[secretwallsafe]

I made the little gold house charm on the right when my mom’s charm bracelet was stolen. I never put it here in the Secret Wall Safe because I couldn’t seem to face the fact that something so dear to me was really gone. Recently, I told my friend Emily about this and described how the little charm opened up to reveal a little bed with two pearl people sleeping in it. The gold charm on the left is what just arrived in my mailbox as a result of this conversation. I have a magical and thoughtful friend and I am so happy I might pop. Clare Crespo

[secretwallsafe]

My friend Pam Shamshiri gave me a beaded brooch made by Marianne Batlle of my favorite Prince. I realized on June 7th that it had been stolen in that crummy break in. I hope the thief knows they should be wearing it on his birthday! I just made this new one to put in the secret wall safe. Clare Crespo

[secretwallsafe]

Antique gold bracelets handed down to me from my Granny Helen. She took the one with diamonds on it off her wrist and put it on mine on the day I got married. I can’t quite remember all of the decoration on them but I remember exactly how they sounded. I wish they had not been stolen, but I feel better that they are safe here. Clare Crespo

[secretwallsafe]

My dad once made me a Jaws birthday cake. He even hung a swimming Barbie above it. It blew my birthday mind and definitely planted some important seeds for my future. To hold its memory I had a Polaroid pic of it. I was flying from Louisiana with the photo and accidentally left it in a magazine on the plane. Such a loss for me. Today I made a new version and am putting it here in the safe. Clare Crespo

[secretwallsafe]

"Ice blue prom dress, perhaps Grecian, columnar, a slinky, poly-blend, slight tan line showing, eye shadow to match, forgetting shoe wear?, hair = long, slightly Jolene creme bleached delicately around face." From: Lisa Wagner

Now this dress is safe and sound in the Secret Wall Safe.

[secretwallsafe]

The identity of this is secret but it was mine for awhile (although borrowed) and lost in the garden that I go to when I can. It is sterling silver with tiny inset chunks of diamonds. I think about it a lot and the garden it is lost in. I've looked for it at night with a flashlight hoping a little flash of diamond chunk will lead me to it. Lisa Wagner

[secretwallsafe]

This is my Lumix. With this camera I was able to document weddings, births, sunsets, and sunrises. It gave me the excuse to sit down and interview people that I love and admire: my grandmother, my nephew, holocaust survivors, and artists old and young. It made me see how life offers us these beauty treasure moments that are just waiting to be recognized. I’ll miss that camera. Jessica Calliero Collins

[secretwallsafe]

"This is my bracelet that I never wore but I really loved it anyway. It's a NYC bracelet and has charms of an apple, a subway token, a taxi, and a pizza. it was stolen for no reason, because it wasn't made of gold. I miss it and I am glad it is in here."  Ruby C.

[secretwallsafe]

When the movie "A Hard Day's Night" premiered at the Metro theater in my very un-metro-like hometown of Prairie du Chien, Wis., everyone who attended the film received a free 8x10 black-and-white glossy photo of The Beatles and a cheap plastic flicker ring showing one of the band members. My ring featured a flickering photo of drummer Ringo Starr. At some point, many years ago, I lost track of both the glossy photo and the ring. (I've found other authentic Ringo Starr flicker rings online, and I easily could buy an identical-looking replacement - but it wouldn't be the same. It wouldn't be mine.) Greg Williams

[secretwallsafe]

This was my very favorite ring for very many years. It was an antique and made of yellow gold with turquoise stones and a diamond. My parents gave it to me and I treasured it and wore it all of the time, until I got engaged and put a different ring on that finger. My little daughter liked trying it on. It was swiped from my home, but this version is secure here so I won't forget it. Clare Crespo

[secretwallsafe]

My husband gave me this gold and onyx acorn on a long silver chain. The onyx was so so smooth. It made me think of the squirrel I named Nuts in my old back yard. Nuts got so so comfortable with me, he would take almonds and walnuts out of my hand. I invited him inside once, but my husband busted us. I loved that squirrel and that acorn. Acorn stolen. Nuts wild and free. Both memories safe here. Clare Crespo

[secretwallsafe]

This is a shrunken version of my childhood companion, Petesie, a very loved stuffed bunny. She was born Peter, but had switched genders when I was about five. By the end of her reign, the wires holding her ears up had broken, all her fur was gone, and my aunt terry had to embroider a new mouth and eyes for her. She really got me through the night in a lot of ways. I'm glad she is snuggling here now. Clare Crespo

[secretwallsafe]

The original version was my favorite necklace. A thin, perfectly round gold circle that fell exactly at the hollow of the throat. I bought it after selling my book. I had a boyfriend at the time who I was just crazy about and I'd hang the necklace on a nail above his bed when I slept over at his place. In the morning I'd walk him to work before heading home and sometimes, in our rush, I'd forget to grab the necklace off the nail. The day we broke up was one of those times and for all I know, its hanging there still, as stumped about where things went wrong as I was. Starlee Kine

[secretwallsafe]

John Neumann lost his nice glasses in NYC. This nice version of those glasses is now safe and sound here.

[secretwallsafe]

My Grandmother wore a wild and fancy belt. It was a narrow black leather band and had mysterious teeth set in silver dangling from it. I think she might have gotten it in Germany when my mother was a girl. A few of the teeth ended up in my jewelry box and I have NO idea what animals they were from. I used to wear this one as a necklace on a long silver chain. Maybe it was a bear tooth? Or a large feline's tooth? I have no idea, but it made me feel like a witch. Stolen. Safe here. Clare Crespo

[secretwallsafe]

My husband gave me these gold wasp earrings years ago. When I wore them the wasps would get caught in people's hair when we hugged. Dangerous like wasps! Stolen in May. Safe here now. Clare Crespo

[secretwallsafe]

Gold plated necklace made by Elvis' jeweler in Memphis. Given to me by my dad. Original stolen. My dad liked that I had the same birthday as Lisa Marie. Clare Crespo