I love daisies.
As a result, some of my designs are based around this happy flower!
A long while back, I was designing a new floral necklace with silver clay, based on a daisy. There’s a stage in the making process where the clay is vulnerable to breakage and I was at that point when a petal fell off ( I may have groaned out loud!).
It sat in a pot of broken bits for a while until I decided to do something with it. Now, I could have ground it all back to powder and added water to make clay again but I looked at the pieces and made the choice to re-imagine it as a whole new design.
So I carefully took 4 of the petals and reshaped three of them. Then I found a cubic zirconium gemstone in a neutral pale peach and set it into a bezel of silver clay. The cz’s I use with silver clay can tolerate the heat of the firing process, they’re available in a variety of colours and sizes and I love incorporating them into my designs.
I carefully positioned the four petals into a cross shape and placed the gemstone where they all met at the centre using slip (a runny paste of clay which ‘glues’ it all together). I created a bail for the chain on the back and neatened the point where the 4 parts meet with a small clay disc. Then it got super toasty in the kiln to burn the clay binder and sinter the silver particles!
I made this around 4 years ago and it is the necklace I wear the most (which is why it needs a jolly good clean!).
It tells a lovely story.
I made a mistake.
I broke my daisy.
It could have remained broken but the potential for beauty would have remained just that: potential. Hidden from view.
Instead, it has been given a new life.
It fulfills a new purpose.
It looks different than its original form. But to me it is more significant and special because of this story.
Broken fragments became transformed, renewed and rebirthed.
So, as much as I love daisies, I am so pleased I was able to re-imagine petals into a cross.
It has become such a special reminder each day of the abundant and lavish grace our Father God bestows on us.
Even when we make a mistake...
…and another…
…and another…
"So now we draw near freely and boldly
to where grace is enthroned
to receive mercy's kiss
and discover the grace we urgently need
to strengthen us in out time of weakness."
Hebrews 4:16
I think I'll make some more of these - what do you think?