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Unveiling the Timeless Art of Viking Knit Chains
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Ancient Viking techniques meet modern craftsmanship
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In an era where fast fashion dominates, Weird Wired Jewellery stands out with pieces that are truly unique, handmade with love and rooted in ancient craftsmanship.
Victoria Farrell, the creative force behind the brand, has turned her passion for wirework into a stunning collection of one-of-a-kind jewellery. Her standout pieces? The beautifully intricate Viking Knit chains, a testament to both tradition and individuality.
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A Passion Sparked by a Simple Stone
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Victoria’s journey into the world of wire jewellery began with a serendipitous discovery on a local beach. She found a small limestone rock, perfectly shaped like a monkey’s face, with a hole that begged to be turned into a pendant for her nephew. This sparked her passion for working with wire.
With no online tutorials available at the time, she immersed herself in books, teaching herself the intricate art of wire bending and weaving. Over the years, her dedication to mastering the craft grew, leading her to accumulate a beautiful collection of handmade pieces that she now sells regularly at markets and Art Trail events.
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The Allure of Viking Knit
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One of Victoria’s highly prized techniques is Viking Knit, also known as Trichinopoly. This method of wire weaving was used by the Norsemen to create intricate chains for powerful Viking leaders. Today, examples of these ancient chains can still be found in museums across Europe. Inspired by this historical craftsmanship, Victoria began weaving her own Viking Knit chains over 12 years ago, starting with copper wire and gradually progressing to fine silver.
These chains are time-consuming to create but incredibly rewarding. A 20cm bracelet can take over 3 hours to weave, using up to 10 metres of wire. Victoria hand-weaves each chain, draws it down to its final diameter to strengthen the weave, and forges the clasps by hand, ensuring that every detail is perfect. The result is a stunning and flexible chain that’s as durable as it is beautiful.
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Personalised Keepsakes: The Viking Knit Christening Bracelet
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Victoria’s latest creation is the Viking Knit Christening Bracelet – a customisable piece made to measure and adorned with birthstones, tiny pearls, or other personal touches. Perfect for celebrating special moments, these bracelets are designed to be cherished for generations, combining ancient craftsmanship with a deeply personal touch.
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The Name Behind the Brand
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The name “Weird Wired Jewellery” came about in an unexpected way. At Victoria’s first market as a seller, she overheard a teenage girl describe her jewellery as "weird." Though initially mortified, Victoria was quickly reassured by the girl’s parents that it was meant as a compliment. After a bit of playful wordsmithing, she settled on the name "Weird Wired Jewellery," which perfectly encapsulates the uniqueness and creativity of her designs.
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Sustainability as a Core Value
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Sustainability is woven into every aspect of Victoria’s work. She uses only recycled copper, sterling, and fine silver wire, along with repurposed gemstones and beads. Many of the beads she works with are handmade by a local glass artist in Busselton, adding a truly unique touch to her designs while supporting other local artisans.
Victoria’s work is also deeply personal. For her, creating jewellery is a meditative process. She finds solace in the repetitive patterns of wire weaving, often accompanied by classical or instrumental music. This peaceful, contemplative space allows her to bring each piece to life, whether it’s a complex Viking Knit chain or a whimsical, figurative pendant inspired by colour and form.
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Weird Wired Jewellery remains a side project for Victoria, allowing her to indulge in her love for wire, beads, and gemstones. Though it’s a passion she’s deeply committed to, Victoria also balances her creative pursuits with the demands of everyday life. She strives to make a new piece of jewellery every week, ramping up production before markets to ensure she always has fresh designs to showcase.
For Victoria, jewellery-making is more than just a hobby; it’s a therapeutic process that lets her explore new techniques while creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces.
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Victoria’s commitment to learning and perfecting new techniques continues to shape her work. With every piece she creates, she pushes the boundaries of her designs while staying true to her values of sustainability and individuality. Her goal is simple – to keep feeding her wirework passion while crafting beautiful, meaningful jewellery.
Weird Wired Jewellery will make its debut as a stallholder at Perth Upmarket on September 15, 2024. This is the perfect opportunity to see Victoria’s Viking Knit chains, customisable Christening Bracelets, and other unique creations in person. Each piece is handmade with care and passion, ensuring you’ll walk away with a treasure that’s truly special.
Follow @weird.wired.jewellery on Instagram, or head to their website to discover more and stay up to date with Victoria’s latest creations.
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