We’ve built up a fantastic relationship with our web designer Stephen, so when he got in touch to ask us to hand make a bespoke necklace for his wife, we were happy to help. Working closely with Stephen, we developed a design incorporating a collection of Saint Cuthbert beads, which the pair have collected from Holy Island, Northumberland, over the years.
St. Cuthbert beads are bead-like fossils, shaped in the form of small cylinders or thick discs. In medieval Northumberland, the fossilised columnals were collected at Lindisfarne, and strung together as a necklace or rosary. Over time, they became associated with St. Cuthbert, who was a monk on Lindisfarne.
Stephen’s idea to create a modern day version of a St Cuthbert Bead Neacklcae, including a rustic cross to compliment the beads, which was a pure pleasure to make. We handmade a cuttlefish cast cross, in keeping with the shoreline theme. Cuttlefish casting is an ancient technique, rarely used these days, however the process leaves a beautiful primitive beach ripple texture, which worked perfectly with the natural St. Cuthbert beads.
We oxerdised the cuttlefish cast silver cross to highligh the shore like ripple finish, and also to give the cross an aged look, then wrapped with polished round wire in the centre.
When Stephen presented the necklace to his wife Lucy, she was absolutely over the moon with it… Such a personal & thoughful gift!
