HelenSilverSmit ... enjoy today: 2013

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

to markets we go

i love this time of the year...
it's filled with family, loved ones, reflection, hope, sunshine and watermelon :)
and lots of wonderful markets!!

HelenSilverSmit is so excited to be joining some lovely, family-friendly markets for the 2013 merry season - perfect excuses for family outings to some of the most beautiful places in the Western Cape, South Africa.

please come say hi!

Wednesday, 4 December 2013

'tis the season

it's market season and HelenSilverSmit has been busy at the most delicious markets!
october's highlight was the travel up to and taking part in the beautiful Bloemfontein Kamersvol Geskenke - always so wonderful to be amongst the big heart people of Bloemfontein.
november's big market was the wonderful Webersburg Kamersvol Geskenke in Stellenbosch - what a stunning setting and a great happiness to have taken part in this feast of all things beautifully creative! a wonderful success was had :)
thank you to each of you who visited and supported me during these wonderful markets!

HelenSilversmit at Kamersvol Geskenke _ Bloemfontein October 2013

HelenSilverSmit at Kamersvol Geskenke _ Stellenbosch November 2013

for December many markets are coming up and i will post the up and coming events here for you.

for a happy Xmas Shopping experience, do join HelenSilverSmit at the lovely Treasury Market this coming Saturday (07 December 2013) from 09:00 to 12:00 - see you there!

HelenSilverSmit on sale at the beautiful Treasury Market at Oude Libertas, Stellenbosch 07 Dec 2013

Sunday, 17 November 2013

crest crazy


+HelenSilver Smit sterling silver crest / signet rings

i have an obsession with crest rings and signet rings.
they transport me to an era where jewellery told a story of origin and heraldy.

in my jewellery i love to combine traditional shield designs and incorporate era relevant crest designs onto my spoon rings - it tells a story and i love, love, love stories!

more +HelenSilver Smit signet rings

here's a snippet of the story of signet and crest rings:

"The wearing of signet rings (from Latin "signum" meaning sign) goes back to ancient Egypt...Because it is used to attest the authority of its bearer, the ring has also been seen as a symbol of his power, which is one explanation for its inclusion in the regalia of certain monarchies." (Seal (emblem) (2013) retrieved 17 Nov 2013 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signet_ring#Signet_rings)
"A ring distinguished an individual in a way that other forms of jewellery did not. Finger rings represented the language of social code, and connoted one’s social standing. Under the Empire, the finger ring was still considered a privilege, conferred for military distinction. As time wore on and attitudes changed, the ring was more freely bestowed. Even so, the ring retained its position as a mark of dignity, as a rich ornament, as an important seal, and as a token of betrothal... A Signet Ring was highly representative of the individual who wore it. It was, in effect, his or her signature" (Signet Rings History retrieved 17 Nov 2013 from http://www.heraldicrings.com/Signet_Rings_History2.html).

Tuesday, 9 April 2013

keep telling stories

one of my very favourite parts of my work is the highlighting of original value and history.
we all love a good story and the purpose of my upcycled jewelry is to keep telling this historic story and make it relevant to today.

here a circa 1927 sterling silver teaspoon tells it's story


circa 1927 gold and silver teaspoon ring

originating as a sterling souvenir teaspoon of the Royal Scottish Golf Club, i preserved the circa 1927, Birmingham English hallmark to tell of it's own historic value. the golf club stem was kept and used as the shank of this lovely knuckle armor silver teaspoon ring.
a wonderful Victorian inspired crest was hand pierced from recycled silver and set with a block of 9ct gold.

86 years later this hallmark is still alive with value and stories to tell :)