, History, and Handmade Style


 

Beech Designs Chevron Wing Earrings
Chevron wing earrings inspired by nature’s 
colors and timeless symbolism.

It's no surprise nature is at the core inspiration of Beech Designs' creations. But did you know that geometric shapes, like the Chevron, hold history and symbolic meaning? 



Drawn to its simple yet powerful form the Chevron plays as a recurring design theme throughout jewelry adornments here. 


A Bit of History 


The Chevron shape is rooted in ancient history and is recognized as one of the oldest symbols. With history dating back to the Neolithic era (6th to 5th millenia BC).


Some of the earliest Chevron designs are found displayed on ornamental pottery and rock art. 


Around the world

Round architectural tower featuring repeating chevron patterns beside a domed structure, showcasing geometric decorative design.
The chevron has adorned architecture for centuries,
from floors and arches to decorative details.
Since ancient times, symbolic writing to
many aspects within architecture, the Chevron has been found throughout subsequent cultures to the present day. From Chevron patterned flooring, to decorative archways and columns, to roofing. And is still popular today. 





Indian fashion model wearing a flowing outfit with a bold chevron pattern, seated outdoors in a stone doorway with eyes closed in a relaxed pose.
From ancient symbols
to modern design, the chevron
continues to inspire.
Additionally, it is recognized as a celebrated symbol within badges of rank, it has been a recurring welcomed flag motif, and continues to influence fashion worldwide.


Chevron 🔰 Power

Military jacket featuring chevron insignia patches on the sleeves, representing rank and traditional symbols of honor and service.
Throughout history, the chevron has
symbolized achievement, rank,
and recognition.
Other symbolic meanings


Intuitively drawn to the shape of the Chevron, its enriched meaning is backed with significant blessings of luck and good fortune, protection, and of hope for the future. As well as more well known associations of strength, unity, and honor.



Pair of handcrafted Beech Designs beaded wing earrings inspired by the turquoise parrot, featuring opaque turquoise and transparent yellow chevron patterns, displayed over a green leaf and stone background.
The turquoise parrot colors,
where geometric pattern
meets organic beauty.
It's no wonder this theme continues to be an inspiring design here.



Chevron jewelry adornments by Beech Designs honors your spirit and reflects empowerment on your journey. ✨

Inspirational quote graphic featuring words by Beech Designs artist: “Where doors open within, opportunities and visions liv’n.”





Explore your next favorite piece.



Pair of handcrafted Beech Designs chevron swing earrings featuring beaded geometric designs suspended from chains on each side.
A playful take on the chevron motif, these handcrafted earrings
combine geometric pattern, movement, and intricate beadwork.



Explore more jewelry inspirations in Shell Power: Whispers of Inspiration from Mother Nature



Stay Connected >>>>

Beech Designs

Objects of Desire + Notes From The Studio





















 


UGC for Beginners: Start Flexible Content Creation From Home

Sunset view through a brick archway opening onto a path, symbolizing a new beginning and a journey toward flexible creative work.

When Traditional Work Doesn't Fit Your Life Anymore

There are many people searching for ways to work from home, build flexible income, or create work that actually fits their life—not the other way around.

Not because they lack ambition, discipline, or ideas—but because traditional job structures don’t always leave space for real life. 

Different energy levels. Different responsibilities. Different seasons of life.

And for many, the question slowly shifts.

It’s no longer:

“How do I do more?”

Instead, it becomes something more aligned, more honest:

How do I build work that actually works for me?

A way of working that feels adaptable. Creative. Sustainable. Human.

For those exploring flexible creative work, I put together a simple UGC Starter Kit designed for beginners navigating the early steps.

Explore the Starter Kit →


A New Kind of Creative Work: UGC


Woman sitting at a home desk near a window, thoughtfully working on a computer while exploring creative work possibilities.
One of these paths is
UGC—User Generated Content.

In simple terms, UGC involves creating short-form content—videos, photos, or everyday product demonstrations, or everyday lifestyle storytelling.

