Annual Charm Bracelet
This is the project that inspired the concept for my jewellery business.
Her Dad, commissioned me to make a charm every year. This charm marks the most important object or memory of her previous year. It is an annual gift, that a loving Father will give to his daughter, marking their memories for now, and the years to come.
I am so honoured to be a part of this meaningful project, and look so forward to adding to it, as the years pass.
This series will be grow by one charm each year…
Year Ten: Houseboat Charm
Every year of her life (and before she was born!), this family takes a holiday on a houseboat – discovering Lake Temagami in Northern Ontario. This is an annual favourite for this family. And it was really wonderful to be able to mark this tradition for them, in the ’round’.
Charm: 14mm x 7mm x 6mm
Year Nine: Covid Charm
Year 9, and it’s been a tough year for this active, bright-eyed school kid.
That’s it – you guessed it – A coronavirus – we all know it, it’s affected us all is ways known and unknown. It was a year of online schooling, and socializing digitally for this awesome kid.
She spent a lot of time on Facetime, so I drew a little logo on the underside of the dome of this representation of the virus.
I felt that this year, with all of it’s various struggles, had to be commemorated in gold (10K yellow) – every year I have made her charms in sterling silver. This one just had to be created gold.
Maybe not the happiest memories at this time. But one to look back on, as time passes, and she moves past the struggles of 2020/21.
Year Eight: “Safe Harbour” Mask & Snorkel + Dad as Raft
Her Dad came to me with a pretty abstract, but heartbreakingly beautiful concept… they live on the lake, and usually swim at least one time a day, in the summer. He wanted something that represented himself as a raft… this year, when they swim she would crawl up on him, and use her Dad as a raft – a safe harbour, a support, a lifeline – now and for the rest of her years.
This was a pretty tough concept to create, and make readable, in 2cm’s of silver! But, with further conversation, we came up with using her favourite pink snorkel and mask. Perfect! I made the snorkel and mask, and a representation of her Dad, floating on his back, in ‘raft formation’ on the inside… this is what she would see, looking through her mask, when swimming. Also in seeing his supportive presence throughout her life.
The most jam-packed charm with meaning yet.
So lovely.
Year Seven: Electric Motorbike
She’s growing up so fast! A pretty exciting little electric motorbike that she loves to ride around with her Dad, who rides a much larger version.
(It’s so wee! and the wheels rotate!)
Year Six: Bear-Bear
One of her favourite stuffies, immortalized on her Charm Bracelet, as time passes and she moves on to more ‘grown-up’ interests…
Year Five: Mellica
Mellica, the beloved gentle giant, passed away this winter. He was truly a member of the family and will be missed in his Northern home by the lake. A beautiful silver Great Dane with such a gentle, cuddly laid back disposition. He is missed, but had a wonderful, long life with his human family.
Year Four: LOVIE
This has been her stuffed animal of choice for four years now. ‘Lovie’ has been truly well Loved, and is always just within arms’ reach.
Year Three: Watering Can
“Water” was the theme, so I took her favorite watering can, and shrunk it teeny-tiny (15 x 13 mm), carved in wax, cast in silver, and ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ was engraved on either side, in their own handwriting.
Year Two: Snow Suit
So sweet in her favourite snow suit. This little Northerner loves her winter!
Year One: Sophie the Giraffe
Her favourite (in her early toy-portfolio ; )
