If Not a Cross, Then What? | Wearable Expressions of Faith

If not a cross, then what? Is it possible to express our faith in other ways beyond the symbol of the cross? And can something as personal as jewelry still carry truth in a way that feels honest, grounded, and lived-in?

These are the questions that have shaped my work.

My brand has always been rooted in intention. “Wearable expressions of faith” is not just a phrase—it reflects the heart behind my hand sculpted jewelry. Each piece begins in prayer and is slowly formed by hand using metal clay, allowing meaning and material to come together in a physical form.

To be clear, I believe the cross is an essential and central symbol of our faith. My work is not intended to move away from that, or to encourage hesitation in wearing it boldly and confidently. Rather, it is about expanding what can be part of your personal expression of belief—offering additional pieces that complement, support, and live alongside that foundation.

My hope is to create jewelry that feels meaningful in different ways—some pieces that speak directly to the cross, and others that express faith through symbolism, texture, and form—each one grounded in intention and reverence.

Where it all began…

This brand began during my time studying jewelry design in Florence, Italy at Lorenzo de’ Medici. In my final semester, I created my first large body of faith-inspired work: AND AROUND THE THRONE COLLECTION— inspired by Revelation 4&5 is shaped by Scripture, symbolism, and the visual language of Christian belief.

That season shaped everything that came after;

I began to understand jewelry not only as adornment, but as a way to carry meaning physically—something that could sit close to the body and serve as a quiet reminder of truth, hope, and faith in everyday life.

From there, Madeline Elizabeth Jewelry became rooted in hand sculpted work, using metal clay, allowing each piece to be formed slowly, intentionally, and entirely by hand.

Jewelry That Opens Conversation

One of the most meaningful parts of my work has been witnessing how jewelry can open organic faith filled conversation.

Sometimes a simple cross necklace can spark immediate recognition—a shared understanding between believers. Unfortunately, other times, it can create distance or hesitation in those who hold preconceived ideas about our faith. Both responses have taught me something important: not every expression of faith is received the same way, and not every moment calls for the same visual language.

That is part of why my work includes both:

• Hand sculpted crosses — rooted in the central symbol of the Christian faith. Honest, direct, and anchored in the truth of Christ’s sacrifice, resurrection, and promised return.

• Symbolic and hand sculpted collections — pieces that express faith in a quieter, more organic way. These are often what open unexpected conversations, where someone asks what a piece means, why it was created, or what inspired it.

Sharing Faith in an Organic Way

I’ve found that jewelry can create space for connection in a way that feels natural.

A question about a design. A comment on meaning. A moment of curiosity.

These small interactions often become opportunities to share what I believe—not in a forced or performative way, but in genuine conversation about hope, truth, and the love of Christ.

My hope has always been that the work doesn’t just represent belief, but invites reflection. That it allows space for dialogue. That it quietly points back to something greater than itself.

Inspired by “Around the Throne”

One of my earliest faith-inspired collections, Around the Throne, was created during my final semester in Florence.

This collection explored imagery rooted in Scripture—symbolism of worship, reverence, and the eternal perspective found in Revelation. It became a foundational body of work that shaped how I continue to design today.

It reminded me that creation itself can reflect worship, and that even physical objects can carry echoes of something sacred when made with intention.

Hand Sculpted Meaning

Today, every piece in my jewelry collections continues to be hand sculpted using metal clay—formed slowly, refined carefully, and transformed through fire into sterling silver or golden bronze.

This process mirrors what I hope the work represents: something formed gently, shaped with care, and made to last.

Not perfect. Not mass-produced. But intentional.

More Than Jewelry

At its core, this work is not just about jewelry.

It is about connection—to meaning, to memory, and ultimately to faith.

Jewelry, for me, is a way of holding belief in physical form. A reminder worn daily. A conversation starter. A quiet expression of what matters most.

And above all, it is a way of sharing that hope can be carried with you—sometimes visibly, sometimes quietly, but always intentionally.