chain of thought

21.4.13

new pieces

Here's some photo evidence to prove I have been doing something over the last few weeks!

I've added a few new pieces to various collections, including a new 'swing series', which incorporates mixed colours, moving elements and is visually more delicate than some of my other collections.

29.3.13

le louvre

I thought I'd share some inspiring images from a trip to the Louvre a few years ago.
These are Roman, Greek, Byzantine and Mesopotamian pieces from an incredibly huge collection.
When you consider these ancient pieces with a contemporary frame of mind, it is easy to believe that in the world of design, nothing is new...

21.3.13

nuevo

Some new little pieces have made their way to Arbor this week, a variation on my mountain and molehill earrings with red agate, and a new engagement ring with a sparkly parti sapphire in light gold and greeny-blue tones.

4.3.13

sea glass

sea glass pieces in my possession, so many new things to play with...

22.2.13

taureg ornaments

I just received these beautiful Taureg hair/pendant ornaments in my mailbox today. Very excited to find a home for them and make something extra special with them.

They are antique and carved from carnelian, and were cut in Idar-Oberstein in Germany in the mid-late 1800's and traded with the Tuareg tribe in Mali.

The town of Idar-Oberstein is famous for gem cutting it seems, with some interesting modern cutting coming out of there such as these incredible examples:

Due to the nature of the Taureg people's attire, there were no photos I could find of any of these particular ornaments being worn in the hair, I assume they were worn at the end of braids? If anyone out there knows otherwise, I'd be glad to hear from you!

But I did find these stunning photos of Taureg girls taken by Eric Lafforgue, checkout the rest of his amazing collection of images if you have time, it's well worth it for the ethnic jewellery spectacle.