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WRITE CONNECTIONS

CHLOE O’BRIEN SCULPTURAL JEWELLERY PRESERVES MESSAGES FROM THE PAST
AND BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO THEM.

  • PHOTOGRAPHY BY EDWIN HO
    SHOT AT ANRÁN STUDIO
Jewellery by Chloe O'Brien
Top Left
‘Miss Marie’ ring in recycled silver with 1900s postcard folded form.
Top Middle
Postcard net necklaces with 1900s postcards in folded forms and sterling silver chain.
Bottom Left
Oval rings in sterling silver with hammered detail.
Bracelet in sterling silver with textured charms and 1900s postcard detail.
Top Right
‘Calais’ Earrings in oxidised, recycled silver with etched detailing and 1900s postcards.
Bottom Right
‘Fine Weather For Tennis’ brooch in recycled silver with etched detailing and 1900s postcard folded form.

Chloe O'Brien

Jewellery designer Chloe O’Brien has always been fascinated with the written word, especially in the form of postcards.

Each postcard is a repository of memories and stories. But with electronic communication such as email and texting, and social media like Facebook becoming the norm, traditional forms of communication have almost been forgotten. “I hope to be able to use my jewellery to communicate to others that traditional means of interaction remain beautiful, important, and worthwhile,” says Chloe.

Using vintage postcards and reworked metal, she creates one-off designs in the shape of earrings, pendants, rings and bracelets. Her passion for sustainable materials was sparked while she was studying for her jewellery and silversmithing degree. She was given pieces of unwanted silver jewellery which she melted down for her pieces, and she incorporated this into her design philosophy, recreating something old into something new.
Sourcing for the raw materials is a process that depends much on serendipity. “Finding postcards is like looking for treasure!” says Chloe. “I am always searching vintage shops, charity shops or markets to find a card which is truly unique and narrates a wonderful story from days gone by. I am particularly interested in those from the early 1900s, because of the fluidity of the handwriting, the soft and caring language, and the thought given from each sender. The colouring of the stamps and the postage marks are what attract me and I select sections to fit with my designs.”
As postcards are fragile and combustible, she cannot use a jeweller’s torch to solder them in the settings. Instead, she uses cold connections, which are methods that do not require a flame to join the postcards to the silver. Rivets, tabs or claw settings are some of the techniques used and the process can be extremely time-consuming and complicated. The postcards are protected with a waterproof sealant but wearers need to exercise caution and avoid direct contact with water, soap and perfume, which can damage the delicate paper.

Chloe gives each piece names inspired by the messages on the postcards, such as the Miss Marie ring and Fine Weather For Tennis brooch featured here.
Her love for words has also translated into a range of personalised bangles stamped with quotes or messages requested by her customers.
“These are very popular for anniversaries and birthdays. I love the variety of words I have to stamp, each bracelet being completely unique to that person,” she adds.
She has also custom-made two sets of wedding rings for friends and family, a project that is especially meaningful.
“Knowing we have created their wedding bands together for them to wear through their marriage is very important to me,” she says.

"I hope I use my jewellery to communicate to others that traditional means of interaction remain beautiful, important and worth while"


To see more of her work, visit www.chloeobrienjewellery.com.

Chloe and partner Max Eastwood opened ‘Me and East’ in September 2017, a unique lifestyle shop celebrating the beauty of craft, craftsmen and handmade. For more information go to www.meandeast.com.