Author: Corinne

Inside the Jewellery Box

Hi Everyone! Corinne here writing directly to you in this blog post. As the owner, designer and maker here at A Silver Circle, one of the most frequent questions I get asked is, ‘You must have so much jewellery?!’ and the answer us always, ’no, not really’. As much as I love all of the pieces I make, I do not own all of them. So, today I am going to run you through what my jewellery collection looks like and how I go about selecting my jewellery for the day.

My jewellery collection is stored on a shelf surrounded by beautiful smelling body oil, cute travel ornaments which also double as earring stands and my go to hair accessories. I love having an inspiring little corner to find my favourite additions to any outfit.

My jewellery collection is made up of two types of jewellery pieces: Collection pieces and Samples/One of a Kind pieces. So they are separated into sections. Lets dive in!

COLLECTION PIECES

The below pieces are all from the current ASC collection.

RINGS

These are my constant companion. I rarely change them and don’t take them off so rings are the pieces that need to survive my lifestyle and go with everything i own.

Silver Hexagon Ring – I wear this ring on the ring finger on my right hand. It is the perfect one for this finger as it is a statement piece that is super light and easy to wear for all parts of my life. I once decided to switch it out but it made its return pretty quickly! It hasn’t left since then.

Circle Ring with Domes – This is the second one I have owned in this style. The first one was gifted to my beautiful friend Iris, as she was leaving to move back to her home town of Toronto, Canada. Easy to wear yet a statement piece, i move this one around a few fingers depending on mood.

Amazonite Ring – I have not taken off this ring since I first made it! I am actually still wearing the initial prototype for this piece and I absolutely love love love it! it is great to layer with my Twisted Ring and Hammered Ring, but can also work as a stand-alone piece. The calming energy of the stone is a great reminder to let things go, and an added bonus is that the colour compliments everything in my wardrobe!

PENDANTS

With pendants, i do swap them out, though i will usually have a staple piece for a few days that is shorter and then change it up with or without the addition of long chains.

Nava Deco Pendant – This piece was one that took me a long time to hone in on the design of. I had it floating around in my head and just couldn’t quite figure it out. Finally, it came into being and it has been a staple piece for me ever since. I adore the way it captures the light and has a nice movement to it. It is perfect framed when I wear my longer necklaces!

Islamic Stone Pendant – Simply put, I love this piece! I have a lot of shades of navy, turquoise, and purple in my wardrobe so the Turquoise stone always matches with my outfits. It also helps to soothe my ever-fidgeting hands to have something to play with as I rotate the stone around.

Ladder Pendant – This one is a bit of fun, and I wear it whenever I am feeling a little quirky! I love seeing people’s reactions when they realise what it is. It is so simple in its lines, yet still makes a statement with how much it pops against a solid colour top, such us with navy, teal, and maroon colours.

EARRINGS

Earrings are my go to piece to make an outfit. They can be the feature and these 3 are my go to pieces to make the outfit pop.

Maya Fan Earrings – This is from one of my more recent collections. Since its inception, I have been grabbing these as the ‘go with everything’ piece whenever I want an effortlessly stylish look. They are lightweight yet statement size and are great for day and night, so I don’t need to change when going to dinner from a day in the studio.

Islamic Stone Earrings – This is the only matching set I own. Personally, I have never been big on matching jewellery, but I adore this set with the Islamic Stone Pendant. I alternate between wearing them separately and together. This collection was created from my love to travel and architecture, and I am transported back to those places every time I wear them.

Geometric Earrings – I own the Hexagon shape of these, which match my ring from the same collection. I have had these for so so many years and they are still a go to favourite of mine. I love the sound they make! It is like having light, delicate wind chimes on my ears (not annoyingly so – trust me!). These are always a best seller and I am a big advocate as to why.

HAIR PIN

Small 2 Piece Hair Pin – I originally made the hair pins to tame my waist length locks and I didn’t realise how much I would love them at the time. I have this piece in both the Diamond and Teardrop shapes. This is a rarity for me to have more than one variation of an item. They are perfect for that half up, half down hairstyle when I want to get my hair out of my face.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS: I couldn’t put everything in, but I will mention a couple of other go to’s are the Teardrop Pendant with Figure (Reading Girl figure – she is me!), Blue Lotus Short Earrings, and the Textured Medium Ring (perfect in a ring stack).

