SOS Spirit of Sisters

This piece is one of the little luxuries I allow myself every now and then. A handmade piece of “art” jewellery for me is a joy and is something that is not meant to commercial. Art jewellery often has a political message, or a expression which is often not conventional or even practical at times. Making this type of jewellery requires reflection and abundant design time. I can’t afford the time to do much of it but when I do I really enjoy it.

This necklace is a response to a call for entry by the The Association for Contemporary Jewellery (ACJ) for work to be exhibited in Manchester Craft & Design Centre for Manchester Jewellery Week. I have been a member of the ACJ since I moved to the UK over 20 years now and was active in the Manchester Jewellers Network for many years. The theme is City of Suffragettes. I hope to be one of the 30 selected fingers crossed.

All the components in this piece are a tribute or nod to the past. The necklace is dedicated to Frances, Annie and Clara Hearne my children’s Great, Great, Great Aunts. The pendant is banner like in shape and serves as a frame to view past and present. There is a range of techniques and materials used in this piece from laser welding to vitreous enamelling.

SOS “Spirit Of Sisters” Pendant views from the past and the present.

This piece is dedicated to actions taken by the hundreds of lesser-known activists in the Greater Manchester area especially three sisters Frances, Annie and Clara Hearne.  Their activism for women’s rights is an example of what everyday women did to push the cause further.  The sisters are featured in the Oldman Museum display of the March 1912 carrying the OSWS banner in the procession. They served on OSWS board alongside some bigger names in the movement, wrote and advocated continually during their lives. All three were highly educated, chose not to marry and served as teachers and eventually headmistresses in the Oldham area. Years later Clara’s view on the damaging effects of corporal punishment of children in schools and home was unpopular but she was outspoken about her belief perhaps a legacy from her fight for women rights.

Present view: Sterling Silver embossed with cotton threads, rock crystal optically skewing tiny portals through to women’s stories of the past. This side of the pendant is modern looking reflecting today.

 Past view: SOS silver portals engraved, enamelled in suffragette colours and framed in 375 Gold with a pinhole glimpse into the present. This side of the pendant is a contemporary composition using elements that were often found in jewellery of the past.