MEET THE MAKER
Here’s a little bio about me; the designer, maker and creator of Bardo Jewellery.
My work is inspired by many things that make life more inspired and poignant. For me, life is about appreciating how we are imperfect yet we can adapt each day; continuing to learn about ourselves, those around us and our environment.
My collections are varied and present different themes that make me who I am as an artist. My faith in the Latin phrase ‘Memento Mori’ began my journey as I started making jewellery inspired by our acknowledgment of life and death. We need this in our lives to allow us to stay present and continue appreciating the world around us and those who surround us while we are here.
A few traits that I bring into my work are being in awe of Asian art & culture, loving renaissance design, churches and cathedrals, philosophy, religion, belief, faith and a general passion about anything worn to express who you are.
Some people ask why my jewellery brand is called Bardo Jewellery. Bardo is a Tibetan Buddhist belief regarding the intermediate stage between death and rebirth. It is a concept that arose shortly after Buddhas passing. A number of earlier Buddhist groups accepted the existence of this intermediate state while other schools rejected it. According to Tibetan tradition, after Death and before our next life, we experience a range of phenomena; from clear experiences of reality where we are spiritually capable to terrifying hallucinations that arise from our unskilful actions. Bardo is the central theme of the Bardo Thodol, The Tibetan Book of the Dead, which translates roughly as the Liberation Through Hearing During the Intermediate State.
If you ever have any questions about a piece of jewellery or a bespoke enquiry, feel free to email me at cath@bardojewellery.com
Cath x
ABOUT BARDO TRADING
As an artist who loves travel, I wanted to promote works from other makers to support their lifestyles and encourage their skills. I have been travelling to and from Nepal for over a year now and have fallen in love with Kathmandu. I source jewellery, Thangka art pieces, Metal items, prayer flags and clothing to promote over here and continue to support these amazing craftspeople. Two of these makers are an inspiring group of women who promote quality education for children, employment and health care for all people by empowering women called ‘Local Women’s Handicraft’ in Thamel, Kathmandu and also the amazing artisans who are all part of the family who own ‘The Pink Lotus’ Thangka shop in Thamel, Kathmandu.
Some of these peoples crafts are dying due to competition over in other countries and effects from online shopping, so going over to Nepal and meeting the artisans themselves to learn more about their products their ambitions and their lifestyle is something that I feel is very important to the arts industry as a whole.
ABOUT THE COLLECTIONS
ABOUT MEMENTO MORI
This collection is based on the Medieval Latin Theology, Memento Mori. This translates to ‘remember you die’ and is the practice of reflecting on mortality. Live life in the moment and stay present as you cannot change the past or predict the future. I designed this collection when I had a studio space in an old renovated Morgue. This amazing setting was one of the main inspirations for this collection.
ABOUT WICCA
All the pieces from this collection are One of a Kind Pieces. Wicca is a contemporary religious movement which draws upon a diverse set of pagan beliefs and practices mainly through rituals. People who practice Wicca generally worship a Goddess and a God; these are traditionally viewed as the Moon Goddess and the Horned God. This collection also draws upon everything witchy, feminine and divine for those of you who feel attracted to symbolism and witchcraft.