Thursday, June 26, 2008
Here is my new acorn necklace.
Here’s what makes it special.
Acorn and Squirrel Necklace© Wendy Brandes 2007-2008
Photos by Squaremoose
This piece was inspired by antique mourning jewelry, in which the hair of a deceased loved one was woven into bracelets or earrings or kept under glass in brooches and lockets. Hairwork is strongly associated the Victorian era because Queen Victoria wore mourning for her husband Albert from his death in 1861 until her own in 1901. But it was popular before her reign too. Here is a double-sided mourning pendant from the Georgian era. Hair was used to create an elaborate scene on top of an ivory background.
Photo from the marvelous Things Gone By
Photo from Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry
Photo from the marvelous Things Gone ByAcorns were a common theme in hair jewelry, because they are associated with immortality. The acorn cap was often woven in a crosshatch pattern, as seen in these 19th century hair earrings.
Photo from Morning Glory Antiques and JewelryFor once, it wasn’t the somber story behind the jewelry that intrigued me. It was the crosshatch pattern, which reminded me of a cage. I was amused by the idea of an acorn prison. Who deserves an acorn prison more than a squirrel?
that is so cute!!! i love the squirrel
That is too freakin’ adorable. I love the squirrel inside. such an unexpected touch.
Wow. I love that acorn necklace.
OMG! So cute!!!!!!!! Ok, yeah, the attack of the exclamation points.
I actually did just acquire a pair of peep-toe booties… I’ll post about them soon!
Cute necklace! I love it!
That’s gorgeous Wendy B! I love how your jewellery sometimes has a little secret like that.
i really love it! i so wish that i could afford to purchase some of your jewellery, you make the most amazing pieces.
love it. think you are so talent. really and truly. what a gift to conceive of make such beautiful pieces! love that there’s always a little twist or hidden surprise.
Aah, this is beyond cute!! You are soo talented and creative Wendy-I adore it! have a lovely weekend!
wow…wendy it’s beautiful! I went to the V&A’s new jewellery gallery and it was full of mourning jewellery like that. I couldn’t believe the level of detail in them, they were amazing. (and I agree about the acorn prison, as cute as squirrels are, they keep raiding the bird feeder in the garden)
What a cute little touch! I adore the squirrel. It’s funny how your jewelry designs seem to correspond with your writing styles.
Also, I tagged you for the 123 book thingamajig. I don’t know how I’m meant to know if you’ve been tagged already, so just ignore these three sentences if you already have. Apart from the bit about ignoring them..
OMG! So beautiful. Even more special when you think about the inspiration behind this piece. Great blog btw!
Love, Betsy.
So clever and so inspiring – i love the acorn.
Dear Ms B,
Secret Squirrel! It is indeed special, very, very special. You’ve outdone yourself yet again! And the shape of the detachable acorn body reminds me of an ash urn – mourning jewellery?
All power to the nut…when will the walnut get a look in?
this is so cool. it reminded me straight away of my grandparents because my gran used to put her medicine in little lockets and my grandpa loved nuts!
OMG!! So creative!
Love it.
xx
Lovely and funny. I love that the squirrel is trapped in the nut. I hate the squirrels. They’re like the terrorists of the forest. They are so tame now that if you go on a picnic round here they actually pull up a tiny chair, sit with you and bogart all your best pickings. Cheeky buggers!
This is indeed my favorite of your pieces ever. The inspiration, the reference, the surprise and the irony of it all.
Oh wow! That acron necklace is delightful. I love surprises.
The acorn is my absolute favorite. Must add it to my wish list!
wnedy, i just love it! if i had any money left, it would go to you and get me that acorn necklace!
i love the backstory of it. you teached me something new today, so thanks for that.
Wendy,
Oh, I want that acorn necklace!!!
I love the acorn necklace and thanks for the tip I always get weird chain mail like if you don’t send this you will die and all crap soooo fake
Oh my goodness, soooo cute!
That is fantastic.
i love the first neclace it is so cute and simple nice{
I’m just nuts about that necklace.
Okay, that was a bad joke. The necklace is cool and sweet and clever. Just beautiful!
That necklace is so cute. It’s like “Oh, what a cute necklace. It’s an acorn. But wait…there’s more.”
That’s my favorite-ever piece of yours. My jaw dropped. (hair jewelry gives me the willies; I have a friend who collects it and I cannot bring myself to touch it. Shudder).
WendyB, that is wickedly cool. I love the history behind it and the creativity. LOVE!
Love it and the history. But Mitch would try to spray the squirrel with a hose or chase it with a broom. We’ve got some crazy squirrels in Venice.
I’m gonna have to show this to my friend who’s scared of squirrels. It might put her at peace.
I’m not one to comment on the jewelry very often (because of the Y chromosome and all), but that is pretty damn cool.
She’s done it again. GORGEOUS work.
Actual squirrels wig me out a big, but golden ones imprisoned in acorns? No fear.
That’s beyond adorable! I love the little squirrel.
Miss Janey LOVES the acorn necklace with the squirrel inside. It’s smart, funny adn beautiful. MUcch like its creator.
I love that acorn necklace! That’s so adorable and perfect!
Acorn necklace! That’s special!
one word– ingenious.
now, i’m thinking of being eternally encaged in a dark chocolate prison.
Oh that acorn necklace is so pretty! I love the “suprise” of the squirrel, which is in itself very Victorian.
I’m experiencing total cuteness overload looking at the pic of that necklace! It reminds me of my university campus and all the squirrels that ran around on the lawns.
Love the acron necklace! The squirrel inside does make it really special.
Love the acron necklace! The squirrel inside does make it really special.
oh my GOD! so cute!!!
i really love and how talented you are!! congratulations by your great job!
a kiss!!
Clever girl! That squirrel is so damn cute.
This piece sort of reminds me of those Kinder chocolate eggs from Germany that have a surprise toy inside them.
stunning and whimsical! Awesome!
I like this little story behind it all. It is quite intriguing to know more about it, it makes it more special! I like the little squirrel inside, however, how am I supposed to wear it? With the squirrel freed? Or do I run around with my acorn and whoever I think I can stun I surprise with the squirrel? haha, nice thought!
Oh and guess what – the anti-bot-writing I am asked to type in order to comment says “soapcat”! Nice!
wow! that squirrel on the inside was so unexpected. very cute and creative.
WHAT THE??!!???….
that’s awesome. my favorite metal, my favorite, animal and my favorite designer all in one.