The Joy and Mourning Collection was created to bring a sense of balance to our personal sphere in a time that feels incredibly unstable. This is a series infused with the concept of yin and yang, a concept from Chinese philosophy that describes how seemingly opposite forces are interdependent and interconnected in the natural world. My hope is that the pieces in this collection will act as amulets to help balance and comfort anyone who seeks their aid.

THE SCENTS

The ability to enjoy the smell of beautiful things is one of life’s greatest joys.

In this collection of “Joy and Mourning” I focused on scents that comfort the spirit and uplift the soul. Incense made with chamomile and sandalwood to calm the nerves. Zinnia studded bath soak infused with warm rosey Aphrodite Oil to help relax the body and empower the heart. Soaps and Botanical Perfumes that connect us to natures healing powers and remind us of life’s sacred moments.

We carry scent memories with us for our entire lifetimes. Scent also has the power to bring us back into the present as we “take a moment to smell the roses”. It can be an agent for so much hope and beauty in this lifetime while also being a comfort while navigating hard times.

THE JEWELRY

Mourning : each piece in this collection was created as a comforting symbol of remembrance for those who have lost a loved one.

These pieces are inspired by ancient mourning jewelry traditionally worn to commemorate the life of a deceased loved one. It is no longer a custom to mourn our dead publicly. It can feel like we are expected not to allow loss to disrupt our lives and productivity in the workplace. But, there is a reason for the mourning customs and rituals of our ancestors. They connected us to each other and helped us process grief and the human experience together. This made us stronger and more resilient. It bonded us to each other. It reminded us of our loved ones and a life lived.

In making this collection I am not trying to glorify the past, but instead hoping to continue traditions that rooted us and supported us as a people and community.

These modern pieces are handmade with copper and sterling silver using traditional metalsmithing techniques. Ranging from bolo ties to earrings to bangles, each piece is unique.

The oxidized copper bolo ties each have a hand painted flower on a glass tile. Each flower tile has a matching “twin” tile of opposite color and orientation. When the collection is complete and all pieces have been claimed, part of the beauty of this project is that two people (possibly strangers to each other) will wear their pieces and be connected. Adding that additional layer as a comfort.

Each pair of earrings is adorned with dangling copper and sterling silver pieces that create a quiet chime when worn to uplift the spirit

The stones used are rough Whitby jet and polished Chinese jet. Jet is a semiprecious gemstone made from fossilized trees and plants that has been used in mourning jewelry since the 1600s and centuries before that in ancient rituals. It has a grounding, protective, and balancing energy, ideal for those who are feeling fragile and out of sorts.

MAKING THE JEWELRY:

Making the jewelry for the Joy and Mourning Collection was pretty special. Here are a few clips of the process and the last slide is a video of Linda Whitney @whitneydesignsltd lending me a helping hand/torch with a part I was stuck on. Who are the Whitney’s you ask?

In 2010 I moved from Chicago back to Florida and responded to a Craigslist ad for a production assistant position helping a couple in their jewelry and fine art studio, @whitneydesignsltd . The years I spent working for the Whitney’s changed my life in many ways. Linda and John Whitney not only taught me the fine craft of traditional metal smithing, they also shaped my outlook of what it meant to own a successful small business and how to treat your employees with respect and kindness. Their craftsmanship is impeccable as is their creativity and design work. They also happen to be truly wonderful human beings. I feel really lucky to know them. You can find their work locally and all around the country at galleries, museums, and shops including our local @florida_craftart_gallery and online

This is my first time exploring jewelry design and it was very special to be able to ask the Whitney’s for their guidance. I never would have guessed that the frustration of my dinky torch just not cutting it would open the door for me to spend time with Linda and John again in their studio. Pretty damn cool.

THANK YOU

And lastly, thank you for taking the time to learn about this collection and for supporting my work. This is my first time exploring releasing a collection of this sort. In my mind, is part of a larger art installation I am working on and hope to bring to fruition in the years to come. But, that is a tale for another time. Have a wonderful rest of your summer.

Thank you

Kim