Gnome Necklace with Mushrooms, Job's Tears Seeds, and Aventurine Chips
This 18-inch necklace is one of my favourite pieces that I have made so far! It's full of fairytale whimsy, a dash of Goblincore, and celebrates nature through folklore. It features a glazed clay Gnome charm complete with red hat, brown cloak, beard, and green sack, as well as classic red toadstool glass beads, green aventurine chip beads, and Job's Tears seed beads, spaced with natural wooden filler beads. This necklace is strung on elasticated thread to make it more durable and has a metal hook and loop clasp for easy use.
Gnomes are one of the most iconic mythical creatures on earth and have appeared in many different tales all across the globe. Gnomes are mostly found in European countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Switzerland. Other European countries with gnome-related folklore include Iceland, Ireland (with leprechauns), France (with barbegazi), and the Low Countries (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg). Additionally, some similar beings appear in Japanese folklore, known as yokai. Gnomes are often depicted as caretakers of Mother Earth, protectors of gardens and homes, and omens of prosperity. Due to this, Gnome figurines, depictions, and charms are thought to bring grounding, stability, and a connection to the natural world to whoever owns them.
The red toadstools, or Amanita Fungi, also have a rich representation in folklore and mythology. If you take a moment to think of any fairy tale illustration of fairies, elves or goblins sitting on or under a mushroom, you will automatically think of the iconic red-capped fungus with white spots. These beautiful fungi are said to be representative of spiritual awakening and a bridge between two worlds, ours and the Fae. In common folklore, if you see the amanita mushrooms growing in a ring when out on forest walks, it's believed that standing in the middle of said ring will allow you to see the fairyfolk and may transport you to their world. When creating this necklace, I was drawn to this idea particularly, and it's nice to think that maybe the mushrooms on this necklace, creating a ring around the wearer, might make their days a little more magical. These mushrooms in particular, also represent death and rebirth, as fungi grow from decaying plant matter, bringing new life and refreshing the forest floor. A sort of natural phoenix phenomenon.
Aventurine is widely believed to be the stone of opportunity. it is used primarily in manifestation meditations for bringing about prosperity, luck, and good fortune to whoever is using it in this way. I love how their rich green denotes green grass, fresh leaves, and spring colours, a bright pop of colour perfect for drearier days.
Job's Tears Seeds are named after the biblical figure Job, and hold deep spiritual significance as symbols of resilience, healing, and spiritual growth. They are often used in various spiritual practices, including protection rituals, attracting positive energies, and fostering a connection to ancestral wisdom.
The elastic thread used for this necklace is jewellery-grade elastic and DOES contain plastic, but I'm using up my supply before I switch to sustainably sourced elastic to save the whole reel from entering a landfill. This necklace will come in plastic-free packaging.
