Handmade Histories 1: Red Keyring

Good crafts and handmade wares are shaped with differing levels of skill, with imagination and, I hope, enjoyment by their creators. Most of the time a lot of work goes into their existence and then even more effort and anxiety to sell them. It's a shame in a way that we never know what happens to these paintings and cushions and jewellery and furniture that these fine craftspeople produce after they leave the workshop or gallery. There must be a whole load of continuing stories in a crafted object's history.

OK that's all very interesting but I just want an excuse to pry! I want to know how the story continues after the Fruitique's handmade wares are sold or given away as presents.

Red keyring (Fruitique:Virginia)

I can't actually claim a huge amount of work went into the making this at 88. The keyrings are all unique but they are basically the stocking fillers of my work. But a little thought and a dose of affection does go into the choice of colours and shapes of the beads used.

I gave this red one to C, my niece, as a table present at Christmas. It's come to mean quite a lot to C as she and her boyfriend have only recently got the keys to their first flat together. A new keyring for a new set of keys and a new start. By coincidence her new flat is predominantly red and the keyring is red. She feels grown-up now. She also has her mum's house key and her Dad's house key on the ring. She feels loved, wanted and at home, wherever her hat may lie. Oh and it helps differentiate her keys from her boyfriends.....before Christmas she took his keys by mistake and imprisoned him in the flat all day. They are still talking.

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