This content shows up in:

  • social media posts
  • paid ads
  • websites and product pages

You are not required to be an influencer.
You don’t need a large audience.

Stone pathway through green grass symbolizing a new direction and the beginning of a creative journey.

Instead, you’re working as a content creator for brands, producing authentic, usable content they can share on their own platforms. 

For many people, this becomes an approachable entry point into online creative work—without needing to build a personal brand first or fit into traditional work structures.


Why UGC Is Becoming a Path for So Many People


There is a growing need for work that feels more flexible, more independent, and more adaptable to daily life.

Woman standing near the water in nature with arms outstretched, expressing a sense of freedom, openness, and creative possibility.

UGC is becoming part of that shift because it allows people to:

  • work from home
  • create on their own schedule
  • begin without a large following
  • builds income gradually over time

With perseverance your success will grow. For some it could be overnight success. But for most creators, momentum builds through consistency, experimentation, and continuing to show up.

It’s part of a movement toward independent creative work—where people build income through skills, not job titles.

And for many, this provides a space of opportunity to express ones creative ability.



A Starting Point...
Overhead view of a woman writing in a notebook beside a laptop while beginning a creative work journey.

UGC rarely begins with a perfect plan.

More often, it's a decision to simply start showing up as someone who creates.

This path is often explored by people who require more flexible ways of working, including:

  • caregivers navigating changing schedules
  • students building income alongside studies
  • people feeling burnt out from traditional jobs
  • individuals rebuilding after life transitions
  • beginners exploring online creative work
  • stay-at-home parents looking for flexible income

Each situation is different.

But the underlying need is similar:

Work that is simple enough and flexible enough to sustain.


How You Structure Is Critical

For most beginners, the challenge is not creativity.

It’s structure:

  • how to present yourself to brands
  • what to include in a portfolio
  • how to price my work
  • what makes you “ready”
  • with products you experience 

Why stay in research mode... Overthinking?...



In creative work like UGC, readiness builds after you begin. And over time you vision becomes clear through action. 

Woman holding a camera and looking through the lens while discovering a new perspective through creative content creation.


How the UGC Starter Kit Came to Be

When I first started exploring UGC, the creative part came naturally.

Creating content, experimenting with ideas, and finding my own rhythm.

That part felt intuitive and exciting.

But very quickly, I realized something else:

There are a few essential tools needed to actually work with brands. The in-depth parts of creative work.

Such as:

  • a simple portfolio
  • a rate card/ your pricing 
  • an invoice template

These foundational pieces take time to create.

It can be daunting. One may find themselves spending more time setting up systems instead of focusing on creating.

And somewhere in that process, a thought kept coming up:

“If this is a challenge for me, I imagine it's a challenge for other people too.”

So the UGC Starter Kit began.

A simple set of foundational tools to help people move from thinking about starting... to actually beginning.

Camera, laptop, and phone arranged on a workspace while creating and organizing UGC content.


So Let's Begin

The UGC Starter Kit was created to remove some of the early challenges that often holds people back.

Inside, you’ll find:

  • a simple UGC portfolio structure
  • a beginner-friendly rate card template
  • a basic invoice template

The core pieces needed to start showing up professionally and confidently.

Woman working on a laptop at a quiet café table, beginning a creative journey in a calm and productive setting.

As there are many ways to build a creative working life.

UGC is just one of them.

It isn't necessary to have everything figured out before you begin.

Because in creative work:

  • clarity builds through action
  • confidence builds through experience
  • direction appears as you move forward

Simply, this is one small, steady starting point for anyone who wants to begin creating work that fits their life more naturally.

If it feels aligned, the starter kit is available whenever you’re ready to take that first step.

Start Your UGC Journey →


___________________________________________


If you're exploring flexible work and creative paths, I share reflections, beginner ideas, and behind-the-scenes notes.


Stay connected →








Objects of Desire + Notes From The Studio

Derby Week in Louisville: A Season That Unfolds in Layers

Kentucky Bluegrass country... spring awakens and opens with unfolding layers — rolling pastures turning green, dogwoods, redbuds, weeping cherries, garden and wild flowers blooming, infusing hillsides and fields with color. 

