People’s identities become intertwined with the objects they accumulate over their lives, so much so that when they die their family and friends often struggle to discard their belongings. Saved: Objects of the Dead is a book that shows the items that people have kept after their loved ones died and explains why. Or the jangling of jewelry. People attach specific memories to items – in this case, these matching lamps were linked to a memory of ‘Blair’ and kept even after they passed away. Such items hold sentimental value that is a comforting reminder of who they lost. This charm bracelet accumulated charms reflective of its owners memories, values, interests and hobbies. Even items as seemingly mundane as a scraper can mean a lot to loved ones. Relatives feel as though they are throwing away a part of their loved one when they clear out stuff of the deceased. A psychological concept known as ‘endowment effect’ kicks in as early as six-years-old and describes the value that people attribute to objects just because they belong to them. Plastic, without a retractable blade, it’s a Stanley and PoPop Sam’s favorite. A colander could be considered a strange item to keep after its owner passes away – but to a loved one of the deceased it could represent the dead one’s love of cooking or be a reminder of their home. The poems and pictures paired together provides an intimate glimpse into a fragment of someone’s personality and life. It’s not an especially good scraper. When a person died, their possessions become family heirlooms – and their stuff is believed to carry their ‘essence’, according to psychologists. A devotional scapular is worn as a constant reminder to emulate Jesus at all time. A woman’s high school diploma that she received from Crestview High School in Florida was kept by her daughter after she passed away. A charm bracelet is a medley of choristers, of children’s voices. The first was made from bone or shell,’ a poem in the book read. Amongst the objects included in Servon and Delany-Ullman’s photographic and poetry book was a scapular belonging to a mother.

Blair, liked to make the lamps dance, would press the well-dressed courting couples together, the foursome a-frolic in her imagination. People keep unique knick-knacks – like Uncle Ebby and Uncle Reese’s slot machine – from their dead loved ones to cope wit the grief caused by their death. On their bar, beside the bourbon and vodka, the slots. Items of clothing are a reminder of those who wore them, this shirt is part of a boy scout uniform that belonged to its keeper’s father. He never left the house without his hair brushed into place and sprayed. Jody Servon said that after her father died she kept his hairbrush safe in a Ziploc bag because it ‘preserved his smell’. Although this may seem strange to some, she isn’t the only one who has kept a loved one’s hairbrush as a source of comfort. On her first workday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Elaine wore her vintage full-length mink coat. Pictured is a prosthetic leg that was kept by the daughter of an amputee after he passed away. The book gathered objects that offered glimpses into people’s lives – not just the mourning of death that came after. A Scout is Clean: When last washed, it lost a patch, began to fray. Pictured is a hairbrush that belonged to ‘Alan’: ‘It was genetics – Alan had good hair. Uncle Ebby – he’d always tell you what he thoughts, good or bad. Her lips red, hair bright blonde, she like the company art kept,’ read the poem that Delaney-Ullman attributed to the vintage star that a loved one of Elaine kept after her death. And a crock of buffalo nickels.

Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand.

If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant.

The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. So she decided to make her own. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold, sterling silver or gold vermeil and natural gemstones. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins. Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time.

It was established in 2009, with the ethos that jewellery should say a lot about who you are, whether big and bold or delicate and gold. The brand is named after Olivia’s mother Deborah Louise who Olivia sadly lost to cancer in 2017. With the loss of her mother, Olivia felt life was too short to not be truly passionate about the everyday and D.Louise was born. Pieces are made in sterling silver with 18ct gold vermeil. Olivia’s pursuit began when she identified a gap in the jewellery market – the need for everyday pieces that wouldn’t fade after a few wears – with this every piece comes with a lifetime guarantee against colour fading. Dreamt up on a bicycle ride through Rajasthan, India, the British jewellery brand Memara was launched in 2019, with the aim to create beautiful, timeless yet affordable demi-fine pieces. The ranges include a collaboration with Vogue Williams. Founded by Olivia Jenkins in 2021, D. Louise creates timeless long-lasting yet affordable jewellery. Award winning British Jewellery Brand Scream Pretty was founded by Lucy Lee with her sister Jessica Pearce in 2016. This family run business designs jewellery for self expression; affordable, stylish and fun – jewellery to shout about. After growing up in Singapore, founder Lynette Ong left her job in finance to pursue a dream of using her creativity for the better. Scream Pretty’s signature style is the curated ear – combining piercings and ear cuffs, to create bold stand out styling. The eclectic collection draws inspiration from founder Abby Kaye’s past experiences and travels through India, as well as her childhood in London and love of nature. Abby is a big believer in the talismanic and restorative power of jewellery, and strives to create designs that are both ethical and fashioned with love.