An organic, mushroom pendant created in sterling silver using the water casting method where molten silver is plunged into cool water, forming organic shapes. The pendant hangs from an 18" sterling silver chain which closes with a hand forged clasp in my Bird Mother shape, recalling ancient bird mother iconography. The clasp is accented with two micro-faceted smoky quartz beads. The clasp has been hallmarked at the Assay Office in Edinburgh with the Edinburgh assay mark, the Scottish silver mark as well as my maker's mark.
This process of water casting fascinates me-- as it uses the elements of fire, water, earth and air in a kind of formative ritual. I like to think of it as a form of divination- argyromancy for its similarity to molybdomancy, or the use of molten lead for divination- still in use in Finland at New Year as well as in Turkey.
This particular instance the silver formed a small cave containing a mushroom. Reminiscent of Shunga, the erotica of Edo-era Japan, this pendant is weighty with sensual power.
All my jewellery is made by hand by my partner Mike and myself in a converted 18th century naval school on the wild North coast of Scotland. All pieces come gift wrapped with lavender and Scottish heather.