Mother and daughter forge a permanent connection with their jewelry business

Everyone has experienced the moment, trying to get out the door, running late, and looking helplessly for something you can’t find. Where is your favorite bracelet, the one that reminds you of your mom because you purchased it together? Where is your lucky necklace?

In with the Permanent Jewelry trend: where metal chains are welded to your wrists, ankles, and more. The style has come to Quincy with the mother-daughter duo of Crista and Sydnei Cookson and their company, Foreverwear.

The two are extremely close and see each other every six weeks while Sydnei attends college at Florida Gulf Coast University. To feel connected, “we got tattoos, and then we got [permanent] jewelry, that was just our thing that bonded us together,” said Crista. “So then we got several more. Each time I’d visit her, we’d be out at the market, same thing, let’s get another one. Then, after a year and a half of doing that, we’re like, we just need to do this.”

Crista started her business in Quincy in January 2024, and a month later, Sydnei followed suit with pop-ups in Florida. Both women have jobs outside of this business, so they don’t plan to open a brick-and-mortar. Instead, they sell to customers at farmers markets and private events such as bridal showers and bachelorette parties.

The experience of picking out the jewelry is meaningful, creating a memorable experience akin to getting a tattoo with someone. “Our biggest thing that we love is… when generations come in and they get jewelry together,” said Crista. “They will always remember that time that they did it.”

Committing to something supposedly permanent can be daunting. Older clients often inquire about what happens in the event of surgery. The jewelry is dainty enough that with nail clippers, it comes right off, and Foreverwear is happy to offer free re-welds if necessary. “One day shouldn’t define the rest of your year,” said Crista.

The welding is safe and painless. The customer’s skin is protected with leather before a small, electronic needle-like tungsten zaps the open metal link, fusing it together. Just like that, the customer has a new permanent bracelet.

Recently, Crista and Sydnei won an online giveaway for a free ticket to a Permanent Jewelry expo in San Antonio. They were able to take classes, purchase material, and meet other jewelers. Now, they’ve come with new skills and enthusiasm.

Foreverwear tries to stand out with their reasonable prices and personal customer care. While many permanent jewelers price by the inch of chain, Foreverwear has flat rates.

“We didn’t want to do it by the inch, because I don’t want two girls to come in and one be a little bitty tiny girl and one be a bigger girl, and one spends $50 and one has to spend $75,” said Crista. “To me, it’s a bonding experience, and you don’t want there to be a differential in that.” She also mentioned how personal the sessions can get. “I’ve cried with people, they’re like, oh, I’m getting this because my mom just passed away… you know, that’s a hug automatically.”

While Crista enjoys the side-hustle, Sydnei hopes to support herself as an entrepreneur after she graduates.

But after all, the best part of the business is the time they get to spend together.

“Even though she’s 1200 miles away… [the business is] something we share. We’ll have that forever. If the business goes under tomorrow, we’re still always going to have this last year and a half of memories and time… I wouldn’t change for the world.”

Find Foreverwear at www.foreverwear1.com.