A little more detail…

Hedgehog necklace pendant – handmade and recycled sterling silver lucky sixpence coins

Each one of these Hedgehog pendants is handmade from an 100 year old silver sixpence coin. Using a marker pen a quick inspired hedgehog sketch is dropped on to the surface of the lucky sixpence. I then meticulously carve away the design with a traditional hand engraving tool and cut details using a traditional jewellers saw. Once the details are cut the pendant is given an extremely bright polishing which really brings the coin to life. As I handcut each coin individually to order every one is completely unique and unusual. They look and feel special.

A wonderfully mysterious hedgehog gently scuttling towards your tree of life. She may represent you or the hedgehog in your life, either way she looks beautiful on a necklace by herself or with your other tree of life charms. When i’m lucky enough to cross paths with a hedgehog i often contemplate the similarities! especially when i’m having a bad hair day, which is everyday.

The hedgehog often represents gentle strength, self-protection, resourcefulness, and introspection. Its quills, while seemingly defensive, symbolize the ability to set healthy boundaries and protect one’s emotional well-being. Hedgehogs also embody resourcefulness and adaptability, encouraging individuals to tap into their inner resources and find comfort in simplicity. Their nocturnal nature can symbolize introspection and self-discovery.

Gentle Strength and Resilience:Hedgehogs demonstrate that true power can be found in quiet resilience, not just in overt displays of force.

Self-Protection and Boundaries:The hedgehog’s quills are a symbol of self-protection, encouraging the setting of healthy boundaries and the ability to safeguard one’s emotional well-being without aggression.

Resourcefulness and Adaptability:Hedgehogs are known for their ability to find food and create comfortable nests, symbolizing the ability to adapt and make the most of what is available.

Introspection and Self-Discovery:Their nocturnal nature is linked to introspection and exploring the hidden depths of the subconscious.

Guidance and Wisdom:In some folklore, hedgehogs act as animal guides, offering wisdom and guidance.

Rebirth and Renewal:In ancient Egypt, the hedgehog’s hibernation was associated with rebirth and reincarnation.

Protection in the Spiritual Realm:Hedgehogs are seen as symbols of protection, both physical and spiritual, reminding us to safeguard our well-being.

Overcoming Challenges:The hedgehog can also represent the journey of overcoming challenges and finding one’s true purpose.

“The Hedgehog and the Fox”:This concept, popularized by Isaiah Berlin, contrasts the hedgehog, who knows one big thing, with the fox, who knows many things. This can be applied to different approaches to knowledge and problem-solving.

The sixpence itself…

Each pendant is carefully handcrafted to order, using only these recycled sterling silver sixpence coins. The coins themselves are the perfect medium for this beautiful design, inline with a love of nature using these coins is the perfect ethical and green solution. No new silver is destructively ‘mined’, rather, old, uncollectible coins are saved from the ‘melting pot’ so some of their history and story live on.

The lucky sixpence tradition, where the coin is given as a symbol of good luck, has its roots in British history, particularly in wedding and Christmas traditions. Introduced in 1551 during the reign of Edward VI, the sixpence was a circulating coin for centuries. Its association with good luck is linked to various customs, including placing it in a bride’s shoe or including it in a Christmas pudding. The lucky sixpence lore has been firmly establish through many of our traditions. These traditions are part of the soul of our culture.

Origins of the Sixpence as a Lucky Charm:

Wedding Tradition:It’s common for a sixpence to be placed in a bride’s shoe to wish her good fortune. This practice is thought to have originated in the early 1600s when the Lord of the Manor presented the coin as a wedding gift, and later, it became a customary dowry gift.

Christmas Pudding Tradition:Another tradition involves placing a sixpence in the Christmas pudding before it’s cooked. The person who finds the sixpence in their portion on Christmas Day is said to have good luck for the coming year. This tradition is believed to have started during Victorian times, specifically on the Sunday before Advent, known as “Stir Up Sunday,” according to The East India Company Collections.

Fairies and the Sixpence:Some folklore suggests that fairies would reward a tidy maid or housewife by leaving a sixpence in her shoe.

The Sixpence’s History as a Coin:The sixpence was first struck in 1551, during the reign of Edward VI, and was initially a silver coin. It was a popular coin in British pre-decimal coinage for over 400 years. It was demonetized in 1980, but its legacy as a lucky charm endures.

The sixpence’s journey from a circulating coin to a symbol of good luck is a testament to its enduring presence in British culture and tradition.

Once the wee hedgehog design has been freehand sketched on to the coin it is carefully hand cut and carved using traditional hand saws, chisels and files. This traditional process allows me to have a close connection to each piece, ensuring the end result is personal and unique.