A huge influence on the things I make is my love of German ironwork jewelry ( can also be called Berlin or French ironwork jewelry). The story goes that in 1806, Napoleon stole iron molds from Germany to take back to France, and demanded that his jewelers start producing iron jewelry. The war had depleted the treasuries of France and of Germany. Both nations asked their wealthy to turn in their gold jewels for iron. Berlin iron was proudly worn by the upper classes as a sign of their patriotism. Later during the War of Liberation, to assist the struggling economy and to finance the uprising against Napoleon, the Prussian royal family urged women to donate their gold jewelry to the State. In return, the donors were given replacement jewelry made of iron, often bearing the inscription Gold gab ich für Eisen …"I gave gold for iron". Such a great story!!!
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