When a dear friend’s horse died, I wanted a way to preserve the joy in the middle of sadness, I wanted to give her a special gift, a memorial to celebrate that life. I cut a piece of the tail hair and looked for somewhere to get a bracelet made, but just couldn’t find what I wanted. I eventually came to realize that what I wanted to make – I would have to create myself, with my own hands. Such became the foundation of my business, and my life for the following years. I’ve always been creative – drawing and creating things was always an important part of my life, and I loved the life I saw in the animals that surrounded me.
I have also always been an extremely driven person. So, picking up on the creative, I researched methods, sourced some essentials, and made it myself. And then I made another one. And another after that. When people have such a close bond – a connection with their animals, it’s something unlike any other. A bond you won’t find in human relationships. My jewellery is a little like that, I suppose. You can’t get something that personal, that special to you – anywhere else.
I do remember the first bracelet keenly. I was so proud of it – although I’ve improved so much since then, the designs have thankfully always kept their emotional significance. I had the opportunity to make my jewellery using computer-aided design tools and machines – I always have. I could never bring myself to do this though. I try to make my jewellery more than a cold, perfectly engineered hunk of metal and rocks. As with the first bracelet, and as with every single one of my designs past, present and future : I made them all by hand, and attempted to imbue each and every one with personality.
Others saw the bracelet and began to ask me to make things for them – bracelets, pendants, rings, necklaces, stock pins, resin items for small amounts of hair, fur and ashes. A later request for pendants with horse teeth would eventually lead to gemstone carving. Certain rings would lead me on a journey to learn and master stone-setting from the best of the best. From there it spiralled and new items were constantly being added to my website and Facebook page – what had started out as a thoughtful gift to a grieving friend had become a full-time job.
Most of my items are my own designs, handcrafted by me, so they are not available anywhere else.
Other items such as some of the clasps and end caps are the results of collaborating with other artisans on Etsy and other platforms. I love working with precious metals, gemstones and of course – horse hair! Most of all I love creating something special and unique that will be treasured. My aim is to create a piece of art entwined in memories, not a simple accessory. And as I’ve said many a time in the past : if I don’t know how to make it – I’ll find out how.
Sarah Fox
Jeweller, artisan
