10/10/2025
Beans and seeds have long been worn as adornment- symbols of resilience, new beginnings and good luck. Seeds can be found in some of the earliest examples of jewellery, strung simply on braided cord, beans were given as good luck charms in Victorian times and a bean shaped pendant was famously designed by Elsa Peretti for her Tiffany collection. These pleasing shapes have caught the attention of jewellers throughout time- perfectly tactile miniatures which fit nicely in the palm of a hand.
Last month, I gathered a selection of these diverse and delightful things and cast them into a small collection one of a kind rings. Each ‘Hairst’ ring features a different Scottish grown food crop: a runner bean, a broad bean, a plum stone and a poppy seed pod to name a few.
Huge thanks to for sending me such a wonderful selection of seeds to work with (more work to come with those- there’s too much beautiful stuff!). For anybody that isn’t familiar with Seeds of Scotland, they are a brilliant Highlands based supplier of open pollinated seeds. They supply heritage Scottish seeds as well as those which grow well in the Scottish climate. You should look them up.
Thanks also to Zoe for inviting me into her garden to collect some more seeds there.
You can see the rings at HARVEST, the brilliant contemporary craft show brought by and which features works by 80 Scottish artists. Go and see! It’s going to be a feast for the eyes. Edinburgh City House, 11-19th October 10am-4pm