New Celestial Jewellery
Hello! I hope you're all well and enjoying summer? I'd like to share some new designs with you all, I've recently added some new pieces to my celestial range. I love watching the stars and moon this time of year, there's nothing more beautiful than stargazing on a warm summer's evening.
I was so inspired by pieces I've seen online from the Met Museum's "Heavenly Bodies" exhibition, especially the exquisite textures and details from the Byzantine Empire, and the way these translate into contemporary fashion design. I only wish I could go there in person to see the show in real life.... but for now I have been watching videos and slideshows in awe. The exhibition's theme is fashion inspired by the Catholic religion, with many highly detailed artefacts and fashion designs on show. I'm really drawn to the designs in opulent golds and reds, it's such a beautiful colour combination and I think that's why I love gold with rubies and garnets so much!
Byzantine cross, from the Met Museum's Heavenly Bodies exhibit.
I wanted to experiment with intricate textures and so designed some crescent moons with both engraved details and relief. Here is one of the moon designs in wax form, before it was cast in silver.
Crescent moon hand carved in wax.
I was really pleased with the way this turned out as it was hard to imagine it in silver. I also etched in a secret message on the back of the pendant, "a la luna", meaning "to the moon". I love the secret language and symbolism of jewellery and thought this would be a special sentiment for its wearer.
A special secret message.
I created another little moon which I've made into a ring, pendant and earrings, and also a simple textured disc pendant set with a tiny white sapphire. Here are some of the new pieces together.
Celestial magic!
I've also carved a teeny tiny north star in wax, I'm not sure what it will be like in metal just yet, but will post an update if I decide to add it to the shop. I've also got a few new ring designs that I'm waiting to come back from casting, and hope to add some of these to the shop for Christmas.
North star in jeweller's wax.
I hope you've enjoyed reading about my design process and that you like my new pieces. Wishing you all a lovely week and will post another update here sometime soon!
Erica x