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One of my favorite things about the Hand Project has always been getting to know the people wearing the jewelry. Jen Cardaci brought so much personality to this shoot, from her incredible red curls and personal style to the way she made every stack feel completely her own. A Jersey Girl through and through, Jen grew up in Howell, NJ and found her way to the Asbury Park area through her love of hair, makeup and the creative community here.
When I first met Jen, I was struck by her gorgeous red curls, her warmth and her kind demeanor. She told me that she's deeply empathetic and always tries to see the best in people, something that came through immediately when we met. After changing career paths following the loss of her father, Jen followed her interest in makeup and eventually discovered an even bigger love of hair.
For our Hand Project shoot, Jen's curls were styled by Bianca of Lock & Shade in Asbury Park. When I asked Jen what she loved most about the area, her answer felt very familiar to me. It was the community, and the freedom to be exactly who you are while appreciating everyone else's individual style, too.
Jen was so natural in front of the camera, and I loved seeing which CMD pieces she gravitated toward. Our larger hoops were an easy fit for her style, along with plenty of stackable rings and mixed metals. She has the kind of personal style that doesn't feel overly considered or precious. She knows what she likes, puts it together and makes it hers.
That's a big part of what I wanted the Hand Project to capture in the first place. The same jewelry can look completely different from one person to the next because the person wearing it is what brings it to life. Jen is such a good example of that.
The Hand Project was never really about finding traditional jewelry models. I wanted to photograph real people with different styles, personalities, stories and ways of wearing CMD. Jen brought all of that to this shoot, along with a fantastic head of hair and a willingness to pile on plenty of jewelry.
Years later, these photos still make me smile. They're a reminder of why I love seeing CMD outside of my own hands and on yours. Thank you, Jen, for being part of the Hand Project and part of this chapter of CMD.
With love,
Colleen
© Colleen Mauer Designs. All rights reserved.
Published: May 6, 2022
Updated: August 21, 2026
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