Imagine your wedding day, where every detail—down to the charms hidden in your cake—carries a promise of good fortune. In New Orleans, this isn’t just a fantasy; it’s tradition.
New Orleans-based brand, Cristy Cali Jewelry, is breathing new life into the vintage custom of the cake pull, offering modern brides custom charm bracelet keepsakes as timeless as their love story.
With modern and intentional designs compatible with other popular bracelets, participants of the cake pull can wear their charms immediately after pulling them out of the cake.
So what is a cake pull exactly? The cherished tradition has been a part of weddings in New Orleans for generations. However, if you live outside the region, you might not have heard of it.
Cake pulls originated in Victorian times when brides would hide small charms in their wedding cakes. Each charm held a special meaning and was attached to a ribbon.
During the celebration, bridesmaids and close friends would pull the ribbons to discover the charms hidden inside. According to folklore, these tiny charms were even thought to predict the future!
Today, the tradition is still a cherished custom in New Orleans.
Owner and designer, Cristy Cali of Cristy Cali Jewelry, explains, “This delightful ritual adds an element of fun and fortune-telling to the wedding festivities, blending Southern hospitality with a touch of old-world elegance.”
Growing up in a rich blend of Guatemalan culture and the vibrant atmosphere of New Orleans, Cali was first introduced to the cake pull tradition by her mother who created and sold her own version of the charms in their family’s French Quarter jewelry shop.
Cali recalls, “Her designs were similar to others in the New Orleans area, often attached to a ribbon with little practical use. These charms would frequently end up forgotten in a drawer, losing their significance over time.”
As a designer, Cali enjoys creating unique designs that stand out.
This drive and her rebellious spirit led Cali to reimagine the wedding cake pull tradition. One that modern brides and bridesmaids could cherish for years to come.
My goal was to create something so special that these charms would never be forgotten or lost, ensuring they remain cherished mementos of an unforgettable celebration.
– Cristy Cali | Owner + Designer of Cristy Cali Jewelry
Her modern interpretation includes charms that screw onto contemporary slide-charm style bracelets. Each charm is artfully designed with care and embued with intentional meanings. The cake pull charms, for instance, are to immortalize and celebrate love.
Cali shares, “Each charm serves as a memento, a fortune-telling symbol, and a fond memory that participants carry with them as they forge their own paths in life.”
The charms are also compatible with major brands like Pandora, Chamilia, Persona, and more. This was an important feature for Cali, enhancing the charm’s lasting value and versatility.
“Many women already own these charm bracelets,” Cali explains. “So it made sense to create charms that could seamlessly integrate, adding a meaningful memory from their wedding day.”
The screw-on charms are a part of her Couture Charm Collection.
These special designs pay tribute to the spirit of New Orleans, which is not commonly offered by larger brands.
Cali explains, “Brides have the option for traditional satin ribbons to be attached to the Couture Charm, or for us to handmake gemstone or crystal bracelets, which make for an impressive wedding cake adornment. This allows the participants to wear their charms immediately after pulling them out.”
Whether you’re a bride-to-be or simply someone who values tradition with a modern twist, Cristy Cali Jewelry offers more than just accessories—they provide a way to keep the spirit of your celebration alive, long after your wedding day.
Keep scrolling for more insight into Cristy Cali’s journey into entrepreneurship and details on her latest collections.
- Blog Series: Behind the Brand
- Featured Company: Cristy Cali Jewelry
What was the first piece of jewelry you owned, or a family keepsake you still cherish today? How do you feel wearing it, and why is it important to you?
One of the most cherished pieces of jewelry I own is a gold-blue zircon ring that my grandmother gifted to me a few years ago. This ring originally belonged to her mother, making it a precious heirloom that connects me to my lineage. Wearing it brings me a profound sense of closeness to both my grandmother and my great-grandmother, whom I barely knew.
My grandmother is one of the most influential figures in my life. She’s shown me what unconditional love and wisdom look like. When I wear this ring, I do so with deep intention. It serves as a beautiful reminder of the values and love my grandmother has shared with me. It inspires me to live a life that reflects her essence, honoring the legacy of strong, loving women in my family.
Tell us about your Guatemalan culture and your upbringing in New Orleans. How did working for your family’s French Quarter jewelry business inspire your decision to start your own company?
Growing up in a rich blend of Guatemalan culture and the vibrant atmosphere of New Orleans was truly unique.
