Meg: A Necklace with Two Stories
Some pieces of jewellery tell more than one story.
When Jan contacted me about her beloved Border Terrier, Meg, she sent a photograph that immediately caught my attention. Yes, there was Meg, looking wonderfully patient and slightly bemused, but there was something else too.
A hat.
Not just any hat, but a blue and pink hat that held a very special place in Jan’s heart.
The hat had belonged to Jan’s mum, who had sadly passed away. Meg had worn it in one of Jan’s favourite photographs, and suddenly this commission became about much more than recreating a dog. It became a way of bringing together two much-loved souls in a single piece of jewellery.
I knew straight away that the hat had to be included.
I created Meg in sterling silver and rose gold, carefully capturing her distinctive Border Terrier features, from her alert expression to her wonderfully scruffy coat. Border Terriers have such characterful faces, and it is always a challenge I enjoy trying to capture that unique combination of intelligence and mischief.
The hat, however, was the part that required the most thought.
I made it separately in silver before adding blue and pink enamel details to recreate the colours from the original photograph. It was important that it felt instantly recognisable, not just as a hat, but as that hat. The one that connected Meg to Jan’s mum.
I love pieces like this because they are filled with layers of meaning that no one else would ever know just by looking at them. To most people, it is a necklace of a dog wearing a colourful hat. To Jan, it is a reminder of two loved ones and the memories they shared.
"Hi Avril, I just love Meg & her hat, very many thanks for a little masterpiece. With best wishes,"
When Meg arrived, Jan sent me a message that made me smile:
"Hi Avril, I just love Meg & her hat, very many thanks for a little masterpiece.
With best wishes,
Jan"
Short and simple, but sometimes that says it all.
I was delighted that Meg and her special hat had made it safely home.
Because the best commissions are not just about recreating an animal. They are about preserving the stories, memories and connections that make them so important to us.
If you would like your own dog recreated in silver, complete with the little details that tell their story, I would love to see your photographs.
If you’ve ever thought about having a custom piece made, I’d love to hear your ideas. You can read more about my process here: Custom Pet Jewellery.
Who knows? Your dog 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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