It started with a storm.
The rain had come hard that winter, and in its wake, the streets of Sacramento were littered with broken branches, fallen trees, and the heavy scent of wet earth.
I remember walking through my neighborhood, the air still and heavy, and seeing a large tree — once towering and proud — now lying across a sidewalk, its roots exposed to the sky.
Most people passed by without a second glance.
But I stopped.
I stood there for a long time, hands in my pockets, feeling the pull of it — the story it held, the life it had lived, and the quiet dignity it still carried even in its fallen state.
That was the moment Wabi Roots truly began.
I didn't start out wanting to make jewelry.
I only knew I needed to honor this wood — to give it a second life, a second voice.
Maybe it’s because I've always been drawn to nature. Growing up in Sacramento — the "City of Trees" — and later living in Makaha, Hawaii, I was shaped by the forests, the beaches, the mountains. Nature was never just scenery; it was a companion, a teacher.
Later, as I learned traditional Japanese woodworking techniques, I discovered a philosophy that matched what I had always felt but never had words for:
Wabi-sabi — the beauty of imperfection, the grace of natural cycles, the quiet reverence for things worn and weathered.
I learned that in Japan, trees are seen not as objects but as living beings, imbued with kami — spirit.
Wood is not just wood.
It is memory. It is spirit. It is life, continuing.
So I began gathering fallen wood after storms.
I learned to mill it, dry it, carve it with my own hands.
I mainly chose hand tools over machines because they forced me to slow down — to listen, to learn the language of each piece.
Why the Name "Wabi Roots"?
Wabi Roots came naturally.
Wabi honors imperfection, simplicity, and quiet beauty.
Roots remind us of where we come from — our beginnings, our stories, our resilience.
The logo — a brushstroke circle wrapped around tree rings — symbolizes the cycles of life, growth, and return.
The "Why"
At Wabi Roots, every pendant and ring is carved from salvaged wood — pieces once discarded or forgotten.
But nothing in nature is ever truly lost.
Each creation carries a story: of survival, of transformation, of honoring what remains.
In a world obsessed with newness and perfection, Wabi Roots is a whisper to slow down, to cherish what is real, what has lived, what has endured.
The Vision Ahead
Wabi Roots is not meant to be a mass brand.
It is a small, deliberate movement toward reconnecting with nature, craft, and meaning.
We stand for:
Eco-conscious creation — using reclaimed wood and mindful processes
Slow Craft — taking the time to honor every detail
Connection — between you, your story, and the spirit of the earth
Each piece is not just worn.
It is carried — as a reminder of beauty, resilience, and belonging.
A Thank You
If you're reading this, know that you're part of the beginning.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for honoring the old stories, the fallen trees, the quiet roots.
More stories are waiting — in the grain of the wood, and maybe even within you. 🌿
