Stitched earrings, sterling silver |
Stitching precious metal
Sterling silver neckpiece |
Bobbin lace necklace |
During my observation for the design I intended to create, I came across a jeweler who crafts similar jewelry pieces to mine. Her name is Lauran Sundin. I plan to explore the binding of different shapes, where the technique of binding becomes the stitch itself. This is central to the design, not just an embellishment. It can either be hidden or showcased to reveal how the stitching works. The binding can take on various forms as part of the design. Sundin emphasizes, "Rather than cutting a shape from a piece of metal, she achieves the desired results through building up the form using individual wires and their ability to be structurally sound through twists and turns."
Kintsugi pottery |
In Japan, there is a traditional repair method known as Kintsugi. It is an ancient Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with gold. As a metaphor for life, it shows us how to view the broken, painful parts of ourselves and others as an opportunity to add strength, beauty. My jewellery relates to the Kintsugi practice by incorporating stitching as a connection to my life experiences. I use the stitching method as a metaphor for telling my story through jewellery making, adding stitches to bind two objects together. I aim to mend what has been broken into one element, and the patterns created by the wire stitching somehow reflect the interconnectedness of people's lives, known as "uqhagamshelwano." My work embodies "uNyamezelo," symbolizing strength and beauty, as there is a part of me that gains strength when creating my jewellery pieces.