The story behind the Peacock bangle.
spot the difference – the first Peacock bangle from 2006 and the new version available HERE.
As with a lot of pieces, this started off as a competition entry.
I had designed leaves and flowers at this point. Designing a peacock feather without colour felt like a strange thing to do – but worth the effort. I’ve been looking at feather structure for years. (I’m a geneticist too, you know…)
The Kayman design award was the first jewellery design competition I ever entered and I managed to short list with a 5 piece peacock collection; a pendant, layered stud earrings, an ornate neckpiece and matching bracelet and this bangle.
I took my entry up to Birmingham myself – my first introduction to the British Jewellers Association. It didn’t win but I can remember being told in hushed tones by one of the judges that it had been, “fought for” – that was important.
So I had this new collection. The peacock bangle was my favourite piece from it – the first master had taken 3 ½ weeks to pierce out.
I started casting from that first piece and it was a popular piece straight away so when I lost contact with my caster – and well… she decided to keep the master(!) the stock ran out quickly.
The first new master I made is shown here.
I tried to find a company with the expertise to cast from it. No one could help. I looked over the place but eventually accepted that I wasn’t going to be able to produce the piece again. That was that. I had the hand pierced master 22ct gold plated – it is beautiful and for sale HERE.
So that was it. The master was gone. I started on new collections and (nearly) gave up.
(Insert mournful music with images of me looking solemnly out of the window here. Rain? Probably.)
I met Kim at International Jewellery London in 2012, had a couple of meetings and started using her for all of my casting needs. The quality of her work is fabulous.
I made a new master in copper (only 2½ days to pierce!) with improvements, little holes in the centre of the eyes made the design fresher and more ornate and strips on the back of the piece gave it strength and weight – a vital characteristic of any piece of jewellery.
I sent it to Kim and waited. I waited and waited….. I eventually received a very sheepish phone call…
Harriet? … I can probably do it but I wanted me to ask you something …. Would it be OK if I…Cut your master….in…..half?
That bit of ultra cheeky problem solving is why I love Kim. I always aim to work with people willing to think more and harder and differently about a project in order to get it done. I’m very lucky to have found her.
And of course I said yes (and did a little dance)… And can now present the peacock bangle. It’s lovely to have it back!
Ta-Dah!!!
