A BEEKEEPER’s CUF
The brief:
A 40th Wedding Anniversary Gift for a Beekeeper's Wife
WIth their Ruby Wedding anniversary on the horizon a lovely husband wanted to mark the occasion with something meaningful and lasting. Jim knew his wife likes my work because she already wears a cuff which was made by me some years ago. So we planned a secret meeting to discuss the piece. Beekeeping is a very important part of their lives and elements of this industry needed to be at the heart of the design. As it was for a Ruby Wedding anniversary there was only one stone choice!
Etched Sterling Silver with oval Ruby cabochons
A detail of the cuff showing the old fashioned skeps...
...and a detail showing a modern WBC hive
THE DESIGN & MAKE PROCESS
Initially, I was contemplating the idea of incorporating a Queen Bee and honeycomb among the ruby flowers and bee hives that Jim had requested.
After further discussion, we settled on the final garden design, which features tiny bees.
I was able to introduce the Queen Bee when I later made an enamel plaque for a custom-made wooden box designed specifically for the cuff.
This is the cuff straight after the stone settings have been soldered - the heat of the torch has oxidised the surface and it is ready to be placed into a warm pickle (alum) to be cleaned