Weeping cherry blossom tree in bloom in Louisville, Kentucky during Derby season
A weeping cherry blossom,
 in Louisville 

Louisville welcomes Derby season.

For more in depth coverage of events, activities, attractions, dining, fun, making your experience more enjoyable checkout the guide here.


A Season, Not a Single Day

Perhaps it’s your first time heading to Churchill Downs…

It becomes clear, all begins well before race day.

Its a season — of gatherings, riverfront evenings, and traditions that feel both celebratory and deeply rooted. 


The Early Stretch

Two horses standing in a Kentucky field looking toward the camera with grass in their mouths
Moments of the season.
When traveling, early to mid April, is the best time to witness the unfurling of Bluegrass country- a vista of open land holding the presence of thoroughbreds.


The City in Motion

In Louisville — founded in 1778 along the Falls of the Ohio, once a vital river route between North and South — history moves alongside the present.

Four bourbon cocktails clinking together in a city setting, capturing a lively afternoon
A Toast to the Season.

Historic streets, bourbon tastings, and long lunches that turn into late afternoons.


And then — 

Hot air balloons lift off at sunrise,
fireworks over the river at night,
color and spectacle taking over the city.

The rhythm of Derby Week builds gradually, with events coming together across the city, overlapping, expanding.

Hot air balloon lifting off at sunrise over Louisville, Kentucky
Morning lift-off


Allowing the shifts to flow enhances the experience to feel seamless, making some of the most memorable moments.

"It's about the journey, not the destination ".... Between the transitions, not just the highlights.

Hence the Derby-Week-Louisville-Insider- to show you how it may all fit together before you arrive.

Using it to shape your stay. 

Discover the traditions behind Derby and the history woven into the week.

Derby Digital Guide cover featuring Twin Spires at Churchill Downs, Louisville
The Insider’s Guide to Derby Week.

-Horse country experiences and where to begin 

-Louisville’s food, bourbon, and neighborhood highlights 

-Key events across Derby Week, mapped with context 

-Practical details that shape how the experience unfolds


Providing a sense of how it all connects changes the experience entirely.

If you’re planning your time in Louisville this season —

Get the full Derby Digital Guide and step into the week prepared


*Image source: Churchill Downs 


______________________________________

If you find yourself drawn to landscapes, traditions, and the moments between destinations, I share notes and reflections from along the way.


Stay connected →


Step inside Derby Week. Hats, gardens, and house adventures.






Beech Designs

Objects of Desire + Notes From The Studio

🌱 Plants That Bring Heartfelt Vibes

A home filled with living plants creates space for warmth, beauty, and everyday moments of connection.

Close-up of a pink and white amaryllis flower in full bloom, showing delicate petals and soft color variations
Pink and white Amaryllis in full bloom.
In a single blossom or a heart-shaped leaf,  plants bring beauty and meaning to indoor gardening offering inspiration and reflection.

If you’ve been following my indoor garden journey, it comes as no surprise that these plants carry their own kind of romance — offering beauty, presence, and a gentle reminder to care for something living… including yourself.

They uplift. They grow. And as we care for them each day, they care for us — inviting us to experience life more fully, more deeply, in rhythm with their own unfolding.

Nature’s beauty grows and shifts over time, creating a living atmospheric backdrop that brings warmth, depth, and a sense of calm into everyday spaces. When we give the gift of living plants, we invite a space where enjoyment can grow, and the bond between giver and receiver is held within the blooming beauty of life itself.

Here are a few favorite indoor plants that create spaces filled with beauty and joy.



🌺Amaryllis — Bold Love, Right on Time


Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) bursts into life with large, sculpted blooms that instantly brighten indoor spaces on even the
Center opening of an Apple Blossom amaryllis, with soft pink and white petals unfolding
Apple Blossom Amaryllis in soft pink and white.
coldest winter days. Their elegant petals and
vibrant, shimmering hues — deep reds, soft blushes, and luminous whites — create a show-stopping presence while offering a
subtle daily reminder to pause and notice
the beauty revealing itself around you.


