” It’s Mum’s 50th birthday soon and she really loves your jewellery and I was wondering if there’s a silver necklace that could remind her of Cheddleton Heath? And do you think it could get to Spain by July the 8th? Thanks “ LA
So there was a challenge……..
Yes of course I’d got a range of beautiful silver leaves in my stock, but Cheddleton Heath is about 3 miles from home, less if I took the dogs and headed out cross country. It was an exciting opportunity (with challenging timescales) – I’d been to K’s childhood home (she was a primary school friend who I have not seen for some 35 years as our lives took us in different directions).
I’ve never actually visited the heath, despite being able to see it from the garden and discovered what a beautiful area it was. I recall K’s home had little steps leading down into private woodland, I wouldn’t be able to access this area, but I would get as close as I could through the public heath-land area.
Cheddleton Heath
Arriving at the heath I quickly realised Hawthorn did not feature heaviliy here, however Blackberry and Silver Birch did. Both make beautiful pendants, but thinking back to my own childhood, I had no memories of silver birch, but foraging for Blackberries is a childhood must do.
The hardest bit is choosing the leaves, I always grab a selection then study them more closely at home, some people prefer a perfect leaf, others love those with what I refer to as inclusions, the bits that nature takes away as leaves are nibbled by little bugs. I needed some stock so I was able to make a range and let LA choose from the finished array.
The coating of leaves in silver is a delicate process and takes several hours, firing follows and up to this stage anything can happen. During firing the original leaf burns away, I refer to this process as “creating a leaf, as unique as nature intended” – no two will ever be the same.
“Just wanted to let you know that it arrived just now and it is beautiful thanks so much again! I’ll tell you her reaction when she opens it on her birthday “ LA
Getting feedback like this is amazing. Every piece I make is filled with love and care. OK, I wont always be able to pick a special leaf, its a very seasonal thing, and all leaves will be local to me – but they will always be special, everyone of them.
I use silver clay – a beautiful and versatile medium. Once fired ALL my work is pure (99%) silver, stronger and more pure than sterling silver (92.5%). I made a number of leaves on that day, if you fancy your very own Blackberry Leaf then please take a look in my shop.
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