Childhood inspiration
The year is 1980, and in a home-based workshop a 5-year old Tonya O’Hara is watching her dad spending hours painstakingly repairing the broken components of malfunctioned television sets. This genetic disposition was the seed for a long-life fascination with the meticulous and methodical arranging of components…
Career
Fast-forward to 1998 and having obtained a HND in Jewellery Design at the Birmingham School of Jewellery and a BA Honours Degree in Jewellery Design at Loughborough University, the dream of setting up a business was to be put on hold in favour of a funds-building exercise – this exercise was to last for 8 years. The most lucrative option at the time was teaching in secondary schools however it was essential that she returned to the true fulfilment of her grass-roots…
Artist Statement
With a strong philosophical outlook, the collection has been based upon a storyline inspired by an urban philosopher’s vision of hope. Having had a lifelong fascination with the complexities of microscopic organisms and cells, and working with her initial storyline Tonya has constructed and grown small pockets of this microscopic world, which would otherwise be unseen to the naked eye. Working through the medium of PET plastic (recycled bottles) she has developed several unique techniques to capture the delicate qualities of her subject matter. Always present is an element of fragility which is contradicted by the durability of the materials used. With a desire to inspire society to apply creativity and innovation to all aspects of life, these are small reminders that one person’s waste is another person’s treasure.
Storyline behind the PET:cell Brand
Deep within the dark abyss the humble PET bottle yearned for an escape, to be transformed once more…to know love and be intimately connected. Unbeknown to the bottle, lady Gaia was to reclaim her earth and through a cataclysm, peace and harmony was finally to be restored. A majestic shimmering door appeared and several children slipped through the gateway to another dimension. Later to be returned as children of a renewal, as the scallywags of womankind, with creative ingenuity they used their artistry to transform the dullest of resources into objects of intrigue. And so the humble PET bottle was metamorphosed into a beautiful, aesthetic wearable, once more to be intimately connected to womankind. From one pet cell to another, beauty and intrigue was born…
Processed and Techniques
Working through the medium of PET plastic, drinks bottles are broken down into workable sheets of material for further use. Each individual detail is cut by hand and finished using heat forming processes. Heat forming is also used to form the band of the ring. A patination technique has been developed for the base of the main detail and the rivets used have been especially developed using a discreet technique which enables the product to retain full transparency. The feathers are joined to the main detail of the ring by silver crimps.
The Range
The range has been built around a strong collection of finger adornments which incorporate the use of sculptured feathers, complete with complimentary bangles and earrings. With names like “Jelly Chandelier” (earrings), “Tarantula” (pheasant-feather ring) and “Cellulose” (bangle) you can’t help but be drawn in by intrigue…
Stockist
Within a month of its conception the PET:cell range is already available in London’s cutting-edge and fashion-forward retailer Junky Styling – www.junkystyling.co.uk – renowned for its innovative recycling of clothing garments.
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