I have been working on a series of one of a kind jewellery pieces over the past ten years, which I call my “Under Glass" series. Rather than relying solely on the use of traditional jewellery materials these pieces utilize layers of natural objects, text and images to create a collage like effect. Moth and dragonfly wings, bones, feathers and skeletal leaves are collected on walks in the woods surrounding my home. Vintage books, prayer cards and old photos are hunted at flea markets and thrift stores and become more precious than gems. Each piece is comprised of three or more layers of sterling silver, copper, acrylic and hand carved, cast elements. Each layers is hand cut with a jeweller’s saw, filed to fit and held together with tiny rivets or bolts. Protected by their layers of metal and acrylic these fragile, delicate objects become fragments of a story, preserved like specimens under glass.
Jewellery is a very personal art form; unlike other media it does not stay in ones home where only the invited may view it. A piece of jewellery goes with the wearer; it can be a bold statement of personal beliefs and far more than a simple accessory or decorative element. I am interested in exploring the power the wearer may attribute to a piece of jewellery and the idea of creating objects of ritual is fascinating to me. I love the concept of the modern day talisman. My objective goes beyond simply adorning the body. With each piece I try to create a narrative, to play upon the ability of jewellery to stimulate discussion and to challenge the notion of what is precious.