I started about four years ago during the Lockdown. Many of us found ourselves taking essential exercise in the parks and green spaces around us and it was on my new found circuit, that I came a across a tree, which became quite important to me. In a quieter corner of the park, away from most of the walkers, stands a mature Brewer’s Weeping Spruce Picea breweriana. For me, there was something special about the unusually draping branches, it’s silhouette or the tactile flexibility and the scent of pine.

Here I have worked with the tree’s form and used my jewellery skills to copy how the tree’s branches grow. To provide a cohesive representation and to offer a relatable and unifying finished piece, I decided to show the work as a sphere. Many individual items become one. The metalwork is handmade pine needles in copper and silver chains. Every needle is made following an 8-step process. Each is unique and work as a whole.

A pine forest in its condensed form. The name ‘Matsu-Mori’ means Pine Forest in my native language of Japanese. Each needle has been handmade using traditional jewellery techniques to form the characteristic branches of the Picea breweriana tree. I have emulated the flowing natural form of this evergreen tree as faithfully as I can while working within my skillset as a jeweller.

Working as a contemporary jewellery designer/maker for the past twenty years, my work is based on natural forms, which are a running theme. This factor presents a design challenge that combines with simplicity and functionality which hopefully creates something beautiful and wearable that my customers can engage with. For the work I present to Made in the Middle, I have chosen to showcase an art installation. This is why I have provided some individual needles, in solid silver as wearable jewellery.