About Us

You’re not here by accident.

If you’ve ever found yourself craving connection, meaning, or a reminder that what feels ordinary can still be deeply important - you’re in the right place.

Charliemadison Originals exists to honor the quieter parts of life. The moments that don’t always make headlines, but shape who we are. The relationships we carry with us. The people and communities that steady us through change.

This brand is for those who believe family isn’t defined by DNA, but by love, shared experience, and the bonds we build along the way.

Our jewelry is designed to be worn close - not just on your wrist, but in your heart - as a gentle reminder that you belong, your story matters, and even the smallest moments can hold meaning.

Everyday reminders that every day matters®

The Charliemadison Originals you see today was built alongside real life - through seasons of change, uncertainty, and the quiet work of choosing to keep going.

With just $200 in the bank and a shiny new Etsy shop, our founder, Wendy Hively, turned a creative hobby into a business alongside her full-time job as a scientist.

Naming the business after her daughters, Charlotte and Madison, was a nod to family.

Committing to donate 5% of sales to military nonprofits was non-negotiable - a way to honor her husband's 20-year Navy career and the three generations and four branches of military heroes in their family.

The leap from Etsy to launching the Charliemadison website was a big step - one that Wendy carried forward as a solopreneur for five more years. After completing graduate school, Madison chose to join the business and help shape the legacy behind it.

What began as a creative outlet and a way to give back has grown into a purpose-driven, mother-daughter business rooted in shared values and collective impact.

Over the years, we’ve listened to thousands of stories - from military spouses, women navigating transitions, and those searching for a sense of belonging - and those stories continue to shape everything we do.

What matters is community

What matters is showing up.

There is no single definition of what it means to be “enough.”

There is only the truth that your experience counts.

That belief sits at the heart of our brand.

We’re Wendy and Madison - a mother-daughter duo running Charliemadison Originals together, even while living and working in different places.

In 2025, the business entered a new chapter. Wendy retired from her 32-year science career and jumped at the opportunity to focus fully on Charliemadison Originals, and Madison moved to New York City (fulfilling the dream she’s had since she was 8 years old) - prompting a shift in roles, routines, and how we collaborate day-to-day.

What didn’t change was our shared commitment to this community and to building something meaningful together.

Running a business across locations has only reinforced what we’ve always believed: connection isn’t about proximity - it’s about intention.

We bring different strengths to the table, but we’re united by the same mission - to create jewelry that honors real life, real women, and the power of community.

Charliemadison is named after family - and shaped by community.

Named after our founder’s daughters, Charlotte and Madison, the brand honors the belief that life is lived in the everyday moments with those we call family - whether they’re the ones we’re born into or those we choose along the way.

Military families understand this deeply. With every move, every transition, and every season of service, we build new communities that become home. It’s the neighbors who show up during deployments, the friends who help you settle into a new duty station, and the people who step in when you’re far from home.

Those bonds - forged through shared experiences and mutual support - are the heart behind the jewelry we create.

Each piece is designed to keep you connected to the people, memories, and moments that matter most.