I find these words by David Neale inspiring, hoping quietly that these sentiments can also be found in pieces that I make.
A good question for the goldsmith is:
What does jewellery do?
It is very often sent as gift to say "I love you"- like a three-dimensional love letter.
So the next question for the goldsmith is one of design;
How can I make jewellery that is ready for this mission?
True, this will come down to
typical decisions about materials and shapes and ergonomics, but in
this quest the goldsmith must seek, above all, to imbue the attributes
of generosity and dignity, eloquence and concision- and perhaps most
elusively; some sort of draught; a capacity to carry love's message,
without forgetting it, without talking over the top of it, not crushing
it- but holding and delivering it at the same time- for as long as
possible.
David Neale 2012
from Pieces of Eight