SAMPLES AND ONE OF A KIND

Not many people realise what each collection piece goes through before they are put into production. I am always making samples or prototypes of my ideas once they have made it to the final design process. I will then wear each piece to test it for at least 2 weeks constantly to see if there are any practical issues.

Rose Quartz Heart Pendant – After having a particularly hard couple of weeks, I felt called to create a pendant with the Heart Chakra and healing in mind. When I got to the studio, I found this beautiful Rose Quartz (good for healing!) and the creation just flowed. This would usually take me a day or two to create and I finished it in 3 hours! It was truly meant to be.

African Blackwood Chain Earrings – I was gifted some rare pieces of African Blackwood from a friend and I knew I wanted to make something out of them, just like the above piece, it just flowed. These are a more statement piece that I love to wear with lots of colour. The chain movement is a lot of fun too.

Maya Oval Earring Sample – This just didn’t quite work for the collection, but as I do not own the collection version, this is a great go-to piece instead. The size and pattern were changed as the proportion wasn’t quite right for the collection. They are still super cute and go with everything.

Overall, it is so interesting how these pieces can become such a big part of our lives. I use my jewellery to express to the world who I am and what I love. Through colour and form, it is referring to where I have been and where I want to be.

I hope you all have enjoyed a little delve into my jewellery collection. I would love to hear your stories of how your ASC piece has become a part of your life. Share via our socials or via email asilvercircledesign@gmail.com.

xx Corinne

The Signs are clear!

Symbolism is something all around us, but how often do we look into the meaning of these symbols or the history of their origin. There have been so many ancient symbols retained and commonly used today. Symbols have power and it is this inspiration that was the driving force behind the Signs Collection.

Bringing the meaning and energy of symbolism combined with the power of semi precious stones, this collection is here to help guide and facilitate the wearer. From wanting to attract wealth, repel negative energy, be open to change or to ease a frantic mind, the 4 sets of pendants and earrings of the Signs Collection are here to help.

The outside shape of these pieces were inspired by the forms of door ways and arch ways. Passing through a door of a spiritual building is said to cleanse someone of the past and let them move towards a brighter future. I really liked this idea and how it not only drew from my love of Architecture but also embodied the overall theme of creating an energetic shift.

PROTECTION

This piece was the driving force of the collection. As someone who has had a hard time being around too many people all at once, I wanted a pendant that was easy to wear and layer that was going to repel all those negative energies and keep me grounded when out in the world. The Eye of Horus was the perfect companion symbol for it, as well as a Black Tourmaline stone.

Delve into the meaning behind each element to bring more Protection into your life.

Eye of Horus – Known also as the Wadjet, this magical symbol is believed to provide protection, health, and rejuvenation. Due to its powerful protective powers, the Eye of Horus was popularly used by the ancient Egyptians, both the living and the dead, as amulets. Even today, the Eye of Horus continues to be used as a symbol of protection.

Black Tourmaline – Black Tourmaline is a protective stone which repels and blocks negative energies and psychic attack. Black Tourmaline also aids in the removal of negative energies within a person or a space. Black Tourmaline will cleanse, purify, and transform dense energy into a lighter vibration.

To vibe with the Protection Earrings click here.
To get to know the Protection Pendant click here.

ABUNDANCE

As a small business owner, i have always been looking for ways to bring more abundance my way as income in this line of work can be so sporadic. So i wanted to bring that energy of the Citrine stone (which i always have in the money corner of my studio) to a piece you can carry with you. I found i was drawn to the Hamsa before i had any idea about its meaning. Once i read its history, i really resonated with it and found it was a great pair with Citrine to embody the energy of abundance.

Read a little more about each element to bring more abundance, wealth and happiness your way.

Hamsa – The Hamsa symbol also represents the hand of God, is believed to promote health, happiness, good luck and fortune. There is also the ancient belief that wearing a Hamsa symbol will intercept negative or evil energy. If negative or evil thoughts are projected at you, the Hamsa symbol will ward off the evil energy and protect you from negative energy or even harm.

Citrine – Citrine energises every level of life.. It cleanses the chakras and opens the intuition.  Citrine attracts wealth, prosperity and success.

