Joan is a dear family friend. Her daughter is one of my best mates and I practically grew up in Joan's house. She has always been a keen supporter of my jewellery business, commissioning various pieces over the years. This is the story of our biggest project to date, told in Joan's own words.
“I have known Jo for a very, very long time. We first met many moons ago when she came to my daughter's birthday, they were in the same class at primary school. Our families have remained friends, in fact I think that Jo still has a donkey eye seed she borrowed from us for one of her school projects. Years later, as Jo embarked on her jewellery studies, I would occasionally ask her to mend or re-string pieces of my special jewellery. Jo was always obliging, and I remain very appreciative of her help, especially as she was embarking on her career at the time. She always found time for me. Not long after Jo’s graduation my family commissioned her to make me a piece of jewellery - a beautiful fine gold and diamond bead chain.. This was a special present to mark a very significant birthday. I was blown over when I received it. It was - and still is so ‘me’, I smile whenever I wear it.
Anyway, back to my repurposing story. I’ve gathered quite a few pieces of gold jewellery over the years, with some going as far back as my teenage years. Loved and cherished but no longer being worn, some were broken but most were intact, silently resting in pouches, boxes and drawers. During the pandemic I came across a few of these dormant pouches and had a light bulb moment. Why not contact Jo and ask her what I could do with this unworn jewellery. I must admit at the time I wasn’t aware of all the fantastic and beautiful re-purposing work that Jo had been doing.
Joans unworn gold pieces
Excited, I fired off an email to Jo: ‘Hello Jo, I would like you to make me a chain - yes, another one, ha! A chunky one this time. When can I call you?’ Later I learnt from Jo that she had not made many chains before other than delicate diamonds ones. However, she would welcome the project to create something new. So, we were off.
The ’new piece of jewellery’ project evolved over a period of 4 years. After the research period I took my stash of preloved pieces to Jo’s studio for her to assess. Soon after that we commenced a back and forth email thread, with Jo showing me designs of the linking hex components she proposed to use.
A silver test piece for the necklace - working out scale and graduation...
From time to time the project would come to a standstill due to some sort of circumstances either on my side or Jo’s side but persevere we did. All the while I was aware that Jo was thinking and working behind the scenes on my ‘new piece of jewellery’.
Drawings of all the necklace parts and how they would be cast alongside the pieces we repurposed
Then we would recommence I would see a video of the test pieces in silver where I could gauge the size, drop and fluidity of the emerging piece of jewellery. Before the design was cast in gold I was invited to the studio for a fitting and to check the final details. I was extremely happy with the overall piece and was now anxiously waiting to see the final product. Soon after I received a PDF drawing of the proposed necklace in gold in the post. It was breathtaking.
Some of the raw gold casts freshly back from the casters
Jo's view at the bench
The process of working with Jo was incredibly easy and relaxed. I enjoyed the collaborative nature of the project, she kept me well informed throughout, with ample opportunities to discuss, consider and adjust the design whenever necessary. I am absolutely over the moon with my finished necklace. It has a serious wow factor. With just the right amount of sparkle, elegance and movement, draping so gracefully on my neck when I put it on.
Joan collecting her new necklace from the studio
I love it deeply because of its significance and the comfort it brings me whenever I wear it. It symbolises both my past and my present, reminding me of so many important people in my life who love and care for me. It’s part of my heritage, with many of the gold pieces coming from Trinidad. Some of the pieces were given to me from my dear mother, from when I was a teenager, others from cherished friends, and others from my husband and my children. It’s an heirloom, and will be passed on to my daughter one day.
I adore wearing it, but even looking or thinking about it evokes such warm, joyful memories. It will always be special to me, and I feel very fortunate to have had it designed and made by Jo. Thank you Jo, for agreeing to take on this project to make me such a timeless and meaningful piece of jewellery. Absolutely stunning.”
Thank you Joan for setting me the perfect challenge and for being so patient while I worked it out. As with many of our projects, this sparked ideas for various new pieces: I developed my range of smaller Chaos Hex Link necklaces as a result, plus the silver sample designs I created for the project were hugely popular in my recent Special Silver Seasonal Drop!