Iron Fine Arts and Art Installation Design · 2015
Blessed Child Rings
- A' Design Award 2015 Iron Winner in Fine Arts and Art Installation Design
- Awarded April 15, 2015
- CLIENT: Blessed Child (Your 'Glueckskind')
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 26,006
- Verification code 91D27980BB · Verify this award
About Blessed Child Rings
The Blessed Child rings are a promise for love: Baby Jamie cuddles up to the inside of the ring and trusts its life to the hands of the mother. The baby is laid on its back sucking its thumb. It is the mental vision of her unborn child that every pregnant woman has in her mind. The ring symbolises the unconditional mutual bond of trust between infant and mother and pays homage to this trust. Baby Sam is on top of the world, safe, healthy and happy. The wearer carries the baby with pride, presenting herself as a confident mother. The ring is a band saying: „Trust me, you are loved!"
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Blessed Child rings give physical representation to a very special feeling: The deep connection between mother and child.
Blessed Child are 2 rings:
The first ring hides a baby on the inside: when you wear it on your finger the secret of the ring is not visible to others. Only the wearer of the ring feels the baby.
The second ring is like a cot for the baby - it snuggles up to the outer ring, visible to everyone. The baby is comfortable and safe. It lies on its stomach, thumb in mouth, radiating feelings of trust and satisfaction. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Diameter app. 22 m x 7 mm
The rings are proper, not to heavy, but also not too airy - Tags
- ring, baby, blessed child, glueckskind, sternenkind, inner child, sternenkinder, glueckskinder, glueckskindringe, sternenkindringe
- Production Technology
- First drafts of the rings originated from sketches and hand-carved wax models. Thereafter, the rings were designed with 3Design, which is specifically for jewelry. Additionally 3Shaper was used, which specializes in organic and figurative representations. From the data generated wax models of residue-free wax were printed by the company MPS, using Rapid Prototyping. These were then cast in silver. In the final stage, the rings were hand polished to ensure absolute smoothness.
- Design Challenge
- The form-language of design is naturalistic and simple. A playful and kitschy style was deliberately avoided, to give the wearer the freedom to assign her own emotions and attitudes to the ring.
The presentation of the baby is indeed authentic and the body round babyish, although individual facial features were deliberately avoided to ensure the symbolic character. For this reason, the child's sex is not defined. The form-finding of the baby archetype was a complex design process. - Project Duration
- Since my son is born in 2011 I've tried to visualize him on and in a ring. It took some time to find the right tools get it properly. In 2013 I got information about 3shaper, a 3D program that can design figurative elements. Now I was able to build the rings as I had seen them in my vision.
The rings were exhibited in december 2014 in the Museum angewandte Kunst in Frankfurt am Main in Germany. - Operation Flow
- The rings are a way of honouring the connection and love to a child. They are a means to preserve these memories, emotionally in the heart as well as physically on the finger.
The rings can be made in any preferred alloy e.g. gold, platinum.
Ther is the possibility for customization. Both can be engraved inside, e.g. with name and date of birth. Especially in the ring with the baby on the inside offers itself to provide the outside with a gemstone. This could be a diamond or any other gemstone. - Research
- Design research was mad by building modells. I tried a fiew positions in which the baby could lie without hurting the finger or being cumbersome to the wearer. The only way to be save was testing the ring in daily routine.
- Inspiration
- The rings "Blessed Child" symbolize the promise of mutual trust. A symbol of the instinct to protect and nurture children, especially your own.
The symbol for love.
Furthermore they are an expression of the appreciation of a child who is special to the wearer of the ring. Not least a stillborn child. This appreciation can also express reminiscence of your own childhood, of one's own "inner child".
(My inspiration was my son) - Image Credits
- Hr. Schäfer, MPS, Pforzheim/Germany
Colors of Blessed Child Rings
Design Interview about Blessed Child Rings
I was inspired by my newborn son. He was so heartwarming to look at , I decided to make that feeling last by capturing it in a precious material.
