There's something magical about Closer to the Sun that goes beyond the music. Every December, fans gather on those Mexican beaches carrying little handmade gifts called "cersies" to share with strangers who quickly become friends. I'd been part of this tradition for years, usually bringing the typical stickers or bottle openers.

But three years ago, I decided to try something different. I spent weeks in my Charleston studio crafting epoxy earrings, not really knowing what to expect. When I handed out those first pairs under the festival lights, watching people's faces light up, something clicked. These weren't just accessories. They were tiny pieces of art that captured the moment.

The following year, I got bold. Since Slightly Stoopid was hosting, I made earrings featuring their iconic smoking skull logo. The response blew me away. All weekend long, people stopped me asking where they could get a pair. Even months later, I was getting messages from friends who'd met someone wearing them at a completely different show.

That's when I knew I had to take this seriously.

I started reaching out to bands, beginning with the ones whose music had soundtracked my life: The Movement, Slightly Stoopid, Dirty Heads. My hands were literally shaking when I sent that first email to The Movement. When they said yes, I nearly cried. It felt like validation that this crazy idea might actually work.

Each conversation with artists taught me something new. Dirty Heads loved the concept but had merch contract restrictions, so we found a workaround for in-person sales. Slightly Stoopid was interested but juggling a massive tour schedule. Some bands never responded, others politely declined. I learned that timing is everything, and "no" doesn't mean "never."

What surprised me most was discovering the gap I was filling. At every show, I'd watch women scanning merch tables, hoping for something beyond the usual T-shirt options. They wanted pieces that felt personal, that they could wear to work on Monday and still feel connected to Saturday night's magic.

That's what drives me now. Every piece I create in my Charleston studio carries that same energy from those beach exchanges. When someone puts on a pair of Wando earrings, they're not just wearing jewelry. They're carrying a piece of the music, the memory, the moment.

It's become bigger than I ever imagined. Working with artists like Aaron Wolf, Cariies, and Kyle Smith has shown me how these partnerships can genuinely support musicians. Whether it's helping fund their next tour or contributing to causes they care about, every sale creates a ripple effect that goes way beyond my little studio.

Some days I still can't believe this is my life. I'm sitting here in Charleston, crafting pieces that will travel to festivals across the country, connecting fans to the music they love in a completely new way. It started with a handful of earrings on a Mexican beach, and now it's something that brings artists and fans together through handmade art.

Wando Creative Works isn't just a business. It's become my love letter to the music community that shaped me, one carefully crafted piece at a time.