About the Necklace
Each necklace is a bespoke design, so no necklace will ever be the same. Even if I wanted to reproduce what I have designed, the elements I use are simply not available. The pendants are unique and the stones, metals even colours cannot be found again. I can repeat effective colour ways or designs, but the materials and pendants will be different. The down side is that a necklace you might want,
may not be available anymore. The up side is that only you will have the necklace you purchase. You can browse currently available necklaces on this site in our online shop which can be accessed via the menu at the top of each page.
My necklaces are a blend of Asian ideas with Western tastes, antique elements with the contemporary. Using raw materials, some with inclusions and interesting flaws, and some highly worked and polished, the necklaces can be dramatic, but they never overwhelm. Some are delicate, almost classical; others are chunky and mildly ethnic. Colour, harmony, texture and charm are primary considerations. But the necklace usually begins with a pendant, full of symbolism and delightful stories. Its colour, shape and mood dictate my choice of elements.
With each necklace, I have chosen from a mixture of semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, antique and new jades, handmade silver, gold, vermeil, antique bronze, ivory, bone, horn, Victorian, Art Deco elements, along with hand blown glass, shells, and even polished seeds. Harmonious colours, sometimes bold and other times subtle, are the key factor in selecting each bead.
Chinese knotting has also been used for many, but not all of the necklaces. Using a silk/polyester cord, I have opted for this traditional technique because partly it is a link to the past, partly it sets off the design so that the stones don’t dominate, and partly because it makes a heavy necklace lighter and more comfortable to wear. The cord is washable. It is not detachable, as it is integral to the whole necklace.
All clasps are of the toggle design, hand made of silver or gold
filled, which is silver plated 4 times with 14kt gold. 14kt gold
is also used but will always be stated.
I also make a simple and much less expensive necklace, using a silk band or coloured PVC steel wires, or coloured treated brass bands, each with interesting pendants and elements attached
Whether worn with jeans and a t-shirt or a suit for the office, the necklaces tend to pull a look together and give it a kind of buzz. This is what I’ve tried to achieve, and, according to my clients I have succeeded beyond my hopes. Many clients relate the complements they receive. Others tell me they never take the necklace off. And there are still others who have a mass of my necklaces.
But some clients have come back with unforgettable stories. One told me she wore her necklace on her way to hospital. Not only was she complemented on her appearance, thus giving her spirits a boost, but she also found enormous comfort in gently touching the jade pendant. Another client told me that the day after she bought her necklace, having been told the story of fruitfulness which the jade pendant held, her daughter in law became pregnant, having tried for years.
I have often been asked why I don’t make earrings or bracelets to coordinate with the necklaces. The reason is simply overkill. Because the necklace is a statement in itself, a simple matching pearl, gold or silver earring is just the right balance.