Meet Waxing Poetic
Sponsored by Waxing Poetic
Jewelry that celebrates life’s journey
The Seal that Made the Deal
Sisters Patti Pagliei-Simpson and Lizanne Pagliei-Hales are in the business of making meaningful jewelry and honoring memories. Waxing Poetic was born with Patti’s “aha” moment: she wanted to create simple yet iconic jewelry designed to represent more than forms. In 2001 she made her first wax seal insignias—a design inspired by the wax stamps used to seal letters and documents. Seals serve as a personal identifier, a unique signature that holds intention and communicates. This age-old idea infuses old-world charm into modern-day adornment, mindfully-made talismans that celebrate life's journey.
In 2007, Patti joined forces with her marketing-savvy sister, Lizanne, to grow the Santa Barbara-based brand. Today, they offer an extensive collection of customizable designs made with sustainable materials at an accessible price point.
A Poetic Process
Each Waxing Poetic piece is artist-designed and begins with a simple sketch, drawing, or conversation. Once an idea is realized, they send the designs to their production partners in Bali.
Indonesia is home to a long-standing tradition of metalsmithing, where silversmithing is a valued trade, and many of the artisans come from families with generations of experience. Each Waxing Poetic design requires a significant level of detail work and skill. Many designs are fabricated using old hand-carved wax techniques and cast into their final form using artisan metals, primarily sterling silver and brass.
Their partners in Bali are a part of the Waxing Poetic family. They maintain a 20-year relationship with this production team that is also women-owned and operated. Maintaining safe and fair working conditions that benefit Indonesian communities is essential to Waxing Poetic’s philosophy, as is participating in ethical, sustainable, and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. They utilize recycled silver in up to 50% of their materials and recycle the wax and plaster used in casting.
By Women, For Women
Supporting women is a top priority for Patti and Lizanne. Jewelry can empower, providing people with wearable pieces that express and celebrate themselves and others in their life. Waxing Poetic has partnered with celebrities and authors such as Cheryl Strayed, Elizabeth Gilbert, Glennon Doyle, and Patti Smith on charity collaborations that primarily benefit female-centric charities. They pride themselves on working with women working to improve the world.
Custom Gifts for Meaningful Giving
A gift from mother to daughter. Husband to husband. Cancer survivors. Bridal parties. Graduates. Maybe something to treat yourself. Customized Waxing Poetic pieces are the perfect way to commemorate a special occasion or person. With a large selection of hand-soldered-to-order pieces such as cuff bracelets, pendants, and rings, it’s easy (and fun) to create a personalized gift for the people who matter most.
Meet the Shop
Patti and her husband John opened the Waxing Poetic flagship store in 2017. It features local brands, fashion, art, and gifts in the Santa Barbara Funk Zone district. It also serves as a home for the Waxing Poetic experience, where customers can mix and match pieces from the collection. You can also shop online at Waxing Poetic.
Editor: Samantha Durbin
Wordsmith: Sam Van deWalle
Sponsored by Waxing Poetic
Every item featured is personally selected by our writers and editors (read: we're totally into it). Please know that when you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission (read: we get to keep doing what we love).
