Inspiration can come from anywhere, and this is never more evident than when you step into the Jewel Envy studio. Each goldsmith finds inspiration in different places, and this is clear from the wide range of different kinds of jewellery pieces that we make. Me? I love science (okay, that’s simplistic, I love lots of things). Most of my work is currently inspired by the cells and concepts of the immune system, expressed in different ways. Each of the series of pieces that I do has a specific underlying idea or spark. My latest pieces, which I am still really at the beginning of exploring, are a consideration of red blood cells and how they move.
Earrings: hand molded and cast asymmetric base in sterling silver with hand fabricated cabochon sapphire settings. They hang about 2cm long.
You may know that most cells have a nucleus – this is where DNA (which contains the blueprint or instructions to recreate life). Fun fact about mammalian (this includes people!) red blood cells? They don’t have one! Which is what gives them a characteristic “donut”-like appearance. They’re mostly round, and I like to imagine them flowing through veins at a terrific rate!
schematic of red blood cells
(wikimedia picture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_blood_cell#/media/File:Blausen_0761_RedBloodCells.png)
Hand molded base cast in sterling silver with a hand fabricated setting for a kite shaped tourmalinated quartz.
Two pieces together give you a bit of an idea of scale – they’re not dainty, but they’re a nice size to be noticed, but still light enough to be very comfortable!
The way they are constructed means that no two pieces are the same, and I do like a bit of balanced asymmetry! Want to know more? Curious about what other pieces will pop up in this series? Visit the studio to see, or ask more about them!
Happy Sunday!
-Robin.