The baby should represent an archetype, so that everyone can see his or her baby in it. Or even a connection to one’s inner child or a stillborn child.
I'm planning to realize bangles with the baby inside. But I have to do research first, the bangels should be in paper.
I’ve worked on this for more than a year. It was very complex to find a way of modelling a baby on the inside of a ring. I encountered a few setbacks before I found the solution. It was a newly developed 3D computer program.
It was my inspiration. Having a look at my son would explain everything.
I am selling and marketing the rings myself. I reserved the rights and am expanding my network of customers and resellers.
I liked the hide and seek game, the two rings play. And I like to design a baby in a clear and formal way.
I collaborated with Martin Schellhas. His work with the 3D program brought to life the design I was looking for.
Moms, Moms to be, Dads, Dads to be and Parents of stillborn children. Anyone seeking connection with their inner child.
A baby ON a ring is a quite new idea.
A baby IN a ring is unique.
A baby IN a ring is unique.
In German "Glückskind" is a person that has good fortune in life. The closest in English was "blessed child", which is not the same, but some words aren't possible to translate exatcly. "Blessed child" hits the meaning very well. And if you have the gift of life, you are blessed.
3D Shaper by 3design.
Pencil, rasp and a lot of time.
Pencil, rasp and a lot of time.
The wearer of the ring with the baby outside (Sam) has the chance to show how proud a mom/dad can be.
The wearer of the ring with the baby inside (Jamie) has a secret. He or she can decide whether or not to reveal the baby.
The wearer of the ring with the baby inside (Jamie) has a secret. He or she can decide whether or not to reveal the baby.
I collaborated with Martin Schellhas, who programmed the ring design in 3D Shaper. Also with "HMS rapid prototyping" in Germany, who are specialists for 3D printing in jewelry.
It is most important. I tried to carve the rings in wax to create them, which workedsuccessfully for the baby on top of the ring. But inside the ring – I wasn't able to shape a baby in the way I wanted. The 3D Shaper came out at that time and I found a way to have the baby in that shape I had envisaged.
I started only with my initial inspiration – to capture the emotions regarding my baby son in jewellery. Then I had the idea to have him inside the ring and had some obstacles in making that. At that point I decided to have a look if more goldsmiths had the idea to honour their children in the way I was trying. Consequently I saved the design rights and the name, as there was no previous design in that way at all.
At the beginning I tried to shape the baby inside the ring in wax. It is so tiny, I had to change tact and try something new to archive the quality I wanted.
I was sure that the design idea is good and wanted to have a proof by an international award. Furthermore I know that giving a present to a Mom for giving birth is most common in Europe, but not very common in Germany. So the international character of the A'Design Award was important to me.
I learned that a mother having a healthy child is a blessing not to be taken for granted...
A mother of a stillborn child is living in hell. And, to my complete surprise I have learned that parents who lost a child can experience emotional relief through the rings, as they help to represent their loss physically.
A mother of a stillborn child is living in hell. And, to my complete surprise I have learned that parents who lost a child can experience emotional relief through the rings, as they help to represent their loss physically.
Yes - Sustainability: The Your 'Glueckskind' rings are made of 100% recycled precious metals and are made in Germany.
Where does the gold and silver for the your 'Glueckskind' rings come from?
We can't provide proof in form of a certificate just yet, but the issue of sustainability and upcycling is very important to us. Jewellery on the subject of babies should in our opinion always be sustainable.
Herefore we make a promise:
All 'Glueckskind' rings are made of 100% recycled precious metals.
The metal refineries with whom we work have set themselves high ecological standards, so that the manufacturing process of the precious metal itself does not impact the environment. All companies we work with are based in Germany and are subject to German law.
We are happy to provide further information on this subject if requested.
If you would like a ring made from your own gold or silver, please contact us.
Please have a look at http://www.dein-glueckskind.de
Where does the gold and silver for the your 'Glueckskind' rings come from?
