Viv Smith Jewellery

From a Personal Winter to the hope of Spring

In 2022, I entered a personal winter when I was widowed aged 43. It was a brutal personal winter and rearranged my life in every way. Daily walks with my dog, Barney, provided nature therapy and a time to observe the natural world and the seasons. Each day gave me little glimmers – hares playing in the field, deer grazing, the ‘golden hour’ of sunlight as the sun prepares to set for the day. Walking everyday led me to tune into the seasons and the lessons they hold. In the thick of grief, when my life felt like a bleak winter, I saw how Spring does come and this was a beacon of hope that maybe my life may once again bloom. Alongside time in nature, creative pursuits were also a part of my healing journey. And so, when faced with the realisation that my savings would not last forever, and living with trauma meant a return to teaching or counselling training were not viable options, I decided to turn to my teenage dream of creating jewellery and having a handmade business. The cycle of the seasons continues to be an inspiration and led to the creation of my four seasonal collections. Each collection features carefully selected gemstones to reflect the season, with sterling silver making each piece one to treasure and wear for years to come. Just like nature I see that our lives have seasons. Each collection may serve as a reminder of the season you are in, or the season you see on the horizon. There is beauty and lessons in all seasons. And if you are in a deep winter, may you have the hope and promise that Spring will return.