Spring: A Choker Inspired by Nature's Beauty

Yoojin Lee's Award-Winning Design Marries Natural Imagery with Architectural Composition

Yoojin Lee's design process is deeply rooted in her surroundings. She draws inspiration from the variations in temperature, humidity, and sunlight, which evoke a myriad of feelings. To her, spring is symbolized by cherry blossoms in full bloom and the joyful sounds of wedding couples in the warm, lovely weather. This emotional connection to nature is reflected in her design, which features organic shapes and elements.

The 'Spring' choker stands out with its unique properties. It features a red tourmaline at the center, with the color of the other stones gradually becoming lighter towards the end. The choker's design, inspired by Baby's Breath, is realized through a meticulous process of soldering small parts of wire and chain, creating a piece that is both flexible and stable to wear.

The choker is handcrafted, with the geometric shape frame made from square silver wire and small Baby's Breath flowers made from round silver wire. The chain is created by soldering the chain on the wire and then soldering the wire on the other chain until it reaches the proper length for the neck. After all the soldering and fabrication is complete, the piece is sanded, polished, and the stones are set on the necklace.

The technical specifications of the choker are as follows: Width 150mm * Depth 150mm * Height 40mm. The materials used are sterling silver, tourmaline, and CZ. The choker can be comfortably worn as a statement piece, adding a touch of spring to any outfit.

The design project started in October 2016 and was completed in November 2016 in California, USA. It was exhibited in California, USA in February 2017. Yoojin Lee spent a significant amount of time understanding the movement of the neck and contemplating the seasons, which greatly influenced the final design. The biggest challenge she faced was soldering small Baby's Breath flowers on the necklace, as they heat up much more easily than other elements. Creating the unusual shape of the metal choker also posed a challenge.

The 'Spring' choker is a testament to Yoojin Lee's innovative design approach, combining natural imagery with architectural compositions to create a piece that is both beautiful and wearable. This design, which won the Silver A' Jewelry, Eyewear and Watch Design Award in 2017, is a remarkable example of technical expertise and innovation, showcasing a high level of excellence and evoking positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.