Jeweller finds inspiration after grandparents’ romantic notes
Ribbon charts a great love story and sparked her creativity
photograph tacked up in my studio, alongside a bundle of letters in a drawer. They had a romantic life from beginning to end.”
Rebecca explained how her grandparents’ love inspired her work. “It all really started when I was in my third year of studying for an undergraduate degree in jewellery and metal design at Duncan of Jordanstone in Dundee,” explained Rebecca, who lives in Glasgow.
“We were working on a project loosely based on a Valentine’s theme, finding inspiration, designing and making pieces of jewellery. I explained the project to my parents and family, and that prompted my aunt Maggie to tell me about my papa’s love letters.
“After moving into my grandparents’ house, she discovered the letters mixed together in plastic bags, uncared for and amongst photographs of my papa in the RAF. We counted more than 300 letters just from my grandad. He had been sent to Canada at the age of 18 to train with the RAF in preparation for the Second World War, flying spitfire planes, while my gran stayed in Aberdeen. They really didn’t know each other well before he left, and only began getting to know each other via the letters.”
As part of her graduate degree show in 2014, Rebecca used the letters to create 14 bespoke pieces of jewellery, with each of the Darling Margaret brooches, necklaces and earrings featuring her grandad’s handwritten notes.
Alongside the jewellery, the designer played Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune – the song which reminded Trevor of their love – and set up a writing bureau where visitors could pen their own letters. She then posted each of the 100 letters around the world, using stamps featuring her grandparents’ wedding photo. Rebecca said: “Initially I really wanted to create pieces that got people talking and thinking about love letters during the war.
“Each piece hinted at the love letters, some with bits of writing, and all were really personal. I sold a couple of the original 14 pieces but I felt a bit funny selling them – I felt they were mine in a way.
“But it was nice to pass on a piece of my grandparents’ story. The people I met loved them so much, so I felt comfortable letting them have them.”
Now, having just married her partner of nine years, Scott, 30, Rebecca is embarking on her own love story. And on her wedding day in September last year, she made sure her grandparents were there in spirit.
She said: “I wore a pair of the oval tassel earrings that originated from the Darling Margaret collection, which were enamelled copper with gold and silk thread.”
She added: “I would love to continue to use elements of my grandparents in future projects. I felt a deeper connection to them even though they have both passed away. We’re just so lucky to have the letters.”