Artist and fabricator specialising in cast glass, making art about folklore, fairytales and mythology. Casting your ideas into glass
I have been making glass keys for over 10 years. It all started with a conceptual work called The Forbidden Chamber (2013) which examines tales like those of Bluebeard and Fitcher's Bird where a terrible secret lies behind a forbidden door.
Now I make glass keys for pendant necklaces and ornaments, keys are highly symbolic and as the French philosopher Gaston Bachelard said "Who doesn't love both locks and keys?"
Over the years I have collected many cast iron keys that I use to make my silicon moulds from and look out for keys on my travels
Purchase glass keys pendants on my Etsy Store or see more images and read more about Blue Beard the Fairy Tale inspired by The Forbidden Chamber.
The Symbolism of Keys: Unlocking the Mystical and Magical
Keys have long held a place in human culture as symbols of power, mystery, and transformation. In the enchanting world of fairy tales, folklore, and mythology, keys often symbolise power, mystery, and transformation. These small but potent objects open not just physical doors but gateways to hidden knowledge, forbidden realms, and deep truths. Their presence in these stories reflects the eternal fascination with the boundary between the known and the unknown, the safe and the perilous.
In the world of magic, keys are often seen as talismans. They can represent freedom and the ability to transcend limitations. Think of fairy tales where a key unlocks a secret room, as in "Bluebeard" or "Beauty and the Beast," where keys become symbols of curiosity, danger, and sometimes betrayal. They offer the promise of discovery and the potential of peril for those unprepared to face what lies beyond.
In the tale of Bluebeard, the heroine is given the keys to every room in the house including a small golden key she is instructed never to use. Plagued with curiosity, unlocking the door leads her into a dark discovery, symbolizing how keys can also unveil uncomfortable truths. The key in this tale becomes a metaphor for crossing thresholds—both literal and moral—where the consequences of uncovering secrets often bring danger. It was tales like Bluebeard and Fitcher's Bird that inspired my artwork called "The Forbidden Chamber".
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In Beauty and the Beast, the key that opens the Beast's castle symbolizes access to an otherworldly space where transformation is possible. It’s a realm where appearances deceive, and only through unlocking deeper truths can redemption and love be found. Similarly, in The Twelve Dancing Princesses, the magical key grants access to the underground kingdom where the princesses sneak away at night, revealing hidden layers of their world and, metaphorically, their desires.
At their core, keys in these stories serve as powerful metaphors for the moments when characters are forced to confront the unknown, make choices that carry risk, and face the consequences of their actions. Whether they are unlocking treasure, secret rooms, or forbidden realms, keys in folklore and fairy tales are reminders of the delicate balance between curiosity and caution, revelation and danger.
In alchemy, the key is symbolic of spiritual insight and transformation. It represents the opening of the mind to higher truths, making it a potent emblem for personal growth. Carrying a key, or giving one as a gift, can be a gesture of trust, inviting the receiver into a sacred or intimate space.
Even in the material world, keys are linked to authority and control—once used to secure treasure chests, libraries, or even cities. They can mark rites of passage, as seen in the tradition of gifting a key to symbolize maturity and responsibility, often associated with turning 21 in Western cultures.
Yet, keys also hold a darker side. They can be instruments of confinement, locking doors as well as unlocking them. This duality makes the key a powerful symbol in both light and shadow, embodying the eternal tension between freedom and restriction, revelation and secrecy.
In your own journey, think of the keys you hold—both literal and figurative—and what doors they might open. What knowledge might be revealed, and what transformations await behind those locked doors? In the enchanted worlds of fairy tales and mythology, keys are not just objects; they are invitations to step beyond the familiar, into realms of wonder and wisdom.
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