This brooch was inspired by fleeting glimpses of the red squirrels that live in the woods surrounding La Petite Maison. They are quite wary of people, but we do get some visiting the garden, especially in the snowy weather.

This little squirrel has been cut from silver sheet, and his body has been given a matte brushed finish. His tail has been textured, so that it looks good and bushy. The surface has been given a coat of soft sheen jewellery wax, to preserve the finish.

He is ‘holding’ an acorn, made from a vintage green glass bead sitting in a tiny silver cup. On the reverse is a silver brooch back with a revolver safety catch (not handmade), so it will stay securely in place when being worn.

The squirrel is approx 3cm (1.1 inches) by 2cm (0.7 inches), so small and neat for a brooch. It would look great on the lapel of a dark jacket or coat.