Animal and Pet Lovers Jewellery and Commissions

I am a huge animal lover and apparently sixty nine percent of the UK identify as such. I have had my Airedale Terrier, Rolo for six years and he brings me joy every day. He is my shop companion, as I work alone and, luckily he mostly lies calmly in my shop window. Truthfully more people come in to see him, than my jewellery and I am not surprised, he is gorgeous.

Animal-themed gifts, unique personalised items, are popular ways to celebrate our pets. I have had a few animal themed jewellery commissions, since I opened my shop in Tunbridge Wells, that I would like to share with you.

Wild Animal Jewellery 

Wild animals perform critical, often invisible work, protecting the environment and supporting human life on earth.

Zebra Earrings 

I loved travelling in Kenya and the beautiful majestic Zebras in the Masai Mara inspired these, 'Zebra' statement earrings. 

Hare Earrings 

I recently read Chloe Dalton's Raising Hare - I loved it. I worked with one of the few remaining wax carvers in the world to bring this intricate design to life. I love the way she captured the spirit of a hare and the detail of my sketches to help create this design. They are fiddly to put on as your ear sits in the middle between the two rabbit ears so they are not earrings to put on in a rush!

The Hare Earrings  are an unusual and playful design. 

Owl heart Amulet Necklace 

This handcrafted Owl Heart amulet pendant is made from hallmarked sterling silver and designed to embody both love and wisdom. Inspired by the African Adinkra symbol odo nyera fie kwan (“love always finds its way home”) and the ancient mythology of owls, this unique artisan silver pendant carries a powerful story.

The Owl Heart Amulet Necklace This design makes a unique and personal mythology-inspired jewellery gift. It also has a little bit of a cheeky monkey face!

Owl Ring 

I make this Owl ring in silver with a choice of yellow Sapphires or madeira Citrines for eyes. They are currently for sale on my website, Owl Ring.

18ct Gold Owl Ring 

I have also had two commissions to make the ring in gold. One of these was for a lady, who has loved owls since a child like me. The other, for a young man in the music industry, a present from his mother. They look fantastic in gold; what a statement they make with their glistening yellow sapphire eyes!

Silver and Oxidised Weasel Necklace 

I originally made this, weasel necklace for a solo show in Shropshire, celebrating the poetry of the then, Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy. Her poem ' Weasel Words' was the inspiration.

Oxidised Silver Lemming Bracelet 

This was a crazy commission, from a lady in America who has a 'thing' for lemmings. Lemmings are small, Arctic-dwelling rodents. The bracelet has seven lemmings chasing each others tails. My talented wax carver carved them for me in wax. She is fantastic and it is all done by hand, the traditional way.

Oxidised Silver Lemming Pendant 

There was one left over, so I decided to make it into a pendant, to be worn on a chain complimenting the bracelet.

Oxidised Silver Swan Cufflinks 

I was asked to make these cufflinks, as a special gift from the wife of a gentleman, who was about to become Master of the Vintner company. They were based around The Vintners’ Company emblem of two swans, flanking the heraldic crest. They were further personalised with the person’s initials. The grapes around the swans neck are a connection to my signature bobble texture.

Oxidised Silver Badger Paw Pendant Necklace and Silver Stick Pin 

This was a really lovely commission for a couple, who both work in the swimming world, coaching top athletes.This was a gift to his wife to mark a significant event in her career. It is a badger's paw stickpin and pendant to match his signet ring.

Pet Dog Jewellery

A pet dog's companionship and unconditional love knows no bounds. It’s absolutely limitless in its capacity, to influence our own comfort and happiness. They are always at the ready with a warm, wet nose to play, or to be cuddled. Unlike humans they don’t make excuses, they don’t screen calls, or dart down another aisle, when we catch sight of them in the supermarket. They are steadfastly there for us. They truly make you feel like a wanted companion. Dogs are frequently said to be, 'man’s best friend' and it’s true! Pet owners will spend so much of their time with their pets, it’s more like a member of the family, than just a friend.

Here are some of my pet dog commissions 

Whippet Necklace 

My Whippet necklace was such a joyful design to create. It started as a commission, a special gift for a whippet-lover, who wanted a piece of jewellery to celebrate their treasured whippet, Bert. The dog is wearing a collar to which the chain attaches like a lead. With my customer's permission, I've now added the necklace to my collection. Whippet Necklace 

Airedale Terrier Necklace 

A lady commissioned a silver necklace, featuring both her beloved and much missed Airedales.The result was very pleasing, but then I am biased, being a huge Airedale fan !

I have added a single Airedale Pendant, on a trace chain, to my collection . Airedale Pendant Necklace

Barry the Lagoto Romano Cufflinks 

These cufflinks were commissioned by a fellow dog-walker, to celebrate his Lagoto Romano Barry. The owner is a big fan of the cufflink and has collected many pairs over the years and wanted a pair representing his much loved canine companion.

Eliska Dog Locket Pendant 

I made a pendant necklace for a wonderful lady, which was in honour of her dog Eliska. She saw a locket that I had made for another customer, which was filled with seeds and she loved it. She wanted me to adapt the design, to include a miniature portrait of her dog. It was daunting and challenging to paint a dog in miniature, as I am not a painter, let alone a miniaturist. But having done it, she seemed happy with the locket. She often visited Rolo with gifts she adores dogs and is a very special person.