At LuLu & Charles Jewellery we are well known for our bespoke jewellery service, however alongside this we also offer a small scale production of our own in-house jewellery collection, designed & handmade from our County Durham workshop.
So what inspires us??? Well…we are heavily inspired by the past, all things British and Symbolism. Our aim is to create modern day mementos and family keepsakes representing personal symbolic meaning to the wearer.
Influenced by Victorian jewellery especially and the sentimental meaning attached to it. The Victorians certainly perfected this art form and took symbolism in jewellery design to a whole other level. Their hidden language is so beautifully conveyed in their timeless pieces, that we gratefully admire and humbly respect. Symbolism was extremely important to the Victorians. Highly romantic, they found hidden meaning in the colours, gemstones, shapes and textures of the jewellery they wore. At LuLu & Charles Jewellery we love the idea of creating a collection of contemporary handmade jewellery which shares the same magical attachment, by creating jewellery with hidden symbolic meaning.
Symbolism in jewellery is hardly uncommon, yet we often forget the complex language behind it. You may see symbols very commonly today in modern jewellery, yet not nearly as intimately as in past decades. There is a vast array of symbols used in jewellery today and you will be familiar with many popular symbols from hearts conveying love, personalized zodiac signs, religious symbols to name a few. However it’s the secretive language and hidden meaning a piece may hold, that inspires us to design & hand make a piece to add to the LuLu & Charles Jewellery collection.
Definition of symbolism in English: “An artistic and poetic movement or style using symbolic images and indirect suggestion to express mystical ideas, emotions, and states of mind.”
So you may have picked up on a trend, whilst browsing through our range of handmade jewellery including our sweet forget-me-not pendants, butterflies, moons, stars, swallows and our handmade angel wing jewellery….each design tells a story and connects to a sentimental memory, a loved one, personal emotion or the start of a new adventure. Perhaps this blog post will even inspire an idea of your own. If so we’d be happy to help bring your idea to life by creating a special piece with meaning that rings true to your heart!
Here are a few pieces from our collection, which hold significant meaning to the wearer…
Our Handmade Silver Forget-Me-Not Charm Necklace acts as a sweet reminder of your favorite memories or time together with another person and growing affection between two loyal hearts. Or simply worn as a small to reminder to enjoy the little things in life, forget not to be happy, forget not to be patient and to remember some sacrifices are better than others.
The pretty Forget-Me-Not Flower may be small, however, this humble plant has a powerful history of symbolic meaning behind it. Representing true and undying love, remembrance during partings or after death and a connection that lasts a lifetime. An ideal gift for many occasions, especially if the receiver has lost a loved one as this sweet British flower is symbolic of true love and happy memories shared.
Our Handmade Swallow Necklace holds many symbolic meanings, representing freedom, hope, care and affection or everlasting love towards family and friends, related to the fact that swallows mate for life.
Historically, the swallow is a symbol used by sailors to show off their sailing experience. Seeing swallows was a sign that their travels were nearing an end. And as these birds never traveled far out to sea, their sighting meant that land was near and their long voyage was almost over. Swallows also symbolized wanting your loved one to return home safely, faithfully, or just simply to come home soon.
Our hand engraved swallow necklace is the perfect gift for loved ones and friends, a token of love, which could represent a journey or a new chapter in life, perfect as a graduation gift or for a daughter leaving home for the first time or maybe someone who has been through a difficult time. Representational of a persons life story, overcoming a personal storm or illness, a token of freedom and hope. A gift with meaning, worn as a sentimental reminder that the wearer is forever loved.
Crescent moons in Victorian jewellery often represented spirituality and the glorification of the Feminine Moon Goddess. Whilst the stars were symbols of direction, and guidance for the spirit. Our Handmade Sterling Silver Crescent Moon Charm Bangle is a lucky talisman in itself. The word “crescent” comes from the Latin term ceres meaning to “bring forth, create” and crescere, the Latin term for “grow, thrive”. Making this the perfect piece of handmade symbolic jewellery, worn as a simple reminder to DREAM BIG in life and believe in yourself!
The moon always looks like it is constantly changing, this reminds us of the fluidity and inconsistency of life. The moon is also symbolic of the never ending circle of nature of time and karma. This handmade symbolic moon charm bangle makes the perfect good luck gift for a family member or dear friend.
Lastly our Handmade Silver Butterfly Necklace inspired by the British Summertime, is a beautiful piece of handmade symbolic jewellery.
Butterflies are a deeply powerful and magical representation of life, many cultures associate the butterfly with our souls and they are often seen as a symbol of spiritual rebirth. Today the butterfly has many symbolic meanings, representing endurance, change, hope and life. Butterfly jewellery can also act as a reminder to ‘Follow your butterflies’ you know that fluttery feeling you get in the pit of your stomach, usually before you do something that’s out of your comfort zone? That’s what the saying is referring to, encouraging the wearer to follow those butterflies towards their dreams!
Our pretty Sterling silver butterfly necklace is the perfect gift for loved ones, family and friends, a sweet love token, maybe worn in remembrance of someone close to your heart or as a reminder of self belief.