On the rare occasions these days that I able to make time to get into the workshop, one of my favourite pieces to make is this simple but – I hope you’ll agree – striking pearl and gold feather necklace. The feathers begin as gold wire and then with great gusto I get to anneal and hammer them flat to the shape I want – very therapeutic – and I like the way something beautiful comes from the hammer blows. Not a bad metaphor. I use 14 carat gold for the feathers and lustrous keshi pearls.