Spare Parts, or Lace Camouflage?

I am rather like a magpie when it comes to jewellery. I have collected a lot of pieces in my travels – literally, overseas; vintage and second hand pieces in boutiques and charity stores; and modern pieces by contemporary jewellers and labels, both in brick-and-mortar stores and online.

It is unusual and curious pieces that catch my eye. This white enamelled cast metal bead necklace was one such piece. It attracted me because it made me think of lace, or filigree; it was sculptural; and it was white, a favourite hue of mine to wear. I had also thought that perhaps I could pull it apart and use the components to repurpose into new jewellery.

The only time I donned it was for a photoshoot to accompany a story on the colour Wedgwood blue (although I didn’t use it in the final shot). When it came to actually wearing it out however, I didn’t. It just never felt right. There was something about it that seemed somehow dowdy – I could imagine old ladies wearing it with their Laura Ashley floral dresses. I liked the necklace as an object, merely, it seemed. I also like it as a picture, especially camouflaged against the lace fabric – maybe that is the answer, to wear it with a lace dress?

Hmmm, this calls for further experimentation. The fate of this necklace hangs in the balance!

Photos: September, 2013