Here is a little sneak peak into my design and making process!
1) It starts out with a client contacting me about an idea. Often it's for a certain celebration in their lives, for example the Wildflower necklace was to be a present to the client's wife for their silver wedding anniversary. I always ask what they want to be made e.g. a necklace or earrings, what metal and stones they want in it and what story they want to tell with them.
The story behind this necklace is the coming together of the couple (shown with the flowing silver wires) and the wildflowers that were on top of their wedding cake.
2) It's time to start sketching!
3) Once picking out a few key flowers and shapes I start to draw the final design to show the client (see below).
The client agrees t the initial design, but knows small changes can be made throughout as it is a bespoke piece.
Silver is chosen as the metal of choice, to go with the Silver wedding theme.
Stones are chosen and bought and sizing is taken to make sure it will fit and hang correctly when worn.
4) The making begins!
The client wanted a little decoration on the back representing the marriage, as you can see in the picture below the back of the setting, where the opal will sit, there is a cut-out of wildflower silhouette.
Once the making began the client decided to take the leaves part of the design out, so you can focus more on the dog-rose flower in the centre. Also the wire part was made larger to support the silver flower and opal better.
I suggested hanging the opal setting so when it is worn it will move and catch the light, as well as being re-movable so it can be worn as a separate pendant as well. (2 in 1!)
5) The finished piece!
With a few more small tweaks the Silver Wedding Anniversary Wildflower Necklace was complete. Made in Sterling Silver, with a large re-constituted opal and blue Cubic Zirconia.
It was a huge build, but very rewarding because of the clients story and love for one another.