The Magic of the Planetary and Element Spinners
If you haven’t seen them yet, there are some very magical new little worlds in the studio.
The Planetary and Element Spinners are my latest silver talisman necklace charms, and I have to admit, I am completely under their spell. Each one holds a lampwork glass sphere, made by the amazing Sally Sutherland, set in silver so it can spin, move, catch the light and reveal all those beautiful layers hidden inside
Some are inspired by the elements, fire, water, air and earth. Others are more cosmic, like tiny planets, galaxies and starry skies you can carry with you. And because they spin, they never feel completely still.. They shift as you move, catching different colours, depths and little flashes of light throughout the day.
Which, really, feels a lot like us.
Always moving, changing, and being pulled towards something different depending on the season we are in.
When creativity goes wandering…
Creativity is a funny old thing.
Sometimes it arrives in full force and everything flows beautifully. The ideas come quickly, the bench feels alive, and every stone, charm, texture and shape seems to know exactly where it wants to go.
Then other times, it just disappears!
Gone on holiday, as I like to say.
After 18 years of making, I have learnt not to panic too much when that happens. I used to think I had to push through it, keep forcing ideas, keep sitting at the bench until something arrived. But creating from the soul does not really work like that. Sometimes the best thing I can do is step away from the studio, go somewhere different and let life fill the cup back up again.
This summer has had a little bit of that energy.
Longer days, being outside more, my daughter being home, the lovely chaos of life happening around the studio. It means I may be a little quieter in places, and the newsletters may not be flying out quite as often, but I think that is the rhythm of summer.
We gather little sparks without always realising it.
And then, usually when I stop trying so hard, the magic comes flooding back in.
The Spinning Elements
The Spinning Elements came from that place.
Fire, water, air and earth.
Each lampwork glass sphere has been created by the amazing Sally Sutherland, whose beads always feel like they have their own little universe inside them. I then set them in silver so they can spin, move, shift and reveal all that depth as they turn.
They are stamped with ancient symbols and made to feel like tiny elemental talismans.
And of course, each element has its own energy.
Fire Element
Fire belongs to Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. It feels bold, passionate and full of spark. It is the one for courage, action, warmth, confidence and that little inner flame that says, “Go on then, do it.
I am a Leo, so technically I should probably be reaching straight for Fire. But if I am completely honest, I have always been most drawn to Earth. There is something about it that feels like home to me. Being outside, feeling at one with nature, surrounded by greens, mossy tones, leaves, trees and all those grounding little textures, that is where I feel most myself. It also happens to be my favourite colour, so maybe Earth was always going to have my heart
Earth Element
Earth belongs to Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. It feels steady, grounding and deeply rooted. It is for coming home to yourself, finding your feet, feeling held, and remembering that slow growth is still growth.
Air Element
Air belongs to Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. It feels light, curious and full of thought. It is for the dreamers, the thinkers, the ones who need space, movement, ideas and a little bit of freedom around them.
Water Element
Water belongs to Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. It feels intuitive, emotional and beautifully deep. It is for the ones who feel everything, move with the tides, trust their instincts and know that softness is never the same as weakness.
But I don’t think you always have to choose the element you were born under.
Sometimes you are pulled towards the one you need more of. Maybe you are a Fire sign craving a little Earth to steady you. Maybe you are an Air sign wanting more Water and feeling. Maybe you simply see a colour, a symbol or a tiny spinning sphere and something in you says, “That one.”
Jewellery does not always need to be explained.
The Planetary Spinners
And then came the Planetary Spinners.
An ode to planets, stars, galaxies and all the strange beautiful things happening above us while we are down here making tea, walking the dog, answering messages and trying to remember what day it is.
I love the thought of these little spheres spinning away out in the world now. Every time they fly out, I imagine them being turned between fingers, catching the light in kitchens, gardens, cars, studios and little everyday moments. That fills my heart right up!
The Planetary Spinners feel a little more cosmic. A little more starry-eyed.
They are for the ones who who love the moon, the night sky, the mystery, the sparkle, and the idea that we are all just tiny moving pieces in a much wider universe.
There is something very soothing about that, I think.
A reminder that everything moves in cycles. Creativity, energy, seasons, confidence, grief, joy, inspiration. It all comes and goes and nothing is fixed forever. Even the planets are spinning.