A necklace fit for a Princess!
Wed, 26 Jun 2013 13:27:00 BST
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University Campus Barnsley graduate Sarah Catterall was selected to create a bespoke piece of jewellery for the occasion, which was presented to Princess Beatrice on the day by our Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan. Sarah graduated this year with 1st class honours in Interdisciplinary Art & Design.
Sarah was chosen as her work is very well made and as it happens quite appropriate with her fairy tale inspired work made during her final year, a collection of which is the ‘Princess and the Pea’. As Sarah’s pieces are on display in the final year show at The Civic Gallery in Barnsley until 12 July (http://www.barnsleycivic.co.uk/) it was decided that the best option would be to create a bespoke piece specifically for the occasion.
Sarah was given a brief, but not told who it was for. With less than a week to complete it she went home and set to work. The next day Sarah presented her ideas to Senior Lecturer Rachel Brown and Technician Richard Turner at the University Campus Barnsley. The best design was selected and then refined.
Here’s what Sarah had to say: “I was thrilled about having the opportunity to continue designing and creating. Having just completed my final pieces I still had the momentum and many designs in mind to continue developing. That evening I drew out pages of designs, from really intricate to fairly simple, all based on the Princess and the Pea, (which I now realise was quite apt.) We then chose and refined the most appropriate design. Late nights were involved and I even took the piece to my eldest daughter’s judo class to continue to work on it!
It was only really during the last day when I was doing the final finishing and polishing that I allowed myself to think ‘who is this for?’ It was then I became really nervous. I was only told when the piece was completed and handed over, who it was going to be for – I was surprised, flattered and humbled. It has since been quite surreal thinking that my necklace is now in the ownership of a ‘real princess’ to quote the book itself – this just doesn’t happen.
I aim to continue with my work and to develop further my fairy tale inspired collections. I am currently refining many designs that I have considered throughout my course and will be starting work on them soon. I would like to think that a potential career of creating not simply jewellery, but portable art and mini wearable sculptures is on the horizon for me. I also hope that I have the opportunity to work on more commissions as that part was thoroughly enjoyable, but next time I’ll know who it is for!”
Sarah made the necklace in just three and a half days, as well as the presentation box with a pull-out guide, including the following information:
“My small sculptural jewellery designs are developed from a wide variety of inspirations and starting themes such as Fairy Tales, nature and fine art. This piece is inspired by the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale ‘Princess and the Pea’. The necklace can be worn multiple ways with a brushed satin finish to one side and a high polish to the other. The stones are on a horizontal axis allowing the setting to rotate. The bumped line rising through the hand pierced layers is representational of the pea through the many layers of mattresses which is echoed in the striations of the chosen gemstones. Gold details emphasise the bumped line. The red Carnelian stone is the birth stone that responds to the zodiac sign of Leo. The presentation box is made to stand alone and so can be displayed and enjoyed when the necklace is not worn. Laminated birch plywood has been shaped and constructed to hold the piece for display. The book reveals the essence of the story told in a few simple words. (only – a – real – princess) “You see”, they said to each other, “our princess is a real princess. She is a very special person indeed!”
To find out more about Sarah Catterall and her jewellery visit: www.sarahcatterall.co.uk
Facebook: Sarah Catterall Contemporary Jewellery
