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A few months ago I saw the film Bright Star, based on the last three years in the life of the poet John Keats. The film was directed by Jane Campion, who is my favourite film director (I especially love An Angel at my Table and The Piano) and the whole film is lush and poetic, with beautiful cinematography. I didn't feel a deep connection to the main characters in the film (unlike in the Piano or An Angel) but I did enjoy the whole look and feel of the film very much. 

One favourite scene is this one, in which Fanny Brawne and her little sister lie in a room filled with butterflies. And another scene I liked was one in which she wore a brass key on a black ribbon around her neck and transferred it to Keats' neck when he entered the room. 

I found a small collection of antiqued brass and silver keys recently online, and made a set of 'bright star necklaces' for my stall coming up this weekend. They're very simple, just a solid little key threaded onto hand-plaited, antique perle cotton and tied in a bow at the neck.

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28 responses to “bright star”

  1. Diana Avatar

    I felt the same. I loved the look of the movie and the intensity of it, but it was just too sad for me to love it. I liked the dinner table scene, where the only thing to do at night is to entertain each other by candle and fire light. I loved The Piano, especially how greasy everyone was. I remember hearing the actors weren’t allowed to bathe. I recently saw Lost in Austen, which I loved. The whole modern girl/time travel thing sounds too cheesy, but somehow they pull it off.

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  2. tinyhappy Avatar

    hi diana, your comment made me laugh… yes, they really were all so greasy in the piano!

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  3. Holly C. Avatar

    Sweet necklaces:)

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  4. k Avatar

    these are wonderful. i’ve recently been craving a simple old key as a necklace, but then found out the antique store that i remember having a drawer full of old keys has closed. might have to do some perusing…

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  5. Jessica - Domestic PDX Avatar

    I really liked this post and your collection of images. And I can’t believe I’ve never gotten around to seeing The Piano. It’s been on my list for years!

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  6. mims Avatar

    Oh I just adored all the clothes in Bright Star…especially her sweaters and scarves made by Sophie digard. This sweater was amazing
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/10284413@N08/4094090797/
    and those butterflies…..no one can duplicate nature

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  7. lotus Avatar
    lotus

    Oh I absolutely agree with you. Especially Fanny’s character I thought would be more charming? I loved the scene in the field as well with the beautiful lighting.

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  8. Rattling On Avatar

    Love the necklaces. I used to collect keys as a child. They must be around somewhere…must look in the dumping ground (workroom) and see if I can find them.

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  9. Emma Avatar

    Oh dear. All the money I make on my stall is probably going to be funneled straight to your stall next door.

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  10. GRACIA AND LOUISE Avatar

    Reading and seeing this makes me long to see that film again. I loved it both the first and second time around.
    Beautiful and romantic necklaces…

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  11. Ingela Avatar
    Ingela

    Beautiful…so wonderful romantic….
    I haven´t seen the film…but I will now.
    Love “The Piano”….

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  12. nath Avatar

    i saw it last week, and thought it was visually stunning, i thought it a little slow in places, but Jane Campion has such a way of seeing. i like her world. i found a little key a while back and have been wearing it round my neck on an old chain, but i like the idea of using thread.

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  13. Simply h Avatar

    Oh I haven’t seen Bright Star but must as I too loved The Piano (don’t get me started on the amazing music!) and I remember being wowed as a teenager by An Angel at My Table – fantastic. I love your key necklace, beautiful and a bit mysterious too!

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  14. wabi sabi Avatar

    hi melissa
    bridget here, hellO
    i so enjoyed bright star, very beautiful to watch, it was so sad though, i cried & cried. what a thoughtful idea for your necklaces, you must be excited about this weekend. looking forward to your update…

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  15. povertyjane Avatar

    Ive had a vintage key necklace I have worn for over a year now. I wanted to do this for my shop too, but never had any time.

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  16. Frances Avatar

    Hullo Melissa, I have just found your lovely blog. Those keys are so pretty and I just love your smock dress. There are so many layering options with it, and then in summer, well what a perfect beach dress too. Your bags are a hit with me, I badly need to make more bags for my wool too.

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  17. Nicole Avatar

    🙂
    Last year in NYC I bought a lovely old vintage key that I wear around my neck in a very similar fashion. Sometimes I combine with my lovely tiny happy locket…
    I adore Jane Campion, esp. Angel at my Table, The Piano, Bright Star of course. I also deeply love her version of Portrait of a Lady. It’s the best thing Nicole Kidman ever did.

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  18. Christina G Avatar
    Christina G

    Such a beautiful film – so gorgeous to look at and yet so sad – I cried buckets! I’m hoping to get to the Dowse this weekend Melissa so might come and say hello 🙂

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  19. Jacilyn Avatar

    I agree, Bright Star was probably the most gorgeous movie I have even seen. The story didn’t draw me in though. I haven’t seen An Angel at my Table yet. I’m going to find it right now and watch it.
    Your posts always have that feel to me though, like a Jane Campion movie or a Jane Austen novel. You have a way of capturing the quiet beauty in things and the things you make have an enduring timeless quality to them.

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  20. Margaret Oomen Avatar

    i adored that movie, probably my favorite of the past year but mostly for the poetry, costumes and constant scenes of the act of embroidering

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  21. J. Marie Avatar

    There are few things I love more than Keats or key necklaces…
    …or greasy people.

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  22. tinyhappy Avatar

    hi bridget, thank you and yes, i cried too- it was so sad.

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  23. tinyhappy Avatar

    thank you gracia and louise, you must love the film very much to be ready for a third time around… me too 🙂

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  24. tinyhappy Avatar

    i was thinking the same thing about yours, emma! 

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  25. perches Avatar

    Such a nice way to capture the movie & metaphor 🙂 I love old keys.
    I’ve passed along a blog award to you (you can see it in this post). No need to respond, I just want you to know that I really enjoy your blog 🙂

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  26. tinyhappy Avatar

    hi perches,
    thank you very much! and thank you for your kind award. 🙂

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  27. Apps 55753818692 100000885258877 96019cf8bcce536d33f58aff31366f94 Avatar

    I saw this post and thought Wow! I haven’t seen the film, but I do have a definite affinity for your key pendants. When I was a little kid I went with my Dad to chop up a tree for firewood. While he chainsawed, I went and investigated a number of very very old cars that were almost rusted into oblivion. One of them still had the key in the ignition, and because I like relics and small worthless things that are nevertheless beautiful, I worked on it until I got it out, and then I wore it on a string around my neck. Only – a short time later I lost it, and was so disappointed when I couldn’t find it. In the busy busy-ness of yesterday I didn’t see the keys on your table, but I would love one of your pendants if you have any left… (I especially like the one on the left in your picture).

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  28. tinyhappy Avatar

    hi! thanks for your sweet comment and that story about the rusty car key you found as a child. theres something quite magical about old keys, isnt there?
    it was great to meet you on the weekend.

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