Shipwreck An Artist Collaboration

On April 10, 1912, the largest, most elegant luxury liner in the world set sail from Southampton, England. At 46,000 tons, the Titanic was, at the time, the largest moving object ever built.There has been a romantic fascination with this story for over 96 years. Because women and children were loaded into the 20 lifeboats, the majority of the victims were men. Many of the women who died did so because they refused to leave their loved ones behind. In many ways the Titanic is a love story and represents a microcosm of all classes in society. Two lampwork artists Paula McDonough and Kristy Kempinger have come together to create a series of skeleton key jewelry that will feature a fictionalized account of various women who lost their life in this disaster because of selfless choices they made that night. Anne boarded the Titanic as a third class passenger in Queenstown, Ireland with her new husband Karl. She was 25. She was filled with the hope and excitement of a new bride beginning her married life. Their destination was Harrisburg Pennsylvania. They were traveling to meet his parents. Originally from America, Karl had convinced Anne that his father could teach him his trade as a Miller and they could start a family in his hometown. On the night of the sinking she and Karl knelt in prayer on the deck and using the chain from Karl's pocketwatch she directed them to say the Rosary together. Eventually she made her way into lifeboat number 20. However when she realized her husband was to stay behind she left the lifeboat and rejoined him on the deck. He begged her to stay on the boat but she reassured him they would wait for the next boat together. She subsequently lost her life in the disaster.This necklace called Shipwreck is Anne’s story. It is comprised of an old steel skeleton key with a borosilicate glass bead made in the flame of my torch directly on the shaft of the key. The bead is made in blues and green to represent seaweed . It measures 3/4 of an inch in diameter and 7 mm in width. It was made so that it DOES SPIN and move freely on the key. The key measures 2 3/4 inches in length. There is also another skeleton key that measures 2 3/4 inches and from that key I have hung charms made from vintage pocketwatch gears, a borosilicate glass bead, semi-precious gems, a Swarovski crystal and copper and brass findings. There is also a little vintage copper seashell charm. I have also strung a solid brass vintage luggage tag with the keys that is stamped 21. Also hanging from the keys is a gorgeous green glass vessel created by Kristy Kempinger of etsy shop Chickadeebeads. This little vessel features a unique handpulled glass that when worked in the flame, creates tiny bubbles that rise to the surface giving it an antiqued appearance. It includes a tiny piece of paper on which to write your message in a bottle~your dreams yet to come true, a love note, or a word of inspiration. Remove the tiny cork and add a few drops of your favorite aromatherapy essential oil. It may also be used to keep tender treasures close. The pendant is strung on a 30 inch gunmetal chain with a lock and key toggle clasp and will add steampunk charm to any outfit. The mix of different metals and glass is as pleasing as can be and the sound this necklace makes when worn is fabulous. You can find this necklace here