While making the final preparations for a new collection of rope and gemstone pieces, I took an impromptu side step and introduced some leather to the mix. Extra thick leather cord provided a simple and sturdy base for the collar style necklace, with an amethyst stone secured using wrapped silk, and cotton cord wedged in between. This one was just for fun, but I may have to explore it further! And as a small preview, below are a few of the pieces I was supposed to be working on. Combinations of soft acrylic rope, golden tubes, natural marble and one of my favourites, a bright glass stone clamped into place with strips of brass. I'll be back soon to share the rest! credit: photographs and jewellery by The Vamoose

As promised, here is the second part of my collaboration with Belgium photographer Eefje de Coninck, featuring a selection of jewellery inspired by cathedral interiors, ocean waves and the cool hues of a glacial landscape. Eefje and her team styled the pieces with draped fabric, subtle makeup and softly braided hair against a back drop of marble and stone. View part 1 of the collaboration here. Photography and styling by Eefje de Coninck | Hair and makeup by Noëmi Haesen | Modelled by Stine Sampers and Elke De Mey

amazonite, vintage beads and layered metal necklace | silk cord and chalk turquoise necklace

above: silk, brass and chalk turquoise necklace | below: crystal quartz necklace with large vintage beads and layered metal discs

above: silk and gemstone earrings in riverstone | gemstone and brass tube necklaces | below: vintage brass and navy suede necklace

below: silk and gemstone earrings in riverstone | gemstone and brass tube necklaces

above: Leather, brass and gemstone bracelets in marble, feldspar, riverstone, amazonite and clear quartz | below: lemon chrysoprase and riverstone necklaces with layered brass discs

above: feldspar and brass tube necklace | silk cord and tourmaline necklace | below: large citrine drop necklace | vintage brass bar necklaces

Credit: all images courtesy of Eefje de Coninck | jewellery by The Vamoose Eefje's Links: blog | flickr | website

dried flowers | vintage postcard | porcelain jasper | pyrite bracelet | feldspar and brass necklace

Dried flowers, porcelain jasper and an old postcard helped provide the inspiration for the pyrite and feldspar pieces above. The design of the necklace was adapted from a previous feldspar version in pale grey, this time with a simplified approach and the addition of tiny brass discs. The feldspar squares have the most beautiful marbled pattern, with spots of colour in pink and mint. I took a similar approach when creating the bracelet, pairing pyrite cubes with a simple, plain chain. The old postcard features a statue of King Arthur, a mythical king of the Britons in ancient times, wearing richly detailed armour.

Statue of King Arthur, Hofkirche, Innsbruck, designed by Albrecht Dürer and cast by Peter Vischer the Elder

While researching ancient armour, I became fascinated with the etched and embossed decorations, often depicting floral and geometric patterns, religious imagery or mythological references. Since embossing had a tendency to weaken the metal, etching proved to be the more popular choice for decorating armour in the late fifteenth to early sixteenth century. I found this piece especially inspiring, believed to have been made by order of Henry VIII, with elaborately etched and gilded steel. Too late for this collection, but I’d love to experiment with etched brass and gold leaf at some point in the future. Credit: jewellery and photographs by The Vamoose Research: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

vintage postcard | redline marble and hammered brass earrings | agate and opal slab | silk, brass and pink opal necklace

My fascination with Italian cathedrals and churches doesn’t appear to be fading any time soon. An old postcard of Genova’s Chiesa dell’Annunziata interior provided the inspiration for the earrings above and a piece of dendritic agate with pink opal sparked a hunt for matching opal pendants. I could only find a limited amount, but it was worth the long search!

Geometric earrings in redline marble and hammered brass, inspired by the opulent Baroque interior of Genova’s Chiesa dell’Annunziata...

This beautiful slab of dendritic agate with pink tinted opal inspired a silk, brass and pink opal necklace...

Credit: photographs and jewellery by The Vamoose

Eefje De Coninck is a photographer living and working in Belgium. I’ve collaborated with Eefje in the past and it is a pleasure to have my jewellery featured in her photographs once again. Modelled by Eline Ros and styled by Eefje herself, the shoot is a beautiful mix of earthy tones and tropical colours with the help of a botanical garden backdrop and coffe bar interior. Part two of the collaboration still to come! All photographs by Eefje De Connick | Jewellery by The Vamoose Credit: Photographs courtesy of Eefje de Connick | Jewellery by The Vamoose