Fit Finds: Workout Bling
(Above) Owner Sarah Wilson is a nationally-ranked endurance athlete based in Miami who designs and creates handmade athletic jewelry for men and women. You can even “build your own” by combining any of the 60 charms—everything from tires to female weightlifters to inspirational words—and all are made in the USA.
Abercrombie Gems
AFM has a soft spot for this beautiful jewelry; we gave these necklaces as awards to the 2012 and 2013 AFM FITTEST overall winners.
Owner A.J. Rosenberg created a kettlebell necklace for his wife Liz, who is a CrossFit competitor, as a gift. So many people liked it that he now offers the necklace in stock and as a custom order at this family-owned establishment on Bee Caves Road. The pieces shown here ($350) are sterling silver and a combination of sterling silver and black rhodium; other options include rose gold, white gold, and a variety of chains. “These are high-end pieces,” said Rosenberg. “The model was hand sculptured, and the pavé stones are hand set.”
Ivy League Charms
prices vary by material (sterling or 14k gold)
Put together your own personalized necklace with red, black, or brown cording cut to length. Then, add sports charms (soccer, basketball, football, baseball, runner’s shoe), engravable disc charms, and numbers to symbolize PRs, jersey numbers, wins—you name it. Spacer beads help create the right look. And, being James Avery, there are any number of other charms to choose from without a fitness focus.
Silver Linings Jewelry (Marathon Charms and Sports Jewelry)
Owner Laura Garrett has been a marathon expo feature for years, and chances are, the female dedicated marathoner in Austin owns
one of her bracelets, pins, or necklaces. Garrett ran her first marathon in 2000, and a friend suggested commemorating the event with a charm bracelet. She was hooked; Garrett created Marathon Charms, and has since gone on to complete marathons in all 50 states and on each of the seven continents…twice. Each major marathon has a charm symbol (for many runners, this may dictate which event to choose), and bracelets, like the one shown, become a wearable keepsake of special events. Garrett’s booth can be found at race expos all over Texas and the United States; check the website for schedule.
Runners’ ring, $79
Two mothers from Ft. Worth, one with an interest in having a custom-made ring stamped with her sons’ names on a banded ring and the other an experienced jewelry designer, formed Nelle & Lizzy in 2004. In addition to mother’s jewelry, the personalized, hand stamped items include the Runners’ Collection, designed to commemorate and inspire fitness achievements. In addition to the ring (which can be single, double, or triple banded) are bangle bracelets and charm necklaces.
Runner’s necklace, $59
Original pieces of handmade jewelry from Peggy Li Creations have been seen on a variety of TV shows, including American Idol, The Vampire Diaries, and Hart of Dixie. The runner’s necklace comes in a variety of lengths and distance tag, which is hand stamped, and a variety of race lengths can be selected; the necklace can also be ordered with just the shoe, dropping the price slightly.
Stainless steel heart bracelet with dumbbell, $100
For the past 17 years, this Texas-based company located in Beaumont has been producing fitness- and military-themed “jewelry with power” that forges a spiritual connection. Founder John Kennedy Vaughan has sent more than two million Shields of Strength to U.S. service men and women all over the world, often at his own expense. Fitness items include scripture etched on a variety of weight equipment, and sports items featured cover everything from footballs to rodeo.
Yoga bracelet, $245
Bev Feldman fell in love with creating chainmaille jewelry and started out with an Etsy shop in 2011; she opened her online store in 
2013. She works with clients to create handmade fitness-related jewelry, such as a commemorative Ironman bracelet (allow 3–4 weeks for custom pieces to be created). Twenty percent of each fitness-focused bracelet sale goes to a nonprofit organization, a practice inspired by the desire to donate to One Fund Boston.