Bring more wealth to your life with the Abundance Earrings and Pendant

CALM

This piece is one that was very familiar to me as I have been working with Amazonite stones for a little while now and love wearing its calming energy. I wanted to enhance this energy through its pairing with the Lotus Flower to really embody the feeling of being in a mindful or meditative state. With so many of us rushing from one thing to the next (myself included), it was essential to find that reminder of stillness and coming back to centre.

Lotus – The meaning of the lotus flower symbol is derived from the flower’s life cycle, where all humans are born into a world of suffering where they must learn to overcome difficult times so that they can become a better person and reach spiritual enlightenment. A common symbol used in yoga and meditation to represent calm of mind.

Amazonite – This stone is also referred to as a Stone of Truth and Stone of Courage, as well as creating a calming energy. Amazonite is empowering, facilitating self-discovery, self-awareness and the ability to embrace one’s own integrity and truths.

Bring more tranquility into your life with the Calm Earrings and Pendant

TRANSFORMATION

This piece was one that just fell into place. Something that most people can find quite scary. I being Scorpio embrace the changes that happen in our lives as a guide to a better place. Sometimes change is hard and we need to be reminded that from those dark places, there is light and there is so much to look forward to. This piece embodies that positive energy of transforming. Whether its your mindset or your situation, something big or small, these little releases can guide you to some amazing things.

Scarab Beetle – Egyptian religion the scarab was also a symbol of immortality, resurrection, transformation and protection much used in funerary art.

Labradorite – A stone of transformation, Labradorite is a useful companion through change, imparting strength and perseverance.  It balances and protects the aura, raises consciousness and grounds spiritual energies. 

Bring positive change into your life with the Transformation Earrings and Pendant.

I hope you all have been as inspired by symbols as i have in the exploration of this collection. We would love to hear from you! What are some of your favourite symbols and why. Reach out on our socails or via the comments box.

xx Corinne

8 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR CREATIVITY WHILST STAYING HOME

Creativity begins at home, and with the current situation we’re facing, this is where we are spending more of our time. This is the perfect opportunity for reflecting on and investing in our inner growth with fewer worldly distractions. To make the most of this, we at A Silver Circle are here to help you discover and recover your creative self.

Whether you are a professional creative or simply seeking a creative outlet, we believe that tuning into your inner artist is a wonderful form of therapy. Whether you like to design, write, craft or produce, any act of creativity should be enjoyed for the sake of self-expression! So it doesn’t matter what your stage in life or walk of life, we have put together a list of 8 simple activities you can do to help exercise your creative muscles!

Our first two exercises are drawn from Julia Cameron’s well-renowned book The Artists Way (1991) which our very own Corinne is reading and already finding amazing results!

Morning Pages:
This exercise is what the Artists Way is most known for. Three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, ideally done first thing in the morning. This might seem like a bit of a feat for your every day. However, there is no wrong way to do Morning Pages. They can take any structure you like, and be about anything and everything that crosses your mind – and they are for your eyes only, so you don’t even have to worry about neat handwriting! This exercise unclogs your mental and emotional channels, getting rid of anything that might be in the way of your happiness, productivity and creativity. No need to overthink it.

Artist’s Date:
This is all about drawing inspiration from things around you. So what does an Artist’s Date look like under life in lockdown? Going for a (state-approved) walk by yourself to get some fresh air, with no particular destination in mind, observing your surrounds and allowing yourself to wander peacefully can go a long way. An indoor Artists Date can look like watching a documentary or looking into some art books to expand the horizon of your mind and eye. Our go to art books are on Patterns, Surrealism and Art Nouveau!

Declutter:
Take a look at the physical space around you. Are there things that you no longer use or need? Is there a way to make more room for the things you do need? Decluttering your bedroom or your closet is a great way to not only clear the space you live in but also your head space – which is also a place we live. When we are free of what is distracting or blocking us, we make more room to create. For detailed tips on how to declutter, we recommend looking into famous organising consultant, Marie Kondo, who has written four books and has her own show on Netflix, as well as the book Outer Order, Inner Calm (2019) by Gretchen Rubin.

Decorate:
Love the space you’re in! Decorating to your style is the next step in forming a space which you not only can think clearly and happily in but also be creative in. Really make your living space your own by putting up whatever you find beautiful and inspiring. What style do you gravitate towards? Bohemian, eclectic, minimal and fresh, modern? The more personal you make it, the more you’ll enjoy just being in that space. If possible, carve out your own designated creative space where you have all your tools and mood-boards to encourage productivity. In the ASC studio which is full of natural light, indoor plants, gemstones and vibrant images, we are able to draw inspiration from our surroundings as we work.

