the Crescent Moon Bear Necklace

This piece was inspired by the story of the Crescent Moon Bear from the book Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés. It’s a beautiful Japanese story about a brave woman who treks into a mountain wilderness to seek out the crescent moon bear. It’s a much longer story than I can tell fully here, but there’s one part that stood out to me so much I had to make a piece of jewelry inspired by it.

As she travels through the wilderness she often cries out “arigato zaishö” to thank the mountain for letting her climb upon its back, and the trees for letting her pass by them. This struck me as a beautiful way to go through the woods and ever since the first time I read the story I carry those words of thanks with me into the mountains. This piece is a reminder of that intention to walk with gratitude, of the wild spirit of the bear, and of the blessing of the light of the moon.  

+ Hand forged heavy gauge rustic reclaimed sterling silver  crescent moon pendant and hand forged brass pendant that has been hand stamped with a bear paw print. 

+ Hand stamped “arigato zaishö” detail on back of the brass pendant 

+ Bear paw pendant is ⅝” long from top of bail to bottom of pendant and ½” wide at widest points. Crescent moon pendant is ¾” long from top of bail to bottom of pendant and ¼” wide at widest points.

+ Hand-beaded with Italian glass and hematite beads, with brass accent beads. Beaded on a waxed thread closed with a waxed knot under a brass bead.

+ Bead strand is 26”  long with a 13” drop 

+ 16, 18, 20, 24, and 30 inch sterling silver bead chains available upon request. If you prefer a chain to a beaded strand, chose that option and leave me a note at check out which of the available lengths you would like.

+ If you chose the chain option the pendants can be worn together or separately.

+ Hand fabricated by me start to finish using hand tools

+ If you have sizing questions please contact me I am happy to help

+ Brushed and oxidized sterling silver

+ Rustic and vintage style

+ Please measure and re-measure before ordering to insure that you have the correct size before ordering. If you have questions about fit or sizing please contact me first as I do not accept returns or cancellations.

+ All items are handmade, this means that they are not perfect and are not meant to be. Any slight irregularities are to be considered normal and a beautiful part of buying something made by hand not a machine and not a reason for dissatisfaction.