ASYMMETRIC JEWELLERY INSPIRED BY WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER
We are all different. Our faces are not symmetrical - our bodies are not symmetrical. We are all, in some way, a little bit wonky.
In honour of women with breast cancer, Wonky Warriors jewellery designs are all asymmetric, easy wear, and high quality. Each collection tells its own story and is a symbol of recognition and acceptance of the events that change our lives.
Hello! I’m Dawn, and Wonky Warriors was conceived in a busy online chat room whilst waiting for one of my breast cancer treatments. We were ‘chatting’ and laughing about being newly lopsided or flat chested with typical British stoicism and humour. But of course all of us beautiful strong lumpy bumpy ladies knew deep down that we would eventually need to find a new 'normal' and somehow embrace the changes that we were going through.
You can laugh about not needing to buy a bra anymore, or not having to hold your chest whilst running for the bus, liking the idea of newer perkier boobs, or deciding on the coolest tattoos to cover scarring. Ultimately though, rebuilding self esteem can be a real struggle once you have lost some of, one, or both of your breasts.
My personal choice for post lumpectomy life was to leave it 'au naturale', no prosthesis, no nipple reconstruction, no tattoo. Also – I stopped wearing a bra as it was just so frickin uncomfortable. That left me with style choices to make to disguise and camouflage my new wonkiness.
It didn’t start well, I have to tell you. At the time, I loved a boat neck top and long statement necklace, but those days were over. Have you seen the film Thoroughly Modern Millie? If not, you should, it’s most excellent. Millie is the one on the right and models my personal dilemma and opinion of the situation very well. Her face says it all...
I have to say... I did sulk a bit. I loved my long necklaces. I was diagnosed in 2018 at 42 years old, so I knew myself pretty well. I was at a stage in my life where I was happy with who I was and what I looked like barring wanting a couple of centimetres off my backside. My diagnosis had left me feeling a little lost in my own skin. Sound familiar?
Then I discovered ASYMMETRY. And it was perfect. It just ‘fit’. It fit my ‘new me’ and it worked like magic. Try it! Pop on an asymmetric print top and look in the mirror. If you’re wonky, I bet you can hardly tell. I am not ashamed by my wonkiness, but it’s nice not to have people keep glancing at my chest wondering what’s going on.
Next I made an asymmetric necklace to match one of my new tops. Then another. And then another. And I eventually realised – I wasn’t just making it to match my outfit, I was making to match me. But I’m not the only wonky lady out there. So now I’m making it for you too.
Each jewellery collection tells its own story and is a symbol of recognition and acceptance of these events that have changed our lives. Everyone’s path may be different but each one holds the same fundamental truth. You are still you. Just a little bit different.
I understand the dexterity issues that some of us Wonky Warriors have, those awful fiddly clasps that you have to reach behind your neck to fasten – no thanks! And even before my surgery I could not get my bracelets on without assistance or a paperclip. So my pieces include features such as front toggle clasps for easy fastening, sliding clasps, and fully adjustable bracelets. And all Wonky Warriors jewellery is made from sterling silver to minimise risk of skin irritation. I understand that these simple things make our lives a bit easier but can be hard to find on the high street.
Whether you are flat chested, asymmetric, or reconstructed. Whether you have had cancer or fought alongside a loved one. Whether you are one of the amazing nurses and doctors who fight cancer daily. We are all Wonky Warriors.
Thanks for reading
Dawn
xoxo
