Brief Summary…

• Recycled silver Victorian shilling
• Hand carved midrib and vein details
• Hand cut from the shilling with traditional jewellers piercing saw.
• Hairy Growler sterling silver ear posts and backs
• Size : 10mm
• Symbolism : balance between the fire, strength and courage.
• Handcrafted & Recycled in Cambridge
• made with Love

A little more detail…

Alder Tree earrings – Alder leaf stud earrings handcrafted and recycled from a 100 year old silver shilling. 

These beautifully cosmic Alder leaf stud type earrings fallen straight from a lovely Alder tree.  I recycle silver shillings to craft these lovely Alder leaf earrings.

Coincidently, coin collectors do not value these shillings. This is down to marks and blemishes on the surface. For the most part, wear and tear make these coins unwanted – but not to me. I refuse to let these coins be melted down for the silver content. Instead, I’ve transformed them into something desirable. I create designs and ideas to preserve the coins’ personalities and quirks. By doing this, I make sure the historical details are retained; which adds depth, interest and intrigue to the design.

I cut the Alder leaves individually from the old ‘out of circulation’ coins with a traditional jeweller’s saw then carved and engraved. For added interest, I add an ‘off-cut’ surrounding coin is included with the earrings. Handmade and completely recycled in Cambridge, UK. Size : Approx 10 mm * 12 mm

The alder tree embodies notions of balance, fertility, protection, and spiritual fluidity, often linked to water and the Otherworld. It’s seen as a symbol of courage, determination, and the ability to thrive in challenging conditions, like wet environments.

Alder trees, with both male and female flowers (catkins) on the same branch, are seen as symbols of equality between genders and the ability to create life in challenging environments. In Celtic mythology, the alder is associated with protection, shielding, and courage, believed to offer safety and security. Due to its association with water (rivers, wetlands), the alder is linked to the soul’s journey between life and death and is seen as a bridge to the fairy realm or “Otherworld”.

Alder is also associated with healing, psychic knowledge, and divination, potentially due to its connection with the Otherworld. It’s a tree of courage, determination, and a continually evolving spirit, helping individuals face challenges with strength.

In the Celtic Ogham alphabet, the alder (Fearn) represents the third letter and is associated with courage, strength, and protection.

In essence, the alder tree is a complex symbol, representing both the harsh realities of life and death, and the potential for renewal, healing, and spiritual connection