A necklace a day

It's been a while since I set up shop. My Etsy shelves have been closed to visitors for some months and are slightly cobwebby and forlorn. My commission book has been busy and I've just delivered a new collection to the Cambridge Botanic Garden shop, which has been wonderful, but I do miss making a quick sketch of a plant or bird whilst walking in the wood with Minnie the pebbledog, coming home and translating it into a wearable necklace. I miss grabbing a small handful of shells, gems, and pieces of handmade silver and making them into something new. 

There are designs I've wanted to make for some time and there have been requests for me to list some of the commissioned pieces I've been sharing over on Twitter and Instagram, so I've hatched a plan. 

During June I will be making a new necklace a day. I'm already a little late in starting and I may not manage to make 30 new pieces but I hope to replenish the silverpebble shelves regularly this month. I plan meadow necklaces like the one above, tiny antique keys that used to open writing slopes, poppies to coincide with the self-seeded numbers emerging up in my garden, perhaps a yellowhammer and a swallow or two. 

I'm starting with an old favourite, Seaham seaglass. I doubt I will ever cease to be thrilled by the thought that these tiny pebbles of jewel-coloured glass have been in the North sea for around 100 years, flung into the sea from the Candlish bottle works on the cliff, that closed in 1921. I admit to hoarding this stuff. To me it's bona fide treasure and when I team it with tiny antique pearls and facetted fluorite I do have an urge to don a tricorn hat, befriend a parrot and shiver a timber.

A small collection of Seaham seaglass necklaces is in my Etsy shop.

Edited to add: no two necklaces I make are the same but if by any chance a necklace you might like has been sold, then drop me a line on emma@minniedog.co.uk and I may be able to make something similar.

Note:The seaglass and freshwater pearl garland has now sold.