Upcycled & Handcrafted Artisan Jewellery for Book Lovers
Timeless Themes of Youth & Beauty, Terror & Love, Aristocrats & Flirtations, Genteel Society & Cutting Wit, Repressed Emotions & Secrets
Interpreted in 5 unique handcrafted artisan necklaces for literature lovers
I am very lucky to live in Lichfield, Staffordshire: a beautiful, historic city in the heart of England. I am also very lucky to showcase my work at Emporium Art Gallery, a contemporary art & craft space that supports local & new talent. Early March this year will see Lichfield’s 10th Literary Festival, and Emporium are excited to be holding a dedicated exhibition, ‘The Art of Literature’ (28 Feb – 11 March 2017), and I am thrilled to have been asked to submit examples of my hand crafted jewellery.
The Brief: Create original and beautiful jewellery inspired by classic novels that would appeal to book lovers. What an absolute delight – 3 of my personal loves combined: Jewellery – Books – Vintage. So the first thing to choose; the novels! My imagination went wild with possibilities. But my natural inclination was for works with a definite historic Period, and which I could imagine characters wearing in each novel. They would have to be in the style of the period in which the story is set. I finally shortlisted five amazing books;
- The Great Gatzby – F. Scott Fitzgerald 1920s /RICH EAST COAST AMERICAN
- Draccula – Bram Stoker GOTHIC VICTORIAN
- Dangerous Liaisons – Pierre Choderlos de Laclos 18TH CENTURY ARISTOCRATIC FRANCE
- Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen REGENCY ENGLAND
- Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte EARLY VICTORIAN, NORTH ENGLAND
I started by listing words that the books suggested to me & would then inspire my artisan designs…. Then on to source the vintage piece that would be the focal point of each statement necklace. And here are the results;
The Great Gatsby
Elegant vintage paste set floral brooch repurposed as an assymetric addition to a long strand of Fresh Water Pearls & pale green Swarovski crystals – £100
~ The Beautiful People ~ Young ~ Hedonistic ~ Fun ~
Dracula
Extravagant Vintage Victorian gold tone mourning style brooch repurposed as a dramatic centrepiece, on a necklace of deathly black facets & just a hint of blood red – £140
~ Darkness ~ Sexuality ~ Terror ~ Love ~
Dangerous Liaisons
A pretty repurposed vintage floral basket hanging from a choker of Rose Quartz, Fresh Water Pearls & glass facets – £130
~ Flamboyant ~ Frivolous ~ Cruel ~ Deception ~
Pride and Prejudice
A small openwork brooch set with a simulated Turquoise cabochon repurposed as an eye-catching focal point, suspended on a necklace of Aquamarine beads, Rock Crystal & vintage crystals – £120
~ Manners ~ Respectability ~ Romance~ Delicacy ~
Jane Eyre
Antique shell cameo hanging as a lovely pendant on a necklace of Picture Jasper & Tigers Eye beads – £120
~ Chaste ~ Humble ~ Intense ~ Serious ~
The Art of Literature (28 Feb – 11 March 2017) – Emporium Art Gallery, Lichfield, Staffordshire
