Long before I was making keys I was picking up found treasures. Treasures would come in the form of a sparkly rock, a smooth stick, a rusty washer, or a fancy piece of jewelry. I’ve used some of my more special finds to mark the significant numbers in this next set of keys.

The years 1990 - 1995 hold precious milestones in my life: marriage in 1991, the birth of my first child in 1993, and the birth of my second child in 1995.

Key 1990 is made from an old lighting fixture that arrived in our house in 1994, some clip-on earring backs, rhinestone jewelry, and some beads.

Key 1991 is centred around an old hinge pin. I love the rusty patina and the solid shape of this pin. The rhinestone crusted chain ends in the small heart charm on the edge of this key. I don’t know what the blue foil on the other side of this key was originally a part of - it is holding together two pieces of glass and the foil is very reflective of light - I’m pretty sure I found this (and the chain) long before I was making keys. I also placed two crystal hearts on this key (one blue and one pink). The top of the key has a rusted washerish piece from the road that my husband found for me.

Key 1992 is made from an old frame that held a farmyard welcome sign, a shamrock pin, a chain, beads, and pieces of jewelry. I particularly love that many of the bits added to this key look they were part of the original sign frame.

Key 1993 is made with a recently gifted pendant, two chains, numbered screen pins, and a fancy pin that I found on the sidewalk in Regina in the early 2000’s. I’ve always found that pin to be somewhat regal and unique; I have kept it aside for many years waiting until I had a significant enough project to include it in.

Key 1994 is made with a heart pendent, a handmade nail, a chain, earrings, and jewelry bits.

Key 1995 is made mostly with gifts from the street: a bolt, a ball bearing something, a rhinestone bracelet, and a mini harmonica. I also added some screen pin numbers and the remains of a clip-on earring.