MADE TO ORDER

A birthday present from Grant to Penny.
 
The neckpiece is made in 18ct yellow gold using a Byzantine style chain that had been purchased for Penny many years earlier. The chain had not been well used in recent years and Grant wanted to make a wearable and contemporary piece to celebrate Penny’s birthday.
 
The original chain had a very royal feel, heavy and well made. I decided to make two interlocking sculptural components to form a long neckpiece for wear with jeans or something very formal.  
 
As a designer it is a great pleasure to work with the commissioning client on the conversation and creative process of exchange as the design develops and evolves to it’s final form.
 
Usually the conversation with the client begins with a very general idea – I’d like a neckpiece or ring etc. What kind? How big? What materials? When I develop a design brief it is the process of narrowing the scope of the piece so we both feel we are getting an interesting and meaningful design.
 
It may be to commemorate a birthday or any other special occasion or just the wish to take pleasure in both the designer and the commissioner achieving a very personal and special piece – a one of a kind to pass on to successive generations.

25 Jun 2008