Let me tell you a little story about the necklace above. Once upon a time, a girl walked into my work wearing this necklace. I actually jumped over the counter and accosted her, grabbing the necklace in my excitement and demanding to know where it had come from, refusing to be parted from it until she had reassured me repeatedly that there were more at the shop. It took me five visits to find the place open- a little boutique that tends to keep it’s own hours. But find it I did, and along with the one necklace (since then in heavy rotation among my favorites), I discovered the entire line that is Hotcakes Design.

The cast resin jewelry bears a striking resemblance to Gutta-percha or Bakelite, giving the pieces the look and feel of antique mourning jewelry. The company provides a wide array of graphics to go under the cabochons, and for a wee bit more you can give them your own art and have it mounted in any of their designs.