Cup Runneth Over

30 Aug Cup Runneth Over

In On Collaboration I wrote about working for the children. My other favorite client is the husbands.

What’s not to love? They come into the gallery with a clear expression of conquest on their faces, and yet, sometimes they do look lost. They are looking for something. But what? Something that will express to her how much he cares. Something personal. Something made just for her.

I’ve heard his words many times….

“She loves your work. You know what she likes, right?”

Or, “her birthday is coming up. She wears necklaces. What can we do?”

That’s my cue! Again, that’s how collaboration and commissioning jewelry works. The client is the one with the conquest. I’m just the one with the tools.

I completed a piece recently for a friend, secretly commissioned by her husband. It is to commemorate the celebration of her 40th birthday. In one of my initial conversations with her husband, who is also a friend, I asked him if he would prefer a piece that symbolizes the stages of her life up to age 40 or something that serves as a snapshot of her life at 40. He said, “Snapshot!”

They are blessed with three children, ages 12, 8 and 4. The bracelet is 14K Palladium White Gold and 14K Yellow Gold. There are 26 domed sections. On one end beside the clasp is her birthstone – a ruby. On the other end is his – a garnet. Two reds. When she puts the bracelet on, that act symbolizes the coming together of the two of them in marriage as the ruby and garnet are joined. The remaining 24 sections represent the children: 12 alexandrites for the 12-year-old born in June, 8 blue zircons for the 8-year-old born in December, and 4 amethysts for the 4-year-old born in February. Each section is a domed metal form, and the stones, in varying sizes, are almost never set in the center of one of these domes. They are set off to one side or the other, and I was struck by how much they seem to depict pots overflowing with contents. In the process of setting all these stones I began to think about these three precious children. They are friends, too, and I celebrate their lives and just simply how amazing they are. I was also overwhelmed by the concept of Divine provision, comfort and blessing. So, that’s why the piece is called “Cup Runneth Over,” – a reference to the 23rd Psalm.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

-Psalm 23:5