Indoor care tips:

These plants thrive in warmth, plenty of bright, indirect light, and regular watering. Watching them
Rilona amaryllis bud just before bloom, with tightly closed petals on a tall green stem
A Rilona amaryllis bud.
grow from bulb to bloom is a slow, rewarding process — a simple indoor ritual full of life and color.


°Place in bright, indirect light to support strong, upright stems.

°Keep soil lightly moist, especially once growth begins.

°Maintain a warm environment, rotating the
Salmon-peach blooms of Amaryllis ‘Rilona’ opening indoors, with softly layered petals
Amaryllis ‘Rilona’ blooming in
soft salmon-peach tones.
pot occasionally so stems grow evenly.


🌱 Pro Tip — Amaryllis Are Perennials


Amaryllis flowers are perennials, meaning they return year after year with the right care. Once blooming is complete and the stalks begin to dry, trim away the dry flower stems. At this stage, the plant’s energy is naturally redirecting back toward the bulb.Allow the leaves to remain. Once the leaves have fully died back, store the bulb in a cool, dark place to rest.


Close-up of Amaryllis ‘Charisma’ blossoms featuring bright red brushstrokes and painterly details on white petals
Painterly red and white blooms of Amaryllis ‘Charisma’.
When new leaves begin to emerge, that’s your signal to bring the bulb back into light and resume regular watering — the next bloom cycle is on its way.


🗝️Psst… here’s where it gets fun:
Four pots, four bulbs, you can enjoy blooms throughout the entire winter season. Amaryllis are categorized as early, mid, and late season bloomers.

Each bulb often produces multiple stalks, with 2–6 blooms per stalk, opening in succession. When timed thoughtfully, the display feels layered and continuous — one plant finishing just as another begins. Under optimal conditions, each bloom cycle can last over a month.

Showcase of shapely Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) blooms with rich, iridescent colors brightening a cold winter day indoors
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) blooms bringing color to a winter day.

A true garden investment:

4 bulbs (in 4 pots)= flowers all winter, every year. Low maintenance, high return — especially for anyone who struggles with the colder months or seasonal shifts.


🪷Orchids — Slow Bloom Elegance 


Sunlit view looking down on pink Phalaenopsis orchids, also known as moth orchids, with elegant long-lasting blooms
Pink Phalaenopsis orchids
glowing in natural light.
Orchids bring a gentle softness to indoor spaces, their blooms lasting for weeks — sometimes even months — with just a little attention. Long associated with love, beauty, strength, and refinement, they carry a quiet sense of luxury — elegant, composed, and enduring. Their presence introduces a soft tropical cadence into the home or office, calm and uplifting, never overstated.

If you’re looking to bring this slow-bloom elegance into your own space, I love pink Phalaenopsis orchids for a delicate pop of color, yellow Phalaenopsis orchids, layered look, or a classic moth orchid for timeless sophistication.

Cluster of Phalaenopsis orchids, commonly known as moth orchids, with white and purple striped flowers and unopened green buds
Moth orchids with striped petals and unopened buds.

Indoor care tips:


°Bright, indirect light (near a window, but out of direct sun)
°Water about once a week, allowing roots to dry
slightly between waterings
°Good airflow helps prevent root issues


🌿 Orchid Pro Tip — Think Tropical, Not Potted Plant


Orchids thrive in warm, humid environments — in nature, they grow attached to tree bark, and do well on cork, but not buried in soil. That’s why they respond best to a watering style that mimics tropical rain.

Phalaenopsis orchid, also known as a moth orchid, planted in a round light-colored pot, set indoors against a warm terracotta wall with tropical palm leaf shadows
Moth orchid in a warm,
sunlit interior setting.
Instead of frequent small sips, orchids prefer an occasional thorough drenching.

