Black and Light
This week I have been working with Vetch leaves to create a new botanic jewellery collection. I have been using black and white. This has the maximum contrast so it emphasises line, pattern and shape as the edges of things become dominant and the outlines of the foliage are the main focus of each piece of contemporary jewellery in this collection.
Someone on the news talked about black and white thinking. This sparked my imagination. The symbolism of black and white is interesting: White is pure light and black is the absence of light, life and death, good and bad, the struggle between opposites which seemed an allegory for our times. The Vetch plant in my design is growing into the dark and the tendrils are putting out feelers to climb out of the black. I see it as a hopeful image.
Vetch has vastly different shaped leaves at different stages of growth. The fine baby leaves can have almost striped feel which are formed on the curved arc of the stem. This creates a feel of direction and movement.
At the end of each stem the stem becomes a twisting curling tendril. The plant uses this tendril to hold on and climb. The swirls and twists are so beautiful. Very delicate and tentative and yet strong and assertive.
The final piece in the collection is a statement chain. The construction of the necklaces is inspired by Victorian Jet Necklaces. They are constructed using circular black links and larger sections. They come in 3 lengths so you can decide on your look, a smart neckline chain or a long dramatic chain. Each link has stunning unique leaves and tendrils.
This is a really striking Perspex Jewellery Collection that will go with everything and made sustainably from Recycled Plastic.
Silver Leaf Earrings
I have been making myself a collection of these glam earrings in different colours. One to go with every outfit, several of my friends and family have asked me for pairs as a gift for Christmas. I think we all need a bit of sparkle and glamour in these gloomy times. I think it is fun to dress up rather than going for the Onesie/PJ look ad I think it cheers up my friends and family too!
These contemporary botanic earrings are hand made individually out of recycled plastic. Using a skeleton leaf I create a surface relief. The colour is applied using the leaf as a stencil. The earring is domed and silver leaf is applied to the back. Which then has a protective layer of resin.
Burgundy Cow-Parsley Cuff
This is the last of my large cow-parsley flowers from the Summer. I have two smaller flowers left now. I gave it a good send off, it was sent to a customer in Mexico. I was pleased with all the detail on this contemporary cuff bracelet.
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Burgundy and Pink Vetch leaf Cuff
This floral cuff bracelet is made using Vetch leaves. Vetch is a pretty wild-flower that grows all over the countryside and is most often spotted in meadows, hedgerows and farmland. But I found it growing on an Urban walk, on some waste ground in the center of St Paul's Bristol. I was inspired by the structure of the leaves and how they grow out from the central stem. The leaves have a sense of movement almost like stripes.I piled them up in layers of different tones, to create an illusion of depth . so that also works with the tomes to create a feel of vitality and depth. almost like a hedgerow or a bush.
A second source of inspiration, for this collection of my botanic contemporary jewellery, was a trip to Westenbrit Arboretum on a blowy day in late October. The colours of the leaves were stunning, reds. Pinks and soft peaches, a massive inspiration which motivated me to create this Burgundy and Peach Vetch Recycled Plastic cuff. I wanted to creat colours that harmonized like the leaves did.
I collect the vetch leaves and use them to create the design. No two leaves are the same so each one is unique and individually handmade. An expression of Nature. It is a piece of wearable art. It would make a beautiful and unusual gift.
New Regency contemporary jewellery Collection- Recycled Plastic
During this time of Change I thought creating a contemporary jewellery design with a sense of history would be comforting. I hope that looking back to traditional design would give the wearer a feeling of continuity and stability when everything is up in the air.
My inspiration for this jewellery collection, came from Wallpaper I saw when visiting Brighton Pavilion. The original wallpapers was created at a time of opening up of trade with China and exposure to Chinese culture. In the 17th and 18th Century new imposts of artefacts from china such as Lacquer, Porcelain, silks and wallpaper were on sale in London. The hand painted wallpapers and 'Chinoiseries' (Use of Chinese motifs and Techniques ) decorative styles they inspires were the height of fashion for a century or more. Most of the Stately homes of Europe had at least one room decorated with Chinese wallpaper. By the end of the 18th century even ordinary sized houses went for this style too!
I have always loved this style too. I enjoy the beautiful hand painted lines of the Chinese style. They are beautifully drawn and have a feel of vitality and an innocent genuine feel. Which I find magical.
To create Recycled Perspex jewellery collection, I have used Madder leaves and tiny hydrangea flowers to create the contemporary jewellery collection. The technique starts with a series of separate dye processes I apply the colours and emboss the surface relief directly from the plants onto the cuffs, earrings and necklaces. So each piece is slightly different from all others. I find working with plants is good for well being. I want to share with the wearer appreciation of the beauty of nature. Inspiring people to take a closer look at familiar plants and increase the sense of wonder.
Sue Gregor
Contemporary Jewellery Designer