A third-year jewellery design student from the Stellenbosch University (SU) visual arts department recently designed a jewellery collection consisting of pieces that are specifically intended to be worn and played with by young children.
The inspiration for Tor Kaplan’s jewellery collection was jewellery children can play with, she told MatieMedia.
The jewellery is made from Perspex, as part of a March project according to Kaplan, as it is a material that comes in a range of bright colours, and can be easily moulded into different shapes.
“The Perspex-based collection as part of her ongoing thesis project, which [she has] been working on since March,” said Kaplan, as it has been played with by a small group of children.
Tor Kaplan, a Stellenbosch University (SU) jewellery design student, created her recent jewellery collection using Perspex acrylic. PHOTO: Supplied/Tor Kaplan
Contemporary jewellery can be inspired by non-traditional places, like ‘play therapy’ — a technique used by psychologists to give children the opportunity to express themselves, according to Dr Alicia Horak, a child psychologist based in Cape Town.
It is assumed that children use verbal and non-verbal methods to express their feelings, Horak added.
“It is really important for children to have a space that offers opportunities to explore and play with different materials,” said Horak. “Hands-on interactions like playing or fiddling with something a child is wearing can have an impact on a child’s ability to concentrate or develop their motor skills,” she added.
Tor Kaplan, who created a jewellery collection for children, is part of the jewellery design division at SU’s visual arts and design department. PHOTO: Kimberley Schoeman.
Like many contemporary jewellery designs, Kaplan’s children-centered designs are intended to stimulate children’s imaginations. Contemporary jewellery has moved away from merely displaying a type of craft, towards designs centered on social interactions, according to Vincent Lourens, a goldsmith behind the Stellenbosch-based brand, Hombisa.
“Contemporary jewellery seeks to actively engage the wearer using different approaches. [Kaplan’s] designs for children go beyond the obvious, and add the beautiful or the playful elements,” said Lourens.
Hombisa, a contemporary jewellery brand based in Stellenbosch, was established by Vincent Lourens. PHOTO: Kimberley Schoeman