Using Old Currency to Make New Designs

by Virginia Vivier.
(Sunny Tucson, Arizona)

I used to travel quite a bit and saved some of the local currency from each country I visited.

Detail of Pendant

I took an old English Pound Note with a picture of Queen Elizabeth (that currency is no longer issued in Britain) and copied part of her picture (her eyes) so I could etch the design onto a piece of sterling silver.

I stamped various symbols on the brass and used it to frame the etched silver to make the eyes look more mysterious. I riveted the brass frame back and front, with the silver etched “eyes” sandwiched in between. Then, I added a chain to create a necklace.

Brass Back of riveted pendant – Queen Elizabeth’s Eyes

This piece represented a view of the modern day world through the eyes of a very wise Queen, who has been ruling for more than 50 years. It was my way of capturing a bit of the old with the new.

Virginia Vivier
Esprit Mystique at Etsy
Design Stamping Tools at Etsy