Be Still My Jingling Hearts

I have long admired tribal jewellery, and irregularly window-shop on eBay for pieces. Of course there is plenty of costume jewellery, cheaply made and generic, but this necklace rather captured my heart because it was made from vintage textiles. An Afghan immigrant or refugee had made it  – whether this is actually true, or a selling tool I can’t confirm, except that the seller at Sirik did tell me after I had already made the purchase.

Composed of textile rimmed mirrored hearts, the necklace is strung with hundreds of seed beads and tiny bells. It was the colour palette that initially caught my eye: a very bright lemon yellow, orange and cerulean beads, and brass bells. The seller also informed me that the necklace would need to have a clasp attached: I chose to use an acid yellow grosgrain ribbon that is tied in a big bow on the back of the neck.

The bells of course tinkle constantly, which can be a little distracting. My work colleagues, when I wore this outfit on Friday, were remarkably forgiving. I was astounded how much attention the necklace drew however, strangers literally stopped me in the street, and sales assistants were equally effusive. It’s what I call a real heart-stopper of a necklace!