My Hands, My Story, My Life
When I look back on my life, I realize my hands have been constant companions, guiding me from one creative adventure to the next. It all began with something so simple - a needle and thread.
I was in my early twenties when I became hooked on needlepoint and embroidery. What started as a hobby became a business I ran straight from my kitchen table. I never thought those small designs I made - embroidery kits for children, plaques for professions - would actually end up in stores like Marshall Field's.
The day my work showed up in Spiegel catalogs, I was on top of the moon. It was at that moment I knew my creativity could support me throughout my lifetime. I've always loved how art can capture what makes a person unique. My time at Wharton School of Finance helped me envision how my imagination could fuel a lifelong career.
Jewelry design is where I found my true passion. Many years of stitching and watch design led me to create unique, handmade works of art - this is why I call my jewelry "wearable art". Every necklace, every bracelet tells its own story, inspired by modern art's wild shapes and colors. My designs are not simply accessories - when a woman puts on one of my pieces, she feels different. Stronger, more beautiful, and more herself.
Eventually, I wanted to make art people could wear everyday as a personal testament tied to their identity. I began a watch company named "What's Your Line?", following the same concept as my embroidery kits - that your job, your interests, your individuality, could be worn as a statement. Learning about watch mechanics opened up a new world for me.
Today, I am in my 80s, and continue to create wearable art from my home studio. Though my hands are weathered, I'm just as excited today as I was at 23. Every morning, I wake up with new ideas, and being able to bring my visions to life is a true gift. A little wire, hand-painted beads, gemstones, crystal accents - I'll never stop pushing the boundaries of what's possible with these hands of mine.
by Carole Spilberg, 2025
