DIFFICULT WOMAN – collaboration with Helen Lewis
'The difficult woman is not rude, petty or mean. she is simply willing to be awkward, if the situation demands it; demanding, if the occasion requires it; and obstinate, if someone tries to fob her off.' Helen Lewis
Helen writes:
'In early 2018, it was already apparent that the referendum on Ireland's abortion laws would be an era-defining battle. It followed two years where progressive politics seemed to be in retreat in Britain and the US, with the vote for Brexit and the election of Donald Trump. Would Ireland buck the trend by repealing the eighth amendment to the Irish constitution - which gave equal weight to the life of a woman and her foetus - and liberalising its laws? When I appeared on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme, I decided to wear a REPEAL necklace - reasoning that if branded jewellery was good enough for the Suffragettes and Suffragists, it was good enough for me. Mine came from Wear And Resist, and for days afterwards, people asked me about it. So when I finished Difficult Women, I wondered if there was a way to collaborate with Sarah again. She said yes, as did our charity partner Women for Refugee Women, and the result is stunning. Many female refugees are escaping from sexual and physical violence, and Britain should not retraumatise them as it processes their applications. Women For Refugee Women gives them a voice - through English and drama lessons - and campaigns for a fairer asylum system.'
I was absolutely delighted to be asked to make a necklace to celebrate the publication of Helen Lewis's Difficult Women: A History of Feminism in 11 Fights. This is a manifesto for the Difficult Woman and this necklace is the perfect accessory. A must-read for 2020 and a voice of the Persisterhood.
'Above all she knows that no woman can fight all the battles alone, no matter how difficult she is. Sometimes, she feels tired, and worn out. But one thing saves her, because a difficult woman should always find herself some other difficult women.'
£2 from the sale of every necklace will go to Women for Refugee Women – a UK-based charity that supports women who are seeking asylum and challenges the injustices they experience. They run a range of activities for refugee women, including English classes, drama and writing workshops, with the aim of empowering them to tell their own stories. Women for Refugee Women also advocates for a fair asylum process and works towards a world in which all women who cross borders have the right to safety, liberty and dignity.
Love this shop! So happy with my purchase! Love these products, as gifts and for myself :-) Fab designs, speedy delivery, great customer service and all while supporting some excellent causes. Will definitely be back for more.
Little clouds of joy. Possibly my favourite piece of jewellery. I’ve had my eye on it for a long time but in times of needing a boost we all should have a good impulse purchase. And I’m so glad I bought this bracelet. I wear it all the time. And for me it’s so lovely waking up in the night when my brain is being over active and seeing the words “this too shall pass” glowing away at me through the dark.
Shame must change sides. Truly beautiful and powerful statement and necklace. And amazing service thanks so much.
About Sarah Day
Wear and Resist was born in early 2017 out of an urge to channel my frustration and growing rage at the political climate into a creative pursuit that would raise money for women's charities. As a writer with an art degree who has always loved jewellery, I feel like I've landed exactly where I was supposed to be.
Solar powered! 🌞
Wear and Resist is running on solar power as we are in the process of making our home and workshop self-sustaining.
Let customers speak for us
I've been admiring this for a while. So a cheeky discount offer meant a yes from me. Decided to get a persist charm too. Really happy. Great service, lovely products from fab people. X
I bought and gave away a couple of these last year, but with the increased appropriation of Christian symbols by the nationalist right, this is the perfect way to let people know that’s not the Jesus this vicar believes in! So thank you x
It doesn't feel like much is splendid in the world at the moment. But you are. You are splendid. So am I.
I