06/10/2026
Embroidery, knitting and weaving were, in many places and periods, among the few ways women could earn money from their skills. But more often these were forms of unpaid labour, part of everyday life alongside cooking, childcare and other domestic work.
The things women created through these techniques have historically been undervalued, especially when compared with crafts traditionally associated with male makers, such as carpentry or metalwork.
And this is exactly what I think about when I see textile techniques translated into jewellery.
There are quite a few jewellers and makers working with textile techniques, each in very different ways. Ebba Goring for example, crochets pieces and then casts them in precious metal.
I love this 'Remnants Brooch' by her. It looks like a piece of ancient cloth, excavated from the ground.
I love the idea of taking a traditionally under-appreciated craft and casting it in precious metal. The material is different but the original technique is the same and this becomes a way of giving value, permanence and visibility to a form of making that has often been overlooked and under-valued. A very powerful and beautiful piece.
Seen at Goldsmiths' Fair - fine jewellery & contemporary silver
