A SIMPLE GIFT

A SIMPLE GIFT

‘A gift should be an act of appreciation, not an act of destruction’

Nature is mimicked by synthetic jewellery items. The manufacturing processes damage our environment. Continuously wearing such items breaks down an important bond creating an impression of a lack of respect for the natural world.

A gift’s power depends upon its motive. The giving of a gift should not be an act of compensation or restitution; it is a display of feelings. A simplistic gift is valued by its meaning, not its cost. We should never forget that a gift to ourselves is an act of self-appreciation

Having discovered the origins and meaning of the birth tree talisman our quest began to revive this simple lost art, not merely to imitate, but to revive and rediscover nature’s secret of a happy and harmonious life.

From ancient times man has been fascinated by his senses of sight, sound, smell and touch, particularly relating to the natural world. Our ancestors mastered the art of integrating their natural senses with the changing seasons. By wearing simple and uncomplicated items they displayed a harmony with a world they shared as partners, not masters or slaves. As with most ancient traditions this sacred art became jaded by the modern age of science.

The same sensations experienced by our ancestors are still available for us to enjoy today.
The tactile FEEL of wood.
The SOUND of rustling leaves in a gentle breeze.
The evocative SMELL of flowers or the forest after a rain shower.
The SIGHT of changing colours during spring, summer, autumn and winter.

These are the sensations that may bring with them recollections of our past. Their associations subconsciously shape our views, moods and attitudes to the world around us.

To own and wear just one simple item even for a short while helps to recreate or restore that bond.

FIVE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

CONCEPT
Objects reflect the beliefs of a country's native culture blending together its ancient and modern philosophies. The artist's ideas incorporate existing traditions to create a modern reflection aligning mind, body and the spirit that connects ancestor with descendant.

MOVEMENT
Movement is an expression and a symbol of an object's origin represented by its kinetic energy. Wearer, object and material provide the catalyst for release which come to life with the wearer's movement portraying the Celtic love of freedom.

HONESTY
Honesty can be achieved by balancing a culture's past and its future. By embracing both origin and fashion it keeps alive a tradition. Through the tree's unpretentious nature and the simplicity of the Ogham the Celtic spirituality can be appreciated by future generations.

SENTIMENT
The perceived beauty of an object lays within its ability to capture, nurture and appreciate the thoughts and beliefs of our ancestors. The use of natural materials represent our position on this planet stirring emotions from deep within our subconsious soul.

FAMILIARITY
Familiarity is a relationship formed by maker and wearer. It is also found in technique, material and cultural consciousness. The tree provides us with the material link between ourselves and our natural landscape.

It is a priviledge to belong to an indigenous culture. It is also a priviledge to appreciate the cultures of others.

THE SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE LAYS WITHIN THE SPIRIT OF THEIR LAND