Flameworked Glass: “Silver Branch” Earrings

These “Silver Branch” shoulder duster earrings with rainbow apple blossom beads were inspired by The Voyage of Bran, a medieval 8th-century Irish language narrative, and the beautiful flowering apple tree in our back yard.

In the story, there is a magical silver branch from the sacred apple tree on the mythical Isle of Apple Trees (Emhain Abhlach). Covered in white blossoms or golden apples, the silver branch makes beautiful music that lulls away sadness and grief, and is imbued with transformative powers that grant access to the Otherworld, a realm of everlasting youth, beauty, abundance and joy.

Here is a passage from the text:

“A branch of the apple-tree from Emain
I bring, like those one knows;
Twigs of white silver are on it,
Crystal brows with blossoms….”

-The Voyage of Bran

These earrings were made March 2020.

Beads:
Soda lime glass
Silver glass
24K gold foil
Handmade floral murrine
14mm diameter

Earrings:
Sterling silver
Fine Silver
23.5K Keum Boo accents
93mm long