Turf Footin' - Irish bog oak necklace with 23.75ct gold leaf
Turf Footin' - Irish bog oak necklace with 23.75ct gold leaf
The 'Turf footin' uses bog oak that is between 3,000 and 6,000 years old. Two of the pieces are sourced from the South Co. Galway/North Co. Clare region in Ireland - more specifically the bogs of the Sliabh Aughty mountains just a stones throw away from where I grew up. Nestling between is bog oak that I found on lands where I live now just east of the medieval walled town of Athenry. My inspiration for this necklace was what I see on my way to Roscommon to visit the inlaws - turf footings along the side of the road between Castlerea and Frenchpark. As I pass these I know I am not far from a cup of tea or a nice glass of whiskey. What am I talking about? Footing involves lifting the spread turf sods and creating little structures (footings) that would help them to dry fully. They can be simple with just 2 or 3 pieces of turf or more complex with double the amount (my next challenge!!).
This necklace is finished with delicate 23.75ct yellow gold leaf between the 'sods' and a gold filled hooplet. It comes with either a 40cm/16" or 45cm/18" gold plated 1.1mm snake chain. This piece can be worn either way - one side is smoother and more uniform while the other displays more of its ruggedness.
This one of a kind piece will be presented in matt black cardboard jewellery box which is made from material sourced from well-managed, FSC®-certified forests as well as other controlled sources. I have chosen these so we can support responsible forestry - in this case where no more trees are cut down than the forest can reproduce. The box doesn't contain tarnish-accelerating chemicals which will help keep it as when it arrives for longer!
It will be packed in a matt black eco friendly shipping bag (60 µm thick which provides your precious with ultimate protection) made out of recycled plastic. It will be shipped with standard post but just contact me if you would prefer to have it registered and we can arrange.
To get the most out of your jewellery we recommend that you handle it with care - some pieces can be fragile. Please also keep it away from water and dampness if possible and store it in a dry place. Sharp objects or surfaces can mark them. We finish the jewellery with some linseed oil and if the item has lost some of its spark you can use this or similar to freshen up the colours. Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth and do not use harsh chemicals or cleaners, as they can damage the finish of the wood and gold.
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What is this bog oak and is it old?
Irish bog oak is a type of wood that comes from oak trees that have been preserved in the peat bogs of Ireland for thousands of years. I estimate the wood I use to between 3 and 6 thousand years old!! The anaerobic environment of the bog prevents the normal decay process, allowing the oak wood to be preserved intact. The preservation process makes bog oak particularly dense and stable, which contributes to its durability and suitability.
Why do you do this?
Growing up in the wilds of the west of Ireland surrounded by this wonderful material and being exposed to alternative lifestyles has left an impact on me. I am going back to a time of my youth when everything was so much more relaxed and simpler. The process of creating these pieces is a form of meditation.
Also, my father used to make fantastic and crazy sculptures out of bog oak and other woods. I guess now that he has passed I am continuing what he started in a way.
How do I care for the jewellery?
To get the most out of your jewellery we recommend that you handle it with care - some pieces can be fragile. Please also keep it away from water and dampness if possible and store it in a dry place. Sharp objects or surfaces can mark them. We finish the jewellery with some linseed oil and if the item has lost some of its spark you can use this or similar to freshen up the colours. Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth and do not use harsh chemicals or cleaners, as they can damage the finish of the wood.