some might say that jewelry is just a way for a girl to decorate herself, but i believe there is so much more. everything in my jewelry box has a story that reminds me of a person, time or event in my lifetime. little tiny heirlooms of memories that i can unlock each time i put them on. it’s lovely to have small precious physical reminders of the non-tangible elements and to collect them over the years.
whenever i can get the time, i like to indulge in researching. i used to skip lunch in high school so that i could go to the library and look for something new. (i clearly remember finding ovid and basquiat this way, and when i would find a nice “hiding spot” in between the rows of books i felt like bastian from the neverending story minus the techo-pop soundtrack.) so naturally, this gathering of ideas runs over to designing jewelry.
there is so much to learn. most recently i came across victorian mourning jewelry. these pieces contained a woman’s crowning glory, locks of hair worked in an intricate manner behind glass. carrying the brooch or locket with you was a way to remember the loved one who had passed on. they had a short life span of being in style in the 19th century mostly popular during the reign of queen victoria. that’s a fashion trend for you.
and so the question remains in me…how best to recreate the symbolism and precious element of memory in my own work?
Wow, that is a great question and I love how you make the connection to the interesting Victorian jewelry-the whole idea of mourning jewelry is so peculiar yet somehow poetic to me. I am interested to see how you explore this topic more deeply, keep us posted!
hmm… very interesting question indeed…
I am a photographer and I also work with memory a lot in my personal work. More than just hair lockets, with the invention of photography, many people would carry around miniature photographs of loved ones who had died. Photography was thought to be a sort of magical science like alchemy, and the photograph was thought to be, more than just an image of the deceased, but an actual part of that person. Just wanted to share.
Great question. Will look forward to see how you answer it.
Jenny, I saw your photos of these on Flickr. What an interesting find — and question. That’s the trick, right? With art? Finding that symbolism? I don’t think there is an answer but that it’s a process. I think you’re on your way.
jenny, i really like about you that you always seem to be on the way: finding out about new things, learning, conquering new countries – just being on the way. i’m so sure you’ll find out your own symbols.
what a find. I too look through my jewelry box as if it were a memory book. Some pieces handed down from family, others bought along my travels, many handmade. Each one tells a story that I will cherish. I think that is why I love making jewelry now. I pour my heart and soul into each piece. My hope is who ever buys it from me or receives it as a gift will add it to their own jewelry box and have it become a new memory for them. I love thinking that some day one of my necklaces might become a wonderful story that is passed on to other generations.
wow!
that jewelery is really amazing. i strive to create images that hold a place in my memory. when i try to carve something because i think others will want it i always end up disliking the result. i have no idea how to translate that into jewelery making but i am positive that if anyone can, it is you!
i so so so have a soft spot for mourning jewelry. it is always just so amazing…. victorian hair crowns too….
xoxo
As a writer, I’ve sometimes work with what is called “memory plays”, in which what is remembered by the characters is at odds with reality. I’m fascinated with how we tend to romantise our past, especially when persons we’re remembering have passed away. It is a human trait, faulty but endearing. The real truth about a person is so easily lost once they have died, glossed over or re-assembled, cannonised like the extraordinary hair lockets you have found. I’m glad to have discovered your blog. I’ve read so many blogs that are badly written, superficial and lacking in the kind of question you have posed here. Thanks for your blog.
[...] finding this new medium unexpectedly feels splendid because it allows me to dabble. my world is a place where influences come and go like crushes and i need room to research, investigate and learn. sometimes i feel a panic not because i am out of inspiration, but because i don’t have enough time or resources to express everything i have inside of me. life is brimming full of things to fall in love with. and explore. and render… [...]
I used to wear one of my own pieces all the time that was just a antique photo of a sad looking girl’s face soldered under glass and one day, a grandmother at my son’s daycare told me how beautiful it was and asked me if was a piece of mourning jewelry. I had never heard of mourning jewelry so when she described the concept, I was intrigued (and flattered that she found my little handmade locket pretty). I had forgotten all about that exhange until now. Some of your recent posts are really hitting home for me at the right time. Thanks Jenny. I won’t neglect reading my pals’ blogs anymore.
[...] Original post by Jenny [...]
What strikes me is that a lot of this hair jewellery depicts intricate knots with no end and beginning… it is so striking that this probably symbolises infinity, and that the jewellery itself is so timeless…
Thats amazing collections.I love the way they designed.Great stuff.
Beautiful jewellery, that could make a nice keepsake for parents of small children. (First haircut) Much like footprint casting kits capture a moment.
I am working on a dictionary of the Victorian physical world and have been looking for some really good images of hair jewelry. Would you be will to give me permission of publish one of these pictures?
Thanks,