Media Detox:
With more time at home these days, our screen time may have also gone up significantly. Make sure to take long breaks from binge watching that Netflix show or scrolling through Instagram and perhaps even from the news, in order to reduce the noise that can often take hold of our minds and even make us anxious. Give yourself time to enjoy silence and the natural world around you, listening to your incoming thoughts and ideas. A media detox one hour before bed will promote better quality sleep, and in turn, a well-rested and clear mind. Taking care of your body is also like taking care of your capacity to create.

Reading:
Stimulate your mind and your imagination by diving into a book that you find interesting or inspiring. There are so many genres and topics to choose from: fiction, non-fiction, philosophy, psychology, science, etc. Learning about the world and seeing through new perspectives can often strike you with ideas and fill you with lasting inspiration. At ASC we particularly love reading up on ancient cultures, architecture and spiritually, which we then are able to translate into our designs.

Sketching:
Take up a pencil or a pen, or whatever medium you prefer, and make a quick sketch of your ideas. If you don’t have any ideas, sketch what you see around you in your home or the view from your window. Try to see these familiar things in a new light. Your sketches don’t all have to be good. Focus on the process; it is more about the practice! Your free hand sketches don’t have to make sense to anyone else, as long as you’re able to get some sort of idea out. You can then refine and hone in on them later. Don’t hold back on your self-expression! To uncover more possibilities, we suggest trying experimental drawing, for example, not looking at your paper as you draw or continuous line drawing.

Meditation:
Set aside some minutes in your day for mindfulness. Focus your mind to access your reality, your feelings; what you are grateful for, what is important to you, what you would like to work towards even just for the day. Meditation is very personal, and can be done in many different ways. Try to find what works best for you so that you can refresh your mind and increase your self-awareness. Working towards inner peace allows for your inner artist to flourish.

Remember that art is not a thing, but a way! We can try all sorts of activities to be more creative but at the end of the day what is most important is the mindset with which we do them. Allow yourself to be more open, more patient and kinder to yourself in order to discover what you are capable of. With these eight simple yet holistic exercises you can do from the comfort of your home, we hope this helps you to do precisely that!

We would love to hear how you go! Perhaps you have your own tips and tricks to boost your creative energy; don’t be shy to share them with us. Leave a comment here on the blog or get in touch through our Facebook or Instagram.

Happy creating!

Dress how you want to feel: Women of Influence

Style is such a personal and subjective thing. We are always told that your style is a way of expressing who you are, but who you are is always evolving and therefore your style is too. With each new person you are exposed to, you will be influenced by their energy, their style and what they are creating. Here at A Silver Circle, we love to dress how we want to feel and embodying a sister who goes after life in their own unique way is great influence on us.

In light of International Women’s Day in March, we at A Silver Circle have been reflecting on women that inspire us and the brand. So it’s only fitting this month for the blog that we have compiled a list of four different iconic women who boldly expressed themselves through their personal style and their art form. We have had so much fun matching each A Silver Circle piece to the spirit of each of these amazing women.

Read on to be inspired, and perhaps see how your own personal style might embody theirs!

STEVIE NICKS

Known as the Goddess of Rock, Stevie Nicks, exudes an edgy confidence both on and off stage. As the first female solo artist to be inducted twice into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, she is a fierce pioneer in her industry who has powered her way through her career, not caring about what others think of her. Now in her 70s she refuses to slow down, still continuing to rock the stage in her signature sparkly shawls, flared-sleeved, lacey, dark looks.

On days you want to channel your inner boho rock, here are our selection of ASC pieces that would add the perfect edge to your outfit! The Geometric Earrings are perfect to add a bit of movement to your look. Pair it with the Black Tourmaline Drop Pendant, Moonstone Ring, Twisted Rings and the Silver Hexagon Ring and you will be belting out some classic Fleetwood Mac tunes and dancing in your living room before you know it!

