From New York to Ancient Greece

Erica Weiner Jewellery,
fit for a modern day goddess

It's well documented that much of the inspiration behind The Shop Floor Project comes from our love of Museums - so it won't be a surprise to learn how I spend much of my spare time.

It's a dangerous thing to start searching through the online collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, what begins as a quick tea break often becomes a couple of hours 'research-time'. There are over 27,000 objects listed in their online catalogue each one illustrated with the most beautiful photograph.

With the categories covering ceramics, fashion, furniture, glass, metalwork, paintings, photographs, prints, sculpture, and textiles I am often overwhelmed with inspiration for possible projects, travel expeditions and collaborations. My new rule is to restrict myself to one single category per week.

This week it was the jewellery department, in particular a collection of Ancient Greek earrings dating from circa 400BC.

Looking at these treasures it struck me why I collect the jewellery of New York based designer, Erica Weiner.Perhaps it's the size of the pieces or their unashamed celebration of the insect world or that wonderful metal which looks like it's been covered in old gold which makes Erica's jewellery feel as if it's just been uncovered and found to belong to a beautiful Grecian Princess.

Just like the bronzed women of Ancient Greece who wore layers of ornament from hair beads, necklaces, amulets to ankle, wrist and thigh bracelets - I have decided to channel the inner Greek Goddess in me and wear at least three pieces together this summer: the small Grasshopper necklace (£25) with the larger Bumble Bee necklace(£28) and a pair of Cicada (£19)or Fly earrings(£18).

Why not visit our own museum cabinets where Erica Weiner's collection can be found.