A delicate and charming collection of jewellery featuring handmade silver bells topped with a subtle gradation of colour in natural gemstones. The silver is oxidised, resulting in a charcoal patina settling into the crevices, while some areas have been polished back, giving an added dimension of depth and an old-world feel. The bells are individually shaped, so no two are identical and the slight asymmetry gives it an organic feel which blends in perfectly with the facetted button shaped gemstones.
Multiple colours of sapphire, ruby and emerald are held in place using finely fused wires threaded through tiny chain links resulting in a dainty structure where the eyes focus solely on the colours and bell shapes. The collection consists of cute earrings in various sizes and gorgeous bracelets and necklaces with delicately handmade T-bar clasps capped with precious gems.
Please note that Bellflower necklaces and bracelets should not be worn over knitwear or delicate fabrics in case threads get caught in the fine wires.
This collection is entirely handmade and very time consuming and complex to make. Sterling silver tubing is used to create the bells via a process of deforming both ends, either by expanding or compressing to get a bell like shape. Filing is then needed to create more definition and asymmetry. The same technique is used to create tube-shaped links for bracelets and necklaces. Some have fine chain threaded through for more flexibility, others are tightly wired between small chain sections for a firmer look. Deliberately creating asymmetry is the key to this collection; any components which are uniform would detract from the organic feel.
Once the silver components are all assembled the gems need to be sorted for both colour and size gradation. The expletive-laden process then begins of attaching the gems using fine wires threaded through small sections of chain and delicately melting the ends of the wire to secure the gems in place—not for the faint hearted! Finally the jewellery is oxidised and careful consideration is given to which sections to brush back and polish resulting in the two-tone effect.
Items from the Bellflower collection are delicate and should not be worn during vigorous activities. Please handle the jewellery carefully and avoid pulling or tugging on the bells or gemstones.
Don’t leave silver jewellery out in the open, as circulating air will speed up any tarnishing. The jewellery should be stored carefully wrapped up in tissue paper in an airtight container or zip lock plastic bag to prevent tarnishing or scratching.
If you do need to remove tarnish from your Bellflower jewellery, then I recommend carefully rubbing the bright silver surfaces only with a silver polishing cloth. Please don’t hesitate to contact me via email if you have any questions.
