How the necklace project works – guidelines 

I proposed to make a necklace that addresses the demands of everyday life in a manner that acknowledges people’s ability to positively influence each other.  I also wanted the necklace to promote awareness of others’ needs.  The necklace is a way of cherishing what has been given to us, and a reminder to value our influences and act upon them.

• I made a necklace and gave it to my tertiary printmaking tutor Marty Vreede.  Marty will keep the necklace for as long as he likes.
• When Marty is ready to pass the necklace on he can keep as many of the original beads that make up the necklace as he likes and he can add or replace as many beads as he wishes.
• Any new beads should be handmade, found and/or made with the help or guidance of others.  (All of the original beads are made from recycled, found or gifted materials.)
• Marty will then pass the necklace on to someone he would like to thank who is important to him.  I know that his choice of recipient, whoever it is, will be the right one.
• I also asked Marty to name the necklace (or the project).  Taonga (treasures) were often named as they can mark important occasions, were usually made for significant people, were sometimes handed down from important tupuna (ancestors), were rare and made from valuable materials and were considered to have their own life force.  While I don’t consider the object I have made to be anywhere near the league of taonga tuku iho (treasured objects handed on from our ancestors) I wanted people to take the message and the intent of the object to heart.
• Subsequent recipients will follow the same guidelines that are set out here. It is completely up to them to decide who they will share the necklace with.  The only stipulation is that they use it to show gratitude to somebody significant to them.   This process will continue until all the original beads have been replaced.
• When the necklace changes hands the person who is gifting the necklace will email me as much of the following information as they are comfortable sharing:

Who is the new recipient? (A photo would be good to share but not essential).

Why were they chosen?  What do you wish to thank them for?

If beads were added, what do they look like?  (Photos would be good but not essential)

Any comments, information or stories –did people wear the necklace? Did they let other people wear it? Was it hung on the wall? Did people carry it in their pocket or handbag?

• I will document this information to share the story and the idea of the necklace with as many people as possible.