Moonah Dog Tags and Pendants
Jewellery is forever! These new dog tags and pendants are tough and resilient, like me. They will last a lifetime, and can be handed down through generations. They barely resemble their name dog tag — a type of ID tag worn by military personnel — and are more in line with chic body adornment.
This recent work took some of its inspiration from regular hikes I’ve enjoyed in the stunning Mornington Peninsula National Park, adjacent to Cape Schanck and Gunnamatta Beach. It’s a frequent haunt of mine as the sea and its shores are a constant source of pleasure to me. Thereupon the twisted and bent tree trunks of the local native vegetation, a ‘Moonah’ landscape, shaped by strong southerly winds that come barrelling across Bass Strait throughout the year.
Moonah landscape © Katrina Newman
The idea of making a dog tag and sitting it on an angle resulted from binge watching the Netflix series ‘Schitt’s Creek’, which I know some people love and others don’t relate to. I found it extremely funny. If you haven’t watched it yet, look out for the great one liners. Moira Rose’s clothes and costume jewellery were sensational, but I was drawn back to Season 3 Episode 10 when Sebastian Raine (played by Francois Arnaud) swung into town for just one episode. Sebastian was wearing casual attire and a shiny dog tag. I liked the way it sat on an angle and the length of the cord which I mimic in my work.
Sebastian Raine and Moira Rose Schitt’s Creek Season 3 Episode 10
You’ll find my dog tags more substantial though, they’re gutsy and evoke feelings of strength: quite different from the average dog tag. They weigh up to 22 grams and are made of sterling silver. There are some 14 carat gold pendants on the near horizon. The texture or relief in my work promotes a tactile experience. This is enhanced by the use of the ancient technique of cuttlefish bone casting that I practice in my jewellery making. You’ll notice too, the oxidisation of the surface to create a high contrast image that is new to my work.
My customers always feel so proud to wear one of my statement pieces. Most of my dog tags will be strung on leather cord at a similar length to Sebastian’s dog tag which is approximately 80cm. They’re tied simply with a casual knot at the neck. Alternatively, customers are welcome to request the dog tag to be strung on a sterling silver snake chain.
If you’re thinking of adding one or two of my pieces to your Christmas list, please accept this advice: be quick. I make all of my work in batches, my lamp worked glass bead earrings are made in batches of 20 or more and the pendants and rings are usually 5 or 6 at a time. It may take me another 2 or 3 months to replace existing stock on my website, so if you have your eye on something, get in quick!
I look forward to welcoming you soon to my studio which is always open by appointment. For updates please follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
