Just for Fun: A Year of Curiosity Cabinets
Each year I set myself a photographic and styling challenge for the year. Last year I shared a monthly display of curiosities inspired by the month’s birthstone. I really enjoy creating these series, and thought I’d also share the results of the project with you here.
January
For the first month of the year, here is a cabinet of curiosities inspired by this month’s birthstone - Garnet. Garnets are a symbol of truth, consistency and regeneration. Garnets are named after the pomegranate as the glistening crystals resemble the fruit’s jewel-like seeds. Garnets are also used to celebrate a second anniversary. Here, I’ve paired the warm red antique finds with cool silver jewellery. Click here to shop my collection of Garnet Birthstone jewellery.
February
This was actually the first cabinet of curiosities I shared for the challenge over on my Instagram account (link). It’s inspired by February’s birthstone amethyst, and features a collection of purple antiques and collectables I’ve gathered over the years and is finished with some of my jewellery. February’s birthstone, Amethyst, has a long-standing association with royalty. Amethyst is the stone of spiritual protection and purification, and represents intelligence, calm and courage. Click here to shop my collection of Amethyst Birthstone jewellery.
March
March’s birthstone is watery Aquamarine and was my inspiration for this display of curiosities. Aquamarines are thought to have healing qualities, which also improve communication and self-expression. This cool, dreamy stone is thought also to have a calming and soothing influence. Click here to shop my collection of Aquamarine Birthstone jewellery.
April
April’s display of curiosities was inspired by the month’s birthstone, Diamond. Diamonds represent light, brilliance, treasure and intellectual knowledge. There’s something so effortlessly sophisticated about these tones of white, milk and cream. To give these light hues some edge and contrast I’ve paired them with blackened silver jewellery. Click here to shop my collection of Diamond and Cubic Zirconia Birthstone jewellery.
May
A stack of curiosities for May inspired this month’s birthstone, Emerald. Emeralds represent compassion and eternal love - two things I hope will flourish in your life. I really love this shade of Emerald and this image includes some of my favourite vintage finds. I’ve paired the Emerald green with gold jewellery which I think makes the perfect combination for this time of year, when gardens and parks are in bloom. Click here to shop my collection of Emerald Birthstone jewellery.
June
This collection of colours was inspired by June’s birthstone, Alexandrite. Alexandrites are often a similar shade of green to Emeralds in daylight, but turning a fiery raspberry red by night. I’ve chosen Alexandrites with a slight blue tint to the green for my birthstone jewellery collection. Click here to shop my collection of Alexandrite Birthstone jewellery.
July
A collection of curiosities inspired by July’s birthstone Ruby. Known as the ‘Queen of Stones’, Rubies were once more valuable than Diamonds. As one of the hardest gemstones, they were believed to protect warriors, who included them into their armour. I don’t often wear rose gold, but I like the way its warmth pairs with the red vintage finds here. In this image my eye is always drawn to the miniature red vintage oil can which is one of my all time favourite finds. Click here to shop my collection of Ruby Birthstone jewellery.
August
I marked August with a cabinet of curiosities inspired by August’s birthstone Peridot. Peridot has been cherished for its healing properties since ancient times. It’s also a symbol of Mother Nature and of renewal, and happens to be my favourite colour! Here my green vintage finds have been paired with silver jewellery, including my Pollen stacking rings with Peridots and silver Baroque earrings also embellished with Peridots. Click here to shop my collection of Peridot Birthstone jewellery.
September
This has to be one of my favourite cabinets - I had lots of wonderful blue vintage props so was able to really go for it. The blue is inspired by September’s birthstone Sapphire. Sapphires are known as the stone of wisdom and are a symbol of strength, kindness, purity and calm judgement. Their dreamy blue hue is also thought to help bring order and healing to the mind, encouraging focus. For this display I’ve paired the inviting blue with a mixture of shiny silver and oxidised / blacked silver jewellery. Click here to shop my collection of Sapphire Birthstone jewellery.
October
A cabinet of curiosities inspired by this month’s birthstone, Tourmaline. You’ll find Tourmalines in my birthstone collection in pink, green and blue. Tourmalines are associated with balance, wisdom and protection. October’s cabinet is also draped with silver jewellery, which tonally balances with the month’s hues of light green, soft blue and pink. Click here to shop my collection of Tourmaline Birthstone jewellery.
November
Topaz is November’s birthstone and I have chosen blue and yellow Topaz to use in my Birthstone Jewellery collection. This collection of antiques and curiosities was inspired by the Topaz. Topaz is thought to attract new friendships and help resolve difficult problems. These sparkling stones are also thought to have healing properties. I’ve paired the saffron and blue tones of these vintage finds with blacked, oxidised silver jewellery. Click here to shop my collection of Topaz Birthstone jewellery.
December
December’s cabinet of curiosities was inspired by this month’s birthstone Tanzanite. Tanzanite is believed to help balance the emotions - certainly something I could use on a regular basis. I chose to dress December’s cabinet with gold jewellery as the opulence of royal purple and and warm gold seemed perfect for the run up to Christmas. Click here to shop my collection of Tanzanite Birthstone jewellery.
Click here to see the results of another creative series - where I introduce you to special people in my life and explore jewellery for their star sign.