At Anna Carolina, every piece of jewellery has a story, and today I want to share the special story behind our bestseller, Bracelet Isabel. This bracelet means so much more to me than just a beautiful piece of jewellery – it’s a symbol of my long-lasting friendship with my best friend, Isabel
How We Met
Isabel and I met when we were just 13 years old. We were both passionate about competitive figure skating and trained together every day. Figure skating wasn’t just a sport for us – it was our whole world. The thrill of mastering new moves, winning competitions, and sharing this passion with each other as best friends made it even more special. We pushed each other to improve, learned from one another, and celebrated every small victory together.
But it wasn’t just figure skating that bonded us. Isabel and I shared many “firsts.” We did our makeup together for the first time, attempted to film our first YouTube video (even if it didn’t quite make the cut!), and even tried a new hobby: ballet. We both adored the colour pink and had the same goals and dreams in life. Like many young girls, we would spend our sleepovers fantasizing about our dream weddings, searching for the perfect wedding dresses online, and designing our ideal engagement rings – always in pink, of course.
When Isabel Moved away
Our friendship was perfect, but two years after we met, Isabel’s father’s job took her far away from me. While we had met in Stuttgart, where Anna Carolina would later be founded, Isabel moved all the way to California. It felt like one moment we were laughing and baking strawberry muffins together, and the next, we were separated by thousands of kilometres. It was hard to believe.
We had always wanted friendship bracelets to keep us connected, but there was one small issue: Isabel was a silver girl, and I was a gold girly. We could never agree on a bracelet to get. And when she moved away, things happened so quickly that we didn’t get a chance to decide.
The First Version of Bracelet Isabel
Years before I even started my jewellery brand, I began designing my own pieces. One day during a FaceTime call with Isabel, I showed her my designs, including one bracelet I thought could be the perfect friendship bracelet for us. Before I even had the chance to explain, Isabel said, “This would make a great friendship bracelet!” I couldn’t believe it – we were on the same page, as always.
Right after the call, I contacted a jeweller and asked him to custom-make two bracelets for us: one in silver and one in gold. This was the first version of what would later become the Bracelet Isabel. When the bracelets were ready, I fell in love with mine instantly. A year after Isabel moved, I visited her in California and brought her the bracelet. Since that day, we’ve both worn our matching bracelets nearly every day.
A Symbol of Unbreakable Friendship
For me, the Bracelet Isabel is a symbol of our unbreakable bond. No matter how far apart we are, distance can’t break the connection we share. Every time I look at my bracelet, I’m reminded of our friendship and all the memories we’ve created together.
Every time we FaceTime, Isabel and I both wear our bracelets, and we always hold them up to the camera as a reminder of the connection we still have, despite the distance. Friendship bracelets are truly special, and they’re a beautiful way to keep that bond alive, even when you’re miles apart. I wear mine 24/7 – I only take it off when I’m in the shower or at the gym.
The Ironic Twist
Here’s something funny: I’ve recently become more of a silver girly, while Isabel has switched to gold jewellery. So, next time we see each other, we’re planning to swap our bracelets! It’s moments like these that remind me just how much we’ve grown together, even though we’ve been apart for so long.
Why I Named the Bracelet After Isabel
When I launched my jewellery brand, I knew I had to include the Bracelet Isabel. It wasn’t just any bracelet – it was a symbol of the friendship that has meant so much to me over the years. Naming the bracelet after Isabel was the only fitting choice. Now, everyone can experience the magic of a friendship bracelet like ours, whether you see your best friend every day or live on opposite sides of the world.
The Magic of Girl Friendships
Girl friendships are truly special, and they’re something we should hold onto forever. The Bracelet Isabel reminds me of how precious these friendships are, and I hope it brings the same joy and connection to you and your best friend.