All About the Beautifully Simple Cape Cod Bracelet

So, you are heading for the beach this year for your vacation, and you want to have something nice to wear when you are out to dinner or shopping, or even playing in the surf that will not fall off or be easily lost – what could be more appropriate or more beautiful than a Cape Cod bracelet? Even for those times at home when you want to wear something beautifully simple and elegant on your wrist, wearing a Cape Cod bracelet will be just the thing you need.

What is a Cape Cod Bracelet?

The one true, authentic Cape Cop bracelet has been around for about 35 years or so, and is made exclusively by either Eden Hand Arts in Dennis, Massachusetts, or by Firesong Silverworks (formerly Eden Northwest), located in British Columbia, Canada.  Both are owned by John Carey and his wife Eve, or close family members.  The bracelet itself is very simple, consisting of a rigid sterling silver or gold wire with a gold or silver “screwball” clasp.   Each Eden Hand Arts Cape Cod bracelet is still handmade to the exact size needed by the wearer of the bracelet.  They are made in an oval shape, so that the bracelet is not able to turn around on the wrist, and the screwball stays on the top of it. Most wearers of an Eden Cape Cod bracelet put it on and don’t take it off – ever.

Cape Cod Inspired Bracelet from Amazon.com

Where Can You Get an Authentic Cape Cod Bracelet?

The original Cape Cod bracelet was designed by John Carey, a retired art teacher from Southborough, Massachusetts.  He and his wife opened their shop, Eden Hand Arts, so they could sell their handmade art and jewelry in 1968.  The bracelet was a hit with the local people, and with tourists who wandered in the shop looking for some locally done art.  It wasn’t until an actress from Dennis named Amy Jo Johnson wore her bracelet on the television show “Felicity” that “…all the troubles really began”, says Eve Carey.  Viewers began contacting the show’s producers asking where they could get the beautiful, simple bracelet worn by Johnson’s character on each show.  Once the word got out that her bracelet was a Cape Cod bracelet, (or the Dennis bracelet, as it is known by to the locals), people began flocking to the shop to buy one.  It is not unheard of to stand outside the shop for hours just waiting to get in to place an order for one. They do no advertising, and do not sell online, but still jewelry lovers flock to the shop on Cape Cod to place their orders.  Currently, ordering can be done online from Firesong.  The bracelets start at $98 for the all silver Cape Cod Dennis bracelet.  All gold bracelets are currently $158, and a double ball Dennis bracelet in silver with gold balls is $218.  Of course, these prices may go up, especially with the precious metal market’s current upward trend.

If you want an authentic Cape Cod bracelet, then you must get one from Eden Hand Arts or from Firesong Silverworks, which is run by one of John Carey’s granddaughters, Emily Carey, and her mother, Charlotte Carey.  There are plenty of imitations and Cape Cod “inspired” bracelets available, of course.  There are even Cape Cod necklaces and earrings available.  But if you truly want an original Cape Cod bracelet, look to Eden Hand Arts or Firesong Silverworks.

Happy Shopping!