Throughout my life charm bracelets have had an appeal. In my experience each one tells a story about its owner and each charm has a memory or a connection. A charm bracelet truly is the reason, the season or the life time piece in a jewellery box or at least that is how it is in mine .
So on my 60th birthday, my sister gifted me a very special and unique piece of Claire Howard Jewellery. Not a charm bracelet as such but a bangle. A bangle with four special charms each one with a story of a life together with our little amazingly resilient Jack Russell dog, Billy .
The pine cone was chosen to remind me of our adventures at Sandringham. Walks through the woods and the park, days picking up pine cones to help stop the weeds on my plant pots back home . Most of all Bill's favourite time of sharing a cheesy twist from the cafe and having a drink of water for him and a cup of tea for us.
The shell reminds me of the glorious days by the beach together, running on the sand, tentatively dipping in and out the sea, strolling all together picking shells and pebbles. Fun and laughter and reflective time just enjoying our lovely Norfolk beaches.
The paw print. Well of course they remind me of our little hero who went through so much in his life. As a young dog he was abandoned, but my sister rescued him. He was our snuggle bucket, our confident, our protector and he even became a much loved visitor and celebrity dog at the hospice where we both work. Wherever he went, whoever he saw he left paw prints on people’s hearts.
The poppy stands for remembrance and for me, heroes. I was born on Armistice D-day and was always taught to remember those who gave their tomorrows for our today.
Finally the bangle a full circle strong and true. No beginning or end. The bangle to me represents the strong bond that my younger sister and I have. Despite the roller coaster of life, we stand strong and true together. More importantly under Claire’s watchful eye and strict guidance, my sister made the bangle herself. In our youth she was more sporty and I veered more to creating things. So to make the bangle was truly out of her comfort zone, but make it she did and very well I might say, but what do you expect with an expert teacher and jeweller as a guide. It was all made in secret. I had no idea and it was the most amazing surprise . I will treasure my Billy Bangle forever because of the love it shows , the emotions it creates when I look at it or wear it and the memories it tells, but most of all now Billy has died, it's a legacy to a good life.
