Item: Bespoke Button and Thread ring
Occasion: Birthday gift
Materials: 9ct gold and repurposed sterling silver
Brief: A playful mixed-metal commission inspired by sewing, fashion and a little piece of New York.
When W got in touch, he had an amazing personal brief: to create a bespoke ring for a special birthday that would celebrate his partner’s love of sewing, fashion and New York.
Rather than choosing something traditional, W wanted the ring to feel fun, meaningful and completely individual. It needed to tell a story at a glance, while still being comfortable enough to wear every day.
The design needed to bring together two important parts of her personality: her passion for sewing and fashion, and her love of New York. W also liked the idea of using mixed metals, giving the finished piece a warm contrast between 9ct gold and sterling silver.
To make the commission even more personal, W supplied old sterling silver jewellery to be repurposed. This helped reduce the cost of the project while giving the finished ring an extra layer of sentiment.
The starting point for the design was The Big Button sculpture in New York’s Garment District. It was the perfect reference: bold, playful and instantly connected to the world of sewing and fashion.
From there, I began exploring ways to translate the button and thread idea into a wearable piece of jewellery. The challenge was to keep the design full of character without making it feel too literal or too delicate for everyday wear.
I sketched a number of ideas for W, each one exploring a different balance of button, thread, texture and metal contrast. After reviewing the options, he chose a 9ct gold and sterling silver ‘button and thread’ design.
The button detail became the focus of the ring, with the thread-like elements adding movement. The mixed metals gave the piece the contrast W was looking for, while helping the design feel lively and contemporary.
During the making process, W was invited into the studio to see the ring in progress. This gave him the chance to check the proportions, approve the overall dimensions and feel part of the journey from concept to finished piece.
That stage is always an important part of a bespoke commission. Seeing the piece take shape helps make sure the final ring not only looks right, but feels right too.
The final ring was a complete success: a fun, personal and beautiful birthday gift with a story woven into every detail. Best of all, it has been worn every day since the moment it was opened on her birthday — which is exactly what bespoke jewellery should be: unique, meaningful and made to be loved.
If you are looking for a bespoke special occasion gift, or would like to create your own unique piece of jewellery, contact me for a chat about your design.