You Can Take It With You

"... carry the richness of all that ancient history, human ingenuity, and relics of the past ..."

-Claudia Ender

This past summer I joined my aunt Jane and uncle Peter on a magical journey to visit the ancient coastlines of Greece and the Adriatic. Kotor and the small fishing village of Perast along the coast of Montenegro cast an enchanting spell on me.  

Perast has two islets in its bay. One is man-made and supports its small Byzantine church, Our Lady of the Rocks. Created by the people of the region, the islet was formed over time as they cast stones into the water, each representing the return home from a successful voyage. Over time the islet eventually emerged and this custom continues today. The other island is natural with a place for the monks to live and practice their faith in the 12th century Benedictine Monastery of St. George.

The juxtaposition of the stunning architecture and the quaintness of these villages still amazes me. While exploring the streets of Perast I found a small vendor selling jewelry and old coins. Two coins of Alexander the Great caught my eye so I scooped them up as souvenirs, an idea already brewing in my mind.

Neither coin is perfectly round. Their patina and texture tells of some unknown history. By listening to these little pieces of metal, I knew I wanted to create mementos from this special trip – one for my aunt, and one for me.

I designed one coin into a silver pendant surrounded with turquoise enamel. In order to make a bezel I chose to set it from the back. To get the exact outline and a tight fit I put heat to the coin and melted it into a wax block. Then I carved out the frame around the coin shape.

The white sapphire pave bail is an enhancer and can be worn on different strands, chains or cords. Working with my aunt’s favorite colors, I chose a string of amethyst beads interspersed with silver elements. This piece can also be worn in reverse to show off the Goddess Diana on the other side.

I am still in the process of making one for myself with green enamel to remind me of the hills of Montenegro. It’s a talisman that reminds me of my love for adventure. I’ll wear it to stay connected to my aunt between our visits, and to carry the richness of all that ancient history, human ingenuity, and relics of the past with me wherever I go.

Do you have something that could be transformed into your very own travel memento? I’d love to work with you to use your memories to create your own personal talisman. Let’s talk!

xoxo