The Peas in a Pod Collection
Background Story:
A couple of years ago, a good friend had another baby.
I wanted to make something special for her, and to celebrate the new addition to their family. I found out the birth months of all her kids – and found that I had the birthstones for each of them!
So I decided to make something that represented them all, especially for my friend.
Previously, I have made jewellery pieces using a particular method of wire wrapping – called the “herringbone weave”. I had also discovered that when several stones were encased together within this herringbone weave, they looked like little peas in a pod!
They looked so cute, I thought it would make a very special gift from my heart (and hands) to my friends!
So I made this customised birthstone, peas in a pod pendant. Using recycled Sterling Silver wire as the ‘pod’ to encase the little ‘pea’ birthstones of each of her kids, I created a pendant, and hung it on a Sterling Silver box chain.
This is how it turned out:
Becoming a Customer Favourite
Despite not having the best quality picture, I posted it to instagram – and had a surprisingly positive reaction!
Lots of people commented on the necklace – and a few asked if I could make a birthstone necklace for them (or to give as gifts).
I worked out the pricing and listed the necklace on my website.
Over the next few months, I ended up making several of these birthstone necklaces, which fast became a customer favourite.
Some people gave them to their mothers as a gift, other’s gave them to friends who had just become a mum. Whatever the reason, they do make a special and meaningful gift, individually customised to each person.
Creating a Collection
After a few more months, I decided to add to the necklace and create a collection of birthstone jewellery items that could all be personalised to each individual.
In the same herringbone weave style, I added a ring, bangle, a brooch and earrings – and named the whole collection “Peas in a Pod”, with each ‘pea’ representing a child with their birthstone.
The idea was that all pieces in the collection could be individually customised – and therefore very personal – birthstone jewellery.
Customised Birthstones
BUT for each item within the collection, I needed to create an actual piece!
I always need to create prototypes in order to know how long it will take to make an item, what materials are required (and therefore I can price them), have the ability to photograph them (so I have something to show my customers on the website).
However each piece is customised to the person who will keep them – so how was I going to show this?
SO, I made each piece with the members of my family in mind.
The earrings take quite a while to lovingly make by hand, hence their price. These ones have garnets in them (January birthstone, for my daughter).
The bangle shown here has a clear, iridescent, Swarovski Crystal (instead of a diamond, for me, born in April), a Garnet & a Black Opal (for my husband, born in October).
The ring – I made for myself! It features a singular clear, iridescent, Swarovski Crystal (instead of a diamond, for me to wear, born in April).
The brooch shown below, I made for my own mother, as a Christmas gift. It contains two Sapphire Blue Swarovski Crystals (for my sister and brother – both born in September) and a clear one for me.
With Mother’s Day coming up in a few weeks, I thought this was the perfect time to talk about this collection – and how it came to be.
The earrings and ring can easily be made as a treasure to keep for yourself, especially as the ring is made to fit – so you need to know your finger size.
However the other pieces really do make a wonderful gift at any time of the year – especially for Mums of all ages. 😊
Who would you buy for, and what would you choose?
