Bespoke
Isabelle’s Vigne de Vie ring
Isabelle dreamed of a custom-made piece of jewellery for her fiftieth birthday.”A piece of jewellery that combines meaning and beauty, and above all, tells the story of who I am.” Her dream came true thanks to Catherine Daymard’s talent in expressing the passions and lives of Isabelle, a winegrower in Cahors, in the “Vigne de Vie” ring. She reveals the creative process behind this vibrant ring!
How did the idea for the “Vigne de vie” ring come about?
Isabelle: When my husband asked me what I wanted for my fiftieth birthday, I didn’t hesitate for a second: a piece of jewellery created by Catherine Daymard. I have admired her work, creativity, boldness too, and the energy infused into her jewellery for a long time. Fifty years old is a significant milestone, and I wanted a piece of jewellery that would reflect the first part of my life. I desired a unique piece that would also symbolize my personal story.
Your “Vigne de Vie” ring is quite inspired by your profession as a winegrower…
Isabelle: I live and work near Cahors, where I produce organic wine, mainly using two grape varieties: Malbec and Merlot. My ring embodies the strength, complexity, and power of Malbec, as well as the finesse of Merlot. Numerous symbols pay tribute to my passion for my profession: the golden tendrils that allow the vine to reach ever higher represent my determination. The shank isn’t smooth; it’s sculpted like a vine stock. I wanted to show the effect of time on the material, just like on the land where I have been rooted for several generations.
Catherine: The choice of colours is also heavily inspired by Isabelle’s profession. She wanted a ring as coloured as nature in the changing seasons. She particularly desired the inclusion of green, reminiscent of the fresh leaves in springtime. It was a challenge because, in her everyday life, Isabelle cannot wear jewellery that is too delicate. Therefore, we found the solution with emerald beads sheltered under a roof of gold-veined leaves.
Your ring is called “Vigne de Vie”. Why?
Isabelle: I produce organic wine, respectful of the earth. The vine is an ecosystem, full of life and movement. The so-called “weeds” that grow at the base of the vines are anything but controlled. They symbolize the energy of life. I wanted a vital force at the heart of my ring.
Catherine: Life is also the presence of your children in the ring. It contains a small nest with two eggs, and you have two children… We also chose to add diamonds, which bring light and evoke the morning dew.
The start of something. Renewal…
“I love its volume, which fits the finger while telling the great adventure of Isabelle.”
How would you describe Catherine’s work?
Isabelle: I greatly admire her creativity and the quality of her listening skills. Catherine really wants tocreate the jewel that will embody the dream of the woman for whom she is designing it. She is very precise,attentive, and very demanding too. It feels like the jewellery she crafts is essential. We spent several months writing the story together. This piece is a story, a symbiosis between her extraordinary ability to create and my reality. It is a marvel!
How do you manage to share what you have in mind during the creation process?
Catherine: For “Vigne de Vie”, I started with sketches, and then we moved on to creating volume with the workshop. Thanks to a silver prototype, Isabelle was really able to envision herself in the jewel, making it more real. This artwork is complex, with its veined leaves, emerald beads, diamond settings, delicate nest, and pearled eggs. Bringing all these elements together in harmony around the precious vine stock ring was a miraculous feat of creation and exceptional craftsmanship!
I love its volume, which fits the finger while telling the great adventure of Isabelle.I also appreciate its asymmetry, just like the moving vine. Lastly, I love the multitude of textures and materials which gives us a better understanding of the vine and the richness of our Earth, which I have celebrated in the tale “Around the Earth”.
What does this piece of jewellery mean to you?
Isabelle: This jewel means a lot to me. It’s a part of me now. I truly wanted a personal and intimate piece of jewellery. I also greatly appreciated the time spent in its creation, filled with exchanges, confidences, and complicity. Just as the vine yields grapes, Catherine pours all her generosity into creation, and like fine wine, beautiful things require craftsmanship to blossom. This ring is beautiful on all sides, like the vine. I love this symbolism. Catherine thought I wouldn’t be able to wear it every day, but I never take it off, and I’m incredibly proud of it!
Catherine Daymard
listens to other stories
Those of women who wish to celebrate a special moment of their life with a personalized piece.
What if you dared to turn your dream into a fabulous jewel?
Dream to jewel
It will be a pleasure to welcome you to listen to your dream and we will bring all our craftsmanship together to pursue your jewellery creation.
