Local Eating Disorder Therapist creates line of Recycled Jewelry Targeting Body Image

Nov. 18, 2009 - PRLog -- After the death of close friend and well-known local musican Carter Albrecht in 2007, local eating disorder therapist, Abbie Chesney, had no idea she would end up creating a line of jewelry in his honor that tackled the way we perceive ourselves.

Ms. Chesney began collecting recycled bass and guitar strings from local musicians in an effort to remember the voice of a musician in a tangible piece of art.  After searching through all kinds of mediums to create some type of acceptable memory form, she found taking the true voice of a musician seemed like the only way to go.  Using recycle bass and guitar strings created a sustainable gift representing the passion and creativity embodied in a musician, such as Albrecht and his local Dallas counterparts.

eye on the sparrow designs, named after a horse named Sparrow shortly aquired after Albrecht's death, rolled out with 'restoration' in the summer of 2009.  Sparrows, a band fronted by Albrecht, or Sparrow, become the theme song so to speak of 'restoration' as is evidenced on the tags of all of her jewelry.  A large swooping sparrow fills each tag, as it does on Chesney's arm in a tattoo done in memory of Albrecht.

The idea behind 'restoration' is the process of taking something old and creating a new form, turning it into something new.  An idea she also uses with her clients instead of the term recovery.  "Recovery is an over-used term.  It's been saturated to the point that I believe it has lost it's meaning, aside from saying 'do it my way'.  I want my clients to find their own pathway.  We work together as a team to find their sense of restoration".

Slim, Thick, and Chunky are the three lines of bracelet creations in 'restoration'.  Contrary to what you might think, the names do not reference wrist size.  Slim is made from recycled guitar strings, while Thick and Chunky are made from recycled bass strings.  Bass strings create that deep, resonating sound.  A bass instrument can basically stand alone without accompaniment.  It only takes one E bass string to create a Chunky bracelet.  The slightly smaller bass strings, A, D, and G, are used alone or in pairs to create a Thick bracelet.  Higher pitched guitar strings have to be used as a set to create a Slim bracelet.  Each string needs to support of the other to create the smooth sound one hears from a guitar.

"Part of the celebration behind 'restoration' is that the pieces aren't perfect.  The strings are used, damaged to some.  The tags are painted by hand with a stray paint drop or ink splotch here and there.  I want to impart through eye on the sparrow designs that perfection is not what is beautiful.  In fact, it's the uniqueness of each piece in it's imperfections that create the style so many people are flocking over."

And as to deciding on Slim, Thick, or Chunky, most people have a hard time.  Each piece is equally more stunning than one of a different name.  Slim isn't the best dressed in the room.  For some it's Chunky, or Thick.  "Sometimes it's important for us to take a term we have used to shame ourselves and display it with confidence," says Chesney.

Chesney has showcased her jewelry in many art bazaars to date, such as, Urban Bazaar, Fort Worth Arts Goggle, Gypsy Wagon's Saturday Local Artists Showcase, and Clubhouse Concerts Series.  Press writings have shown up on blogs such as Subservient Experiement, The Best of Texas, and the Dallas Observer's DC9.  An excellent video interview by Chelsea Callahan and Cindy Chaffin can be found on finelinelive.com.

Look for Chesney in the upcoming Lakewood Market, Jingle Bash, PS Styling's Rock n' Roll Fashion Show Benefitting the Fashionistas, and North Haven Gardens Home & Garden Show.  Additional press publications you can find Chesney in the upcoming months are the Dallas Advocate and DFW's Quick.

Chesney donated twenty-five percent of all sales to the Carter Albrecht Music Foundation and spends a considerable amount of time promoting bands from the local music scene.  That was something that Albrecht was passionate about himself.

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Restoration is a line of jewelry created from used guitar and bass strings. Wearing a piece from Restoration allows a musicians' voice the opportunity to be shared with those who support passion, creativity , and feel a connection with music.