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WTF is a bikini body?
Any body.
In a bikini.
That's it.
We've all heard the media defining what a "bikini body" is every summer to shame us into buying weight loss products. Screw that - I'm taking the bikini back.
Let this "Bikini Body" Body Talk jewelry design be a symbol of self love in a body that fits outside of society's standards for beauty.
My body has changed in size, abilities, size, smoothness. But ya know what never changes? That it's beautiful. Strong. Capable of surviving in an unwelcoming world.
And guess what? It's a bikini body if I want to wear a damn bikini.
But right now it's a pajamas body and I'm comfortable as hellll with that.
Bodies come in all different shapes, sizes, shades and abilities - it's time to recognize the beauty in THAT.
These "Bikini Body" earrings feature brightly hand treated/anodized titanium with gold plated earring hooks and brass chain.
Body Talk designs have been hand drawn, sanded, anodized into color, assembled and finished by artist Jessie Moench.
Each purchase includes an artist statement as follows:
Body Talk Jewelry was created with a purpose: to tell my story, and to start a conversation. When I was 19 I had major surgery to remove 3 benign ovarian tumors. Complications from the surgery have had lifelong consequences. When I was 29, I had 3 more removed. At 33, I underwent surgery to diagnose and treat endometriosis. It ended up being a hysterectomy to remove my ovaries & uterus. The hormonal change put me into surgical menopause that debilitated me with migraines, hot flushes, nausea, joint pain, depression.
Throughout this experience, my body has changed so much: weight loss/gain, muscle loss/gain, swelling, symptoms of depression/anxiety, loss of physical ability. I was changed forever in ways I could not even begin to explain. My illness had touched everything in my life, including my sense of self. I had lost my identity, my body, and my voice. For years I viewed my body as an obstacle to my ability to live fully. I wanted to pretend my illness did not exist. I refused to look at my scars. I tried to keep it separate from my relationships and my work. I denied that my story existed. This, of course, was not healthy or sustainable. I stayed sick, sad, and ashamed until my body wouldn't let me anymore. I finally reached out for help. After years of therapy and reframing my perspective, I've learned how to love myself because of who I am and what I've been through - not despite of it.
I've come to see my body, changes and all, as a symbol of survival. I created Body Talk Jewelry to wear that symbol boldly and proudly. I made them to serve as a reminder of a few things my body has taught me:
Be grateful for your body. It’s doing it’s best, just like you. You, even at your most vulnerable, are beautiful and deserving of love. Speak your story, even when your voice shakes. Love yourself, scars and all.
-Jessie Moench
Bikini Body Earrings
Body Talk jewelry that is colored is made from titanium - a lightweight durable metal.
Colors on titanium pieces are created through anodizing - a process where titanium pieces are dipped into a chemical solution. Electric currents are sent through the solution using an anodizing device, which results in the submerged titanium changing color. You may see slight variances in color or tone due to this hand done process.
Each color is custom and hand created, so pieces may vary slightly in appearance or tone. Color may be scratched since it is on the outer layer of the metal.
Use a soft cloth and household cleaner to wipe off fingerprints and oil marks from titanium to restore brightness.
All packaging is made from paper to reduce the environmental impact of our products.
If you choose a custom color for your piece, please allow 2-3 weeks for me to hand sand, anodize, assemble, and ship it. Thank you!