Custom Brindle Whippet Ornament in Silver and 22ct Gold: Rebel
When Sue contacted me about making something special featuring her Whippet, Rebel, she knew one thing for certain. She didn't want jewellery.
Instead, she wanted an ornament, something she could display at home and enjoy every day.
I love it when customers come to me with a different idea, and creating a little silver Rebel standing just 5cm high was a lovely project.
Rebel has a beautiful brindle coat, with all those lovely variations in colour that make brindle dogs so distinctive. Recreating that pattern in silver was a real pleasure. I used sterling silver, oxidised silver and 22ct gold to bring out the different shades and markings in her coat.
Her white chest marking was another important detail, which I recreated by engraving the silver to give it the right definition and contrast.
Although the ornament is only 5cm tall, there's a surprising amount of detail packed into such a small piece. That's one of the challenges, and joys, of making custom animal pieces. It's not just about getting the shape right, it's about capturing the markings and little features that make one particular dog recognisable.
I think the combination of silver, dark oxidisation and warm gold worked beautifully for Rebel's brindle colouring. Each finish adds something different, helping to bring her coat to life without losing the lovely simplicity of a small silver sculpture.
And I was delighted to make something a little different from my usual necklaces, earrings and brooches. Rebel may not be worn close to Sue's heart in the traditional sense, but she'll have her own special place at home, where she can see her every day.
Sometimes, the perfect way to celebrate a much-loved dog isn't jewellery at all. It's a tiny silver version of them, made especially for you.
If you would like to have your own dog recreated in silver, even from older photographs, I would love to see them. You can read more about my process here: Custom Pet Jewellery.
Who knows? Your precious friend might just be the next one I’m smiling about at my workbench.
Easy Design Process
Take the first step toward an one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery you and your pets deserve. With my simple, personal design process, I'll create a treasure that lasts a lifetime, and beyond.
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