A Jewellery Journey – from WW2 beach curio to a modern-day family heirloom.
Sometimes creating jewellery transcends the physical object. It becomes a bridge between us, the maker, and the wearer, forging an emotional connection.
In this instance, I was fortunate to be part of a truly special transformation involving operculum shells. Their journey to becoming a cherished piece began in World War II, when our client's father collected them and kept them safe in an old tobacco tin.
We were commissioned to design a simple necklace for our client, echoing the design of a ring we'd repaired for her late last year. Since there was no specific deadline, the project went into our "non-urgent" queue, with Christmas orders taking priority.
However, fate intervened. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances prevented us from returning to the workshop in the last few days of 2019, delaying the completion of the necklace.
The holiday season passed, and with it, a family trip to Kangaroo Island cancelled due to bushfires. While spending much of the break glued to updates on the Country Fire Service website, I eagerly awaited our return to work.
Upon returning in January, I was met with the heartbreaking news that our client had lost her home and all its contents in the fires. She expressed immense gratitude that her jewellery pieces hadn't been finished and collected in December, as they likely would have been destroyed too.
This unforeseen series of events imbued the necklace with a new significance. It's a reminder that creating jewellery can be an emotional journey, reflecting both the wearer's story and the unexpected twists of fate. When the sentimental value surpasses the monetary worth, it truly signifies success.
Ben
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