#clare crespo

[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]

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]

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