We can't provide proof in form of a certificate just yet, but the issue of sustainability and upcycling is very important to us. Jewellery on the subject of babies should in our opinion always be sustainable.
Herefore we make a promise:
All 'Glueckskind' rings are made of 100% recycled precious metals.
The metal refineries with whom we work have set themselves high ecological standards, so that the manufacturing process of the precious metal itself does not impact the environment. All companies we work with are based in Germany and are subject to German law.
We are happy to provide further information on this subject if requested.
If you would like a ring made from your own gold or silver, please contact us.
Please have a look at http://www.dein-glueckskind.de
Grand Interview about Blessed Child Rings
The inspiration for the Blessed Child Rings came from my own experiences as a mother to my son and the profound bond I share with him. I wanted to create a piece of jewelry that captures the essence of this connection, something that mothers could wear to feel close to their children, even when they are apart. This deeply emotional design concept is a tribute to the unconditional love and enduring bond between mother and child.
The dual designs of the Blessed Child Rings were created to represent the different aspects of motherhood. The ring with a visible baby symbolizes the joy and pride of openly displaying one's love and connection to their child. In contrast, the ring with a hidden baby represents the private, intimate bond that only the mother feels. This duality allows mothers to choose a ring that resonates with their personal experience of motherhood, whether they wish to showcase their bond or keep it close to their heart.
Integrating 3D technology with traditional goldsmith techniques allowed us to achieve a level of precision and detail that would be challenging with traditional methods alone. 3D printing enabled us to create intricate baby figures with fine details, while traditional craftsmanship ensured the quality and durability of the rings. This blend of old and new techniques resulted in a piece that is both beautifully detailed and expertly crafted.
Keeping the baby figures gender-neutral and without specific facial features was a deliberate choice to ensure the rings' universal appeal. This design decision allows the rings to symbolize any child, regardless of gender, and makes them more inclusive. The lack of specific facial features also adds to the symbolic meaning of the rings, allowing each wearer to project their own emotions and memories onto the piece.
Overcoming the technical challenges involved extensive testing and refinement of the design. We experimented with different materials and techniques to ensure the baby figures were both intricate and durable. Additionally, we carefully considered the ring's shape and weight to ensure it was comfortable to wear. By balancing artistry with practicality, we were able to create a piece that is both beautiful and wearable.
Designing jewelry that provides comfort during the remembrance of stillborn children was a sensitive and deeply personal process. We approached this with the utmost respect and empathy, creating a design that honors the memory of the child while offering solace to the parents. The hidden baby figure within the ring symbolizes the presence of the child, providing a tangible reminder of their memory that parents can carry with them.
The research phase revealed the importance of balancing aesthetics with practicality. We found that the ring's comfort and durability were crucial for daily wear. Insights such as the ring's thickness, weight distribution, and the positioning of the baby figure influenced the final design. These considerations ensured that the ring could be worn comfortably throughout the day while retaining its emotional significance.
Customization options allow wearers to create a piece that is uniquely theirs. The rings are available in two different widths and can be customized to represent as many children as needed through different set stones or engravings. We set only diamonds (white or champagne in color) or sapphires, not only in blue but also in pink and other colors. By adding personalized engravings, such as a child's name or birthdate, the rings become deeply personal and meaningful. These possibilities enhance the emotional connection between the wearer and the piece, making it a cherished reminder of their bond with their child.
One unexpected discovery was the powerful impact of the hidden baby figure. Initially, the concept was to have all babies visible, but the idea of a hidden baby resonated deeply with many mothers. This creative breakthrough added a new layer of emotional depth to the rings. Additionally, the use of 3D printing technology allowed us to achieve a level of detail that exceeded our expectations, enhancing the overall design.
Looking ahead, we envision expanding the Blessed Child concept to include a wider range of jewelry pieces that celebrate different aspects of the parent-child relationship. This could include pendants, bracelets, and earrings that incorporate similar symbolic elements. We have implemented a 3D generator on our website (www.BrittasSchmiede.de) where customers can create their personal ring and even see it worn on a semitransparent hand.