Objects are not simply put together materials. Everything made by man has its origin in a particular time or place and because objects are, by definition, without life, they remain forever in their original state, except when wear and tear take their toll. Objects encapsulate time and space frozen into physical form and hold all human emotions both personal and cultural, within that form.
For this reason, most of us are fascinated by objects and they have long been used as part of human decoration and keepsake or memorial jewellery.
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Let me give you an example of one of my most precious objects.
Tiny frog – my mother
The other day my eighty-five-year-old mother gave me a tiny carved wooden frog. It had been given to her by my grandmother, her mother, when she was a girl. For many years she’d kept it safe in her jewellery box, and then she gave it to me.
Such a little thing, so humble, yet she’d treasured it for so long.
I took it on a photoshoot and lost it.
I was beside myself. How could I lose something so precious that had been taken such good care of for so long? I turned my house upside down, retraced my footsteps obsessively, I was in despair. I’d almost lost hope when I discovered that during the shoot I’d carefully wrapped the little frog and slipped him into a pocket in my bag. He was safe.
This tiny amphibian always makes me think of my mum. She’s someone the thought of whom brings tears to my eyes. In a good way.
Objects as symbols
Objects aren’t just time capsules, they’re symbols, they represent what it is to be human; love, valour, comradeship, triumph, faith, humour, playfulness, the ancient need to express ourselves through display. When we carry, or wear, objects from the past, we also carry the fundamentals of what it is to be human.
Brass buttons – my father
My father, who is now eighty seven, gave me a box of brass buttons. He also gave me his RAF pilot’s wings, the ones that were sewn onto his service uniform. They have meant so much to him and he has looked after them for over sixty years.
Of course, being me, I need to make them into something to wear, something with which my family can honour what was important to him. I’m proud of his life-long hard work, his self-discipline, his tenacity, his resilience. These are qualities he has instilled in his own children, and they help us navigate our own lives. I’ve had a ring made for myself and will make others for my two children and my niece and nephew.
I’ll keep the wings for myself. I will make them into a brooch and wear it with huge pride.
If you have something precious you’d like to have turned into jewellery, as a gift for someone, or just for yourself, please get in contact. I can’t wait to talk about it with you.