JEWELLERY PIECES

ConeBush

The botanical name for the common sunshine conebush is Leucodendron salignum and it is probably the most common species of the protea family in South Africa.

Like all leucadendrons, there are separate male and female plants. The example depicted on my jewellery is a female flower head. They flower between the months of April and November when they are pollinated by beetles. The winged seeds remain in the woody cone until they are released after a fire and then they are distributed by the wind…

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Cape climber

The Cissampelos capensis is a woody climbing plant that tends to sprawl over other bushes. It is quite widespread in South Africa and found all the way from Namaqualand, round the coast to Port Elizabeth as well as in the Little Karoo.

Its leaves are heart-shaped, and it bears inconspicuous green flowers. The root, or rhizome, has a characteristic star-shaped pattern on cross-section and is prized for its use in traditional medicines…

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ACACIA

The name Acacia is derived from the ancient Greek word, akis, which means thorn or barb.

The Acacia is also referred to as the thorn tree or the mimosa. The Acacia depicted on my jewellery is the widespread Acacia karroo, now classified botanically as Vachellia karroo.

The small flowers have five very tiny petals, almost entirely hidden by the long stamens which are arranged in dense, globular yellow or cream-coloured clusters. Over the years a purpose has been found for every part of this tree…

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ALBUCA

This is a perennial bulb found predominantly in southern and eastern Africa.

The stems of the plant are fleshy and have a mucoid sap that has earned the plant the unfortunate common name of “slime lily”.

In some species, the flowers are held erect on the stem while in others they droop and only some have scented flowers, and then evident mostly at night…

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Fynbos

During the development of this collection I needed to design a backplate for the brooches and pendants that was in keeping with their botanical theme. The silver backplate needed to be open and light, while still maintaining structural support for the wooden disc and the brooch pin.

This stylised design emerged out of a page of doodling while I was working on possible designs and it seemed a pity to put this design on the back of a brooch or pendant. I then placed the low domed wooden cabouchon in the centre of the circle of leaves, turning it into a stand…

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