Our columnist, stone carver and sculptor Zoë Wilson talks about her new collaboration – from concept to completion.
I recently embarked on a fascinating collaboration with a perfume brand to launch four new fragrances in their creative range. Discussions began in early summer 2023, and by June 2024, we had successfully introduced four captivating scents to the market; Sculptura, Dominus, Aequale and Enigma.
My primary role in this collaboration was to design and create unique caps for the bottles. I developed four distinctive geometric patterns that functioned cohesively as a group while standing out individually.
My task was to carve the original pieces, after which moulds were made, and Jesmonite casts were produced for the final caps. These fragrances transcend traditional gender categories, falling instead into a creative spectrum. I was thrilled to participate in the selection of the actual fragrances, gaining in-sights into the complex combinations of scents and their varying appeal across different nationalities and audiences.
Once the fragrances were selected, it became evident that geometric patterns would beau-tifully complement the range. These patterns are universally appealing, irrespective of gen-der or age, and culturally versatile. Each cap design was inspired by elements I learned about the scents, making the project a true fusion of aroma and form.
Jesmonite proved to be an excellent substitute for stone.
The casting process presented additional considerations. The carvings needed to be straightforward to remove from the moulds without trapping bubbles or creating fragile ar-eas prone to breaking. Having previously collaborated with Emma from Greenacres Studios Ltd, I knew discussing the designs with her would streamline the process.
I shared my initial ideas with Emma, and we evaluated the feasibility of various designs con-cerning the moulding and casting processes. Four designs emerged as front runners, meet-ing the project’s criteria, and I finalised the drawings accordingly.
With my passion for British stone, I chose Welsh Slate, Portland Limestone, Heather Slate, and Scottish Red Sandstone to provide four distinct colours and patterns. I sent samples of each stone to Greenacre Studios for Pantone colour matching. Once the colours were agreed upon, they were used for both the Jesmonite and bottle colours to ensure a perfect match.
While planning, I considered carving larger versions of the caps for 3D scanning and print-ing to scale but ultimately decided to carve them at the actual size. This approach ensured the chisel marks and proportions were authentic and appealing.
One challenge of carving life-size caps was the difficulty of detailing small stones like Corshill Sandstone. The nature of the larger particles in sandstone and a slightly crumblier texture, than for example limestone or slate, mean that very fine detail is impossible to ac-complish. Sandstone lends itself far better to bolder or larger designs. Thus, I opted to carve all four designs in Welsh Slate, a material I knew could achieve the level of detail required. After completing the carvings, the designs were cast in the chosen colours matched to the original stone samples.
The first hurdle was creating perfect stone cubes. Anyone familiar with cutting slate knows the challenge of achieving clean cuts without excessive surface chipping. Holding the small objects securely while cutting them with an angle grinder, and maintaining accuracy was far from easy! After several attempts, I developed a clamping system and produced eight cu-bes, including spares.
The colour samples.
Carving the edges of slate posed another challenge. Unlike previous projects where I only carved the stone’s face, these caps required carving multiple faces, necessitating working across the slate’s layers. This was tricky as the stone often broke unpredictably. However, careful, slow carving resulted in precise, finished designs.
I was really happy with the outcome of the four designs, it’s always a very satisfying moment to see your ideas coming to fruition. However, I did find it a little tricky to imagine what they were going to look like in the different colours chosen for the different stones. I boxed them up carefully and shipped them off to Shropshire for the next part of the process. Collaborating with Greenacres Studio was pivotal in transforming the stone carvings into functional bottle caps. The expertise of Emma and her team ensured that the moulds cap-tured every detail of my carvings. The transition from stone to Jesmonite required careful consideration of material properties to preserve the integrity of the designs.
The choice of Jesmonite was particularly important. Its versatility and durability made it an excellent substitute for stone, ensuring that the caps were not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical for everyday use. The colour matching process further ensured that the final product remained true to the original stone samples, maintaining the visual appeal and coherence of the designs.
One of the finished products – Enigma.
This project has been a rewarding journey, blending traditional stone carving with modern design and manufacturing techniques. It has reinforced the importance of collaboration in creative endeavours. Working with experts in different fields, from perfumery to mould making, has broadened my perspective and enriched my practice.
The final caps, now sitting proudly on top of the fragrance bottles, are a testament to the successful fusion of scent and stone. They embody the meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design that went into their creation. The positive feedback from clients and colleagues has been immensely gratifying, affirming the value of this unique collaboration.
As I look forward to future projects, I carry with me the lessons learned and the inspiration gained from this experience. Working with Memoize has not only expanded my artistic horizons but also deepened my appreciation for the endless possibilities within the realm of stone carving.
Memoize are offering a 20% discount for Stone Specialist magazine readers. The perfumes (and samples) can all be bought on their website Memoize Perfume and the code ZOE20 can be used at checkout to get your discount.