Materials Matter

It has been on my mind recently that a gift from my dad began my journey in jewelry making. He gave me a collection of iron wire. He told me it was vintage wire that was used to mend barbed wire fences. I was also given a ball peen hammer and anvil he made in school. My dad was born in 1931. It was in the 1940's that he must have made these things. The wire is durable, tough and takes strength to manipulate. I use it when it is appropriate for my jewelry pieces. It's an empowering feeling to work with the barbed wire and know it is intended to be beautiful. It's even more empowering to wear it. The juxtaposition of strong and beautiful is meaningful to me. I used it in the piece above. The wire is coiled to make a type of "bead".

The necklace above also has hand made ceramic beads. Ceramics are one of the oldest art forms that we know. Chinese pottery first appeared in 18,000 BCE, according to The American Ceramic Society. I made the ceramic beads myself; they are much more current than the ancient Chinese ceramics. The carved bone beads, used as trade beads from Africa, also make up this particular necklace. I found the trade beads at a Mic-O-Say Trading Post. I found the vintage Czech pearls from a jewelry shop that was going out of business. The owner had them from the 1950's in her own collection and chose to let them go. Lucky me!

Materials matter in hand made jewelry. Materials often have a story. The process of making it also matters, but that is for another blog post.

My training is that of an art therapist. I like to engage others in art making and viewing. I would ask you to take a look at your own jewelry and consider its story. What is the story of the materials that make up the piece? How does your jewelry connect with you? What does it say about you? Did it belong to someone dear? Was it a thrift store find? Did you make it? Is it your "style"? What is your "style"?

You can always leave a comment and share your thoughts. I'd love to hear.

Thank you for "listening" to my story.

Peace,

Janice

Ceramic, African Trade Beads and Vintage Pearl Necklace

Buy Now