Give them a good soak — a generous rinse or spray — and allow the roots to fully absorb the moisture. Then let the pot drain completely, let dry before watering again.

Depending on your space and humidity, this may mean watering only every few days, or even once a week.

For humidity- light misting or placing orchids near other plants can help recreate that moist, tropical air they love.

Food matters more than you think:
Orchids need nutrients to bloom. A quality orchid fertilizer — liquid or slow-release pellets — makes a noticeable difference. 

Without regular feeding, plants may look healthy but never produce flowers.
If you’re wondering why your orchid isn’t blooming, check these three things first:

Light (bright, indirect light is key)

Water (deep soak, then let dry, but not dry dry)

Food (orchid-specific fertilizer)

Arrangement of yellow and pink Phalaenopsis orchids, elegant home decor plants with long-lasting blooms
Yellow and pink Phalaenopsis orchids brightening a home space.

When those needs are met, orchids reward you with blooms that last for weeks — sometimes months — a true slow-bloom kind of beauty.



🌺Begonias — Gentle Color & Comfort

Heart-shaped Hoya or Peperomia
Close-up of Begonia brevirimosa showing its striking foliage and delicate flowers
Close-up of Begonia brevirimosa
leaves and blooms.
Begonias offer soft pinks, rich reds, and textured leaves that feel cozy and inviting. Whether blooming or foliage‑focused, these plants bring warmth to winter windowsills and shaded corners with a softness that feels like a quiet hug from the garden.
Rex Begonia with richly patterned, velvety leaves, showcasing intricate textures and vibrant colors in soft indoor light
Richly patterned, textured Rex Begonia leaves.

From bold flowered types to patterned Rex leaves, begonias are a wonderfully varied genus — each with its own charm. For example, Begonia ‘Harmony’s Fire Woman’ is a striking Rex type with vibrant color and lush form, easily grown indoors when given
Large double-flowered pink tuberous begonias with lush, layered petals and soft, vibrant texture
Double-flowered pink tuberous begonias in full bloom.
good humidity and steady conditions. These plants traditionally thrive in shade, though many newer cultivars perform beautifully in bright light as well.


Indoor care tips:
°Bright, filtered light
°Keep soil lightly moist but never soggy
°Provide good drainage and moderate temperatures
°Avoid misting leaves — they prefer dry foliage


🌿 Begonia Pro Tip — Less Water, More Intention

Garden container display featuring vibrant red begonias paired with trailing green foliage, perfect as a decorative entry feature
Garden container with vibrant
red begonias and green foliage.
Begonias prefer moderation when it comes to water. Avoid overwatering — consistently soggy soil can lead to stress and root issues. Instead, allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings.

For best results, for container grown plants to promote blossoms, use a balanced water soluble fertilizer about half strength, approximately 2-4 weeks. Make sure to water in the container, not over the plant to prevent fertilizer burn. Use a fertilizer (15-30-15, '30' is phosphorus) to encourage blooming.

As blooms begin to fade, gently pinch them off with intention. This simple act redirects the plant’s energy, encouraging new buds to form and keeping the plant looking fresh and vibrant over time.


Tuberous begonias with showy large blooms and emerging buds, showcasing layered petals and vibrant color
Vibrant tuberous begonias
with layered petals and buds.
With a light hand and mindful care, begonias respond beautifully — rewarding you with continued growth and renewed blooms.

In the end, these plants aren’t just decorative — they’re living reminders to pause, nurture, and appreciate beauty as it unfolds. Whether given as a gift or chosen for yourself, indoor plants hold space for beauty, patience, and connection — a quiet expression of care, rooted in presence, and perfectly aligned with the heart of the season.


Three flowering plants side by side: Amaryllis ‘Double Delicious’ on the left, a pink Phalaenopsis moth orchid in the center, and a pink-peach tuberous begonia on the right
Winter blooms: Amaryllis, pink orchid,
and pink-peach begonia.


If these plants have brought you a moment of warmth and inspiration, wander next into Beech Designs in Florida’s Majestic Barrier Island — an invitation to let coastal light and open horizons extend that feeling, like stepping outdoors after tending a favorite bloom.




