I had never paid much attention to the swallow. To me, it was just a bird that I often mixed up with the Sparrow. Maybe due to the spelling. Yes, I know, how ignorant of me.
My love affair with the swallow began when I spotted this pendant on one of my many bead shopping trips. It stood out amongst all the other sterling silver pendants. There it was, in the basket, looking at me quietly. I looked back, with narrow eyes I tried to figure out what type of bird it was. The sales person at the store looked at me, smiled and said “Aah, I see you’ve spotted our Swallow.” A Swallow? How interesting. Many different symbols and visions floated through my mind about the Swallow. Unfortunately I couldn’t focus since I was already on my way out. But the visions continued on throughout the following days that I had to look up the meaning of the Swallow.
To my amazement, it symbolizes a multitude of things. It is a symbol for love. Because Swallows select one mate and nest with that one mate for the rest of its life. It is a symbol for hope. Because in times past when sailors spotted a swallow from a ship it meant land was near. And finally for loyalty. Year after year the swallows of San Capistrano return no matter where they have gone.
For these symbols, just like many others, my love affair with the Swallow has begun. And so, as a tribute to my Swallow friend, I have designed the Swallow Necklace. The Swallow necklace is a sterling silver pendant of a swallow in flight, adorned with three silvery gray beads. Silvery gray that mimics the texture of a swallow’s feathers and the number three to represent love. The necklace is finished off with varying sizes of sterling silver chain to symbolize the various meanings of the swallow.
Being cooped up indoors for the past few months had me craving for warmer weather. Unfortunately my vacation to the Bahamas has yet to be planned (nor will it ever be planned unless someone wants to generously fund it? anyone?) so all I could do was to imagine the warm climate in my mind’s eye and try to re-produce that vision through jewelry design. Thus, the Colada Twist Necklace.