Prior to opening a jewelry store, my family had exported handmade Guatemalan goods, much of which adorned their French Quarter jewelry store. Their shop was a dynamic environment, embodying a retail business model centered around sourcing and selling artisan jewelry from around the world.
As a child, I accompanied my family on these global sourcing trips, where I had the privilege of spending time with talented artisans. These interactions were invaluable. I observed their meticulous craftsmanship and listened to their personal stories, which deeply resonated with me.
The design and creative aspects of the jewelry business captivated me the most. However, after a period, I felt constrained working within the family business. I yearned for greater creative freedom and the opportunity to make independent decisions and create something uniquely my own. Although taking over the family business would have been a continuation of their legacy, I realized that I could honor that legacy in a different way—by forging my own path and establishing my own brand.
The driving force behind my decision was the desire for freedom of expression. Through my creativity, intuition, and heartfelt passion, I knew I could only achieve this by embarking on my entrepreneurial journey. This path allows me to express myself fully and continue my family’s legacy, but in a way that is distinctly mine.
When did you decide to start your own company, Cristy Cali Jewelry? Was it a natural progression or was there a specific lightbulb moment?
The decision to start my own company, Cristy Cali Jewelry, was both a natural progression and a deeply personal choice. After working for my family’s jewelry business for seven years, I reached a point where I felt constrained and needed more creative freedom.
Being an only child, working together as a family also puts a significant strain on our relationships. I valued my parents more as family than as co-workers, and I believed that creating something of my own was a respectful and loving way to preserve the sacredness of our bond.
My journey in the family business began in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
At the age of 15, I was sent to live with friends in Miami while my parents stayed in New Orleans to focus on rebuilding our lives and helping the community recover from the devastation. Despite being in Miami, I felt a strong desire to contribute to the rebuilding process. Working for my family’s business was my way of being part of that effort.
However, as time went on, I realized that to truly express my creativity and honor my family’s legacy, I needed to embark on my own entrepreneurial path. This decision allowed me to create something unique while maintaining the integrity of our familial relationships.
Starting Cristy Cali Jewelry was a way to channel my passion and creativity into a brand that reflects my personal vision, all while staying connected to the values and experiences that shaped me.
– Cristy Cali | Owner + Designer of Cristy Cali Jewelry
Why should brides and brides-to-be shop Cristy Cali Jewelry? Share any details about your latest collections.
Connection. This is the simple yet profound reason brides and brides-to-be should choose Cristy Cali Jewelry. Those who resonate with my designs often feel a deep, energetic connection to the pieces, as each one is created with a specific and special intention.
Take the wedding cake pulls, for instance. The intention behind these charms is to immortalize a moment in time when they were part of a ceremony celebrating love. Each charm serves as a memento, a fortune-telling symbol, and a fond memory that participants carry with them as they forge their own paths in life.
What makes my designs unique is this heartfelt intention and the spirit of connection they embody. My latest and most unique collection, the Cosmic Collection, highlights the beauty and elegance of gemstones in a celestial theme that celebrates our connection to the universe.
For example, my El Sol Divino pendant features a breathtaking Ethiopian opal center stone adorned with rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and zircon gemstones. It is the shining star of the collection, no pun intended. Other designs showcase gorgeous teardrop-shaped, faceted gemstones such as labradorite, aquamarine, and moonstone, elegantly dangling from stars and moons.
Those who feel a deep connection to the universe will feel called to wear designs from the Cosmic Collection. This collection was created from a space of feeling our eternal connection to the universe, a sentiment that I deeply felt and wished to share through my jewelry.
In essence, Cristy Cali Jewelry is not just about adornment. It’s about creating and preserving cherished memories, expressing our deepest emotions, and celebrating connections within our community that will last a lifetime.
Are there any other exciting updates you would like to share?
In addition to designing jewelry, another passion of mine is writing. Recently, I launched a Substack where I share thoughtful, provocative, and insightful reflections from my 12+ years of entrepreneurship, building a luxury lifestyle e-commerce jewelry brand, and my ever-evolving journey of personal growth. My intention with this Substack is to provide deeper points of connection, offer a sense of companionship, and share valuable insights for challenging times.
I want to help people feel less alone in their journeys. My goal was to create a channel for the connection I wished I had when I started. I aim to serve as a light of hope, love, and inspiration not only during difficult times but also in celebrating our wins and successes, including redefining what success looks like.
Readers can subscribe for free at https://itscristycali.substack.com. If you choose to upgrade to a paid subscription, you will enjoy 10% off all your purchases at cristycali.com.
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