__________________________________________

If you're drawn to indoor plants, garden moments, and the beauty found in everyday spaces, I share reflections, garden discoveries, and notes from along the way.


Floral Journal







Objects of Desire + Notes From The Studio



Beech Designs in Florida's Majestic Barrier Island


Bright morning sky with rainbow clouds over Florida’s Gulf Coast barrier island.
Explore curated favorites here.
Image by Susan Gage

Let's go to the sea and see! 

Will there be a rainbow? Most likely.


Here, off Florida’s barrier island, early risers are rewarded — dolphins tracing the shoreline as the day’s first light unfurls. Though the sun sets into the horizon on Florida’s West Coast, the morning arrives softly from behind us, illuminating sea and sky as if we’re waking inside a dream — the kind of hush and glow you might step into from a Maxwell Parrish painting.

Artists, like fishermen casting their reels, lasso the moment onto canvas. Clouds never seem so near here — mountainous and finely detailed — unfolding and morphing as 
Artist on beach painting at easel, with paints and brushes, capturing the clouds and coastal scenery.
Moments caught on
the coastal canvas
.
they drift, close enough to touch, dancing across the imagined canvases of inspired hands.

On the horizon, the sky and sea unzip with the first boat's wake. The trail of vibrant white wash accent the surreal bodacious clouds hanging about.

With feet in the sand, a gentle coastal breeze invites and holds your awareness. Bathed in the sun’s warmth and light, you need be nowhere else.

Witnessing every surface ever so bright and clear in its magic.

Shorebird, looking up photographer,  searching for food along the water’s edge on Florida’s barrier island shoreline.
Coastal curiosity captured.
Image by Susan Gage
Crystal waters teaming with aquatic fauna. That fishermen cast and birds stalk for a morning's morsel. Shells and shark's teeth emerge from the soft shoreline sand. 
The Gulf never ceases to amaze. (pun intended) 😉

Mother Nature's offerings fill the senses with ever-present awareness. A revitalizing, a healing, an activation.

Wide coastal view of water and shoreline on a bright morning along Florida’s Gulf Coast barrier island.
A moment of light across the waves. 
Image by Susan Gage.

Walking along her surface, forms and colors catch my eye. 
And simply, I'm inspired. 
Inspiration... Inquires ...
Can we share co-creating in this process of making wearable art?

Where ever I'm at, I find myself working with what's around me. Through the discoveries of Mother Nature's elemental aspects.
Of honoring Mother Earth's natural wonders through creativity... Gives progression to Beach Designs jewelry art.

Calico scallop and sea urchin inspired chandelier dangle earrings, handmade with natural ocean textures and colors.
Calico Scallop Chandelier Dangles
It's been a dream to share my creations. Using different jewelry techniques, creating tangible idea/designs of the beautiful, jewelry and other creations with native & natural inspiring elements.
The creations of Beech Designs, combines both a love for art & jewelry making.

If you have a love for nature or know someone who does, and looking for one of a kind gifts. Take a little something home to remind you of the natural wonders of Florida's barrier islands.

Visitors can check out Island Cove Gallery locally. 

Turquoise background with pink line illustrations of aquatic life, including palm tree, shells, fish, mermaid, and flying crane, centered around “Island Cove.”
Island Cove meets shore and sea. 

Located at 1519 Gulf Blvd, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785. There, one can experience Beech Designs unique artisan jewelry as well as online.

Handcrafted island shell necklace featuring natural shells
Island shell jewelry
Beech Designs stands for inspiration, innovation, love & light, peace and personal growth. A business devoted to promoting empowerment through creativity. 

Thank you for wandering along this shoreline with me. If this moment drew you in — whether by the light’s embrace or the hush of the breeze — you might enjoy exploring my coastal‑inspired wearable art. Visit Island Cove Gallery in Indian Rocks Beach, FL, or browse the collection online to take a little piece of the island’s magic home with you. And if you’d like to share, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.