The collection includes a necklace made from a ‘Slinky’ spring toy, one which is half pencil and half encased pencil shavings, a ring which doubles up as a maze toy which you tilt to get the ball inside from one end to the other and a brooch with removable crayons – all with the high quality finish that is often missing from pieces with similar inspirations. “I am fascinated with a human’s temptation to touch and play; therefore tactile urge plays an integral role within my jewellery, if not with interactive elements then with contrasting material qualities,” says Fern. “The outcomes are vivid, fun, mixed media structures that enhance the role of the wearer to active participant.”
The third year of the Contemporary Craft degree from which she has recently graduated encourages experimentation and the development of each student’s individual identity as a maker. Fern has chosen to pursue a route of driving engagement with her products to promote longevity and therefore sustainability. “My concept was to invite the wearer to take an active role in the pieces, believing that tactile engagement creates a stronger connection between user and object,” she explains. “The designs have a post-modern aesthetic with vibrant colour and geometric form, screaming out for fun engagement. There are various opportunities for interaction from drawing with crayon to weaving through a maze.”
Maze comes in the form of both a ring and a necklace and invited the wearer to roll neon ball bearings through a sandblasted acrylic maze.
The Crayon series features moulded crayon forms paired with crayon shards encased in clear resin. Some of the pieces include a ‘tap and die’ mechanism, which enables the wearer to alter colours depending on their style and mood. As the wearer uses the crayon, it will change shape, creating a bespoke piece of jewellery that is the direct result of their creative expressions.
Childs Play recreates traditional games and actions enjoyed during childhood. “The extremely tactile contact creates an experience between wearer and object,” says Fern.
And finally, Connect is a series of brooches, one flocked, one powder coated and the other crayon – all containing steel to attach to a magnet through clothing, enabling them to be worn without a pin that might damage fabric.
Fern’s collection was launched at the Plymouth College of Art graduate show where it was selected for an award recognising innovation and potential, as part of which she will receive mentoring and a showcase with local jeweller and gallery owner Victoria Sewart.
