The Butterfly Pin

With the launch of 'Believing in Butterfly', I contacted 'Women in the Arts' in Scotland' searching for someone who could design a small butterfly brooch, similar to that mentioned in the novel. I was directed to a young jeweller in Glasgow, Ailsa Ritchie, who is skilled in enamelling. Imagine my surprise when I discovered she particularly liked to create pieces using insect shapes! Above is the result of our collaboration.

With the hundred year anniversary of the Suffragette movement being high-lighted at the end of the book, we felt that using the movement's colours would be a good idea. Ailsa has created purple and green enamelled butterflies from the colours of the Suffragette flag and a shiny brass version to cover the cream shade. they also used.

Ailsa wanted to give a donation to a charity with each pin sold and it was decided, due to the subject matter covered by the book, Women's Aid, Scotland would be appropriate. The pins can be purchased from Ailsa's Etsy page.

We don't know if it will catch on but I really feel this tiny symbol of both recovery and triumph over a period of abuse and trauma would be rather wonderful.