A little more detail…

Handcrafted Magpie, Moon & Stars Pendant

Made from a repurposed British sixpence 

There are moments when an old coin feels like more than metal — as if it’s been quietly waiting, carrying its history forward, until it finds its next life.

“Pursuing for Joy” is a handcrafted sterling silver pendant cut from an original out-of-circulation British sixpence, transformed into a small piece of wearable folklore. At its heart is a magpie in flight, wings spread wide beneath a crescent moon and scattered stars — a symbol of hope, good fortune, and the search for brighter days.

This is not mass-made jewellery. Every detail is cut, engraved, shaped and finished by hand in the Hairy Growler workshop, using traditional tools and slow craftsmanship.

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A Pendant Inspired by Old Folk Wisdom

Magpies have always carried mystery. In British folklore they are messengers — birds of omen, luck, mischief and prophecy. And tucked quietly behind this pendant is a familiar rhyme that has travelled through generations:

One for sorrow,
Two for joy…

This piece was created with that line in mind.

A reminder that joy is something we can look for, something we can find again — sometimes hidden in the smallest moments. The magpie here is frozen mid-flight, caught in a silver sky of stars, as though it has just discovered something worth chasing.

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Hand Cut from a Real Sixpence Coin

The pendant begins its life as a genuine British sixpence coin, too worn to be collectible, yet far too beautiful to be melted down and forgotten.

The original coin is carefully marked and then hand cut with a jeweller’s saw, allowing the magpie, moon and stars to emerge from the silver. The remaining surfaces are then shaped and engraved to bring out the feather detail and give the bird its lifelike movement.

The date remains as part of the design — grounding the pendant in its original history and making each one a tiny fragment of time, reborn.

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Hand Engraved Detail & Traditional Finish

Once the shape is cut, the magpie is brought to life through traditional hand engraving, with every feather line carved individually into the silver.

Darkened oxidised shadows are applied to enhance contrast, before the surface is polished back by hand. This creates the Hairy Growler signature finish:
bright highlights against deep patina, like moonlight on a midnight wing.

This balance between light and dark is what gives the pendant its atmosphere — a piece that feels both ancient and alive.

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The Moon, Stars & Symbolic Charm Details

The crescent moon is a quiet symbol of renewal and change — the turning of cycles, the return of light, the promise that nothing stays the same forever.

The stars add a sense of open sky and movement. Every element is designed to feel timeless, tactile, and full of story.

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A Gift of Meaning (and a Charm for Luck)

“Looking for Joy” makes a powerful gift — especially for someone stepping into a new chapter, healing, rebuilding, or simply needing a reminder that joy still exists.

It’s a talisman of optimism.
A little silver charm to carry close, like a whispered promise.

Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, milestone moments, or as a thoughtful gift for someone who loves folklore, moonlight, and meaningful jewellery.

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A Small Piece of Old Silver Magic

This is a pendant made for those who feel drawn to moonlight, to folklore, to birds, to quiet symbolism — and to the idea that even something forgotten can become something beautiful again.

A magpie in flight.
A crescent moon.
A sky full of stars.

And a simple thought at the heart of it all:

Pursuing for Joy.

To explore more reclaimed silver jewellery and traditional hand engraving, visit Our Craft & Inspiration.