VIRGINIA WOOLF

One of the most important writers of the 20th century, Virginia Woolf was an excellent mind, a lover of language and a keen observer of the modern world. Aside from her critically acclaimed novels, especially Mrs. Dalloway (1925) and To the Lighthouse (1927), she also wrote pioneering essays on artistic theory, literary history, women’s writing, and the politics of power. Although Woolf was not a big fan of the spotlight she received, she pursued her passion with intelligence, determination and an understated feminine grace.

For the minimalist in all of us, here are timeless ASC pieces that will highlight your feminine elegance and modern classic side. The Bar Link Chain is timeless simplicity that can be styled layered with the Curved Bar Necklace or singular. Pair it with the Textured Small Ring and Plain Layering Rings with the classic Domed Patterned Medium Earrings.

JONI MITCHELL

An icon of the Woodstock generation, Joni Mitchell is loved for her comforting songs of love and suffering which she sings in her beautiful soprano voice. As a folk artist in the 70s, many of her songs also reflect social and environmental ideals which go hand in hand with her bright, wholesome, gypsy personality. Her youthfulness also translated into her fashion sense of flowy dresses and earthy colours.

For when you want to embody that free gypsy spirit, here are some ASC pieces that draw inspiration from nature and will bring you good energy. The Branch Pendant is the perfect way to connect to the earth element. Paired with the Teardrop Earrings with Figures for some whimsy, a couple of 9ct Plain Gold Rings and the Rhodonite Ring. Along with the Organics Pendant you can embody your connection to nature and embody the Joni Mitchell spirit.

FRIDA KAHLO

One of the most distinguished artists in history, Mexican painter Frida Kahlo is a household name. She is most well-known for her self-portraits inspired by nature and cultural artefacts of Mexico, exploring questions of identity, gender, post colonialism and class. Following her death, the feminist movement of the 1970s led to renewed interest in her life and work, and Kahlo is now viewed by many as an icon of female creativity. Her strong sense of culture and her vibrant and eclectic persona boldly came through her artworks as well as her dress – colourful and patterned.

At ASC we are inspired by her spirit and her play with shapes and colours. To embody the Frida spirit, we love to express our unique and more creative side. The pieces we love to wear are the Maya Fan Earrings and Islamic Stone Pendant paired with some a little pop of colour with the Amazonite Ring, the one of a kind Oval Ring with Domes and the Bar Ring.

Inside the Studio

Curious about where all the magic happens? We want to take you inside the ASC studio for you to get a better look at the creative space in which the ideas for A Silver Circle jewellery are birthed and brought to life! Step into our humble abode filled not just with handy tools but also with character and life.

Walking into the studio, you’re greeted with beautiful natural light spilling through the large windows, feeding the number of vibrant greenery scattered around the room. Working alongside nature is essential to maintaining the connection to nature and living things that underpins all the designs of A Silver Circle.

The studio also houses a wide collection of books! So so many books which are used for research and inspiration as well as lunch time escapes. Corinne enjoys a good read with a cup of tea while sitting on the studio’s comfy couch. This homey touch encourages necessary and well-deserved rest throughout the working day, as moments of relaxation and mindfulness are key for the creative juices to flow!

There’s also plenty of desk space for the business side of things to take place, making sure everything we need to do is planned and executed in order to communicate with and get our beautifully crafted pieces to you, our lovely customers!

And, of course, we can’t forget to show you the side of the studio where A Silver Circle jewellery are sustainably handcrafted. The many tools are organised against a colourful backdrop, hand-painted by Corinne herself! From soldering to shaping and stamping, each step of the process is done right here. At any given time in the studio there are always pieces of jewellery in different stages of completion so it is an ever-changing space where you can see every step come together to form the A Silver Circle brand.

Moodboards are essential part of the space and they help visualise the particular vision of not only the brand, but the new collections. This is a part of the studio that is always changing and evolving as the inspiration and focus changes. Currently featured on our mood board is some textures, blues, purple and pink tones as well as some spiritual symbols from astrology and tarot.

The stones and crystals found here and there as well as daily affirmation cards infuse a spiritual connection within the studio which is important to Corinne and her creative process. These special touches not only create a positive atmosphere but flow into the meaning behind our jewellery giving it more depth and connection to then pass on to its new owners.

We hope you have enjoyed a little glimpse into the space. Of course you can come see it for yourself when you book one of A Silver Circles Workshops. They are a great way to get your own creative juices flowing in a homely and welcoming space. Check out our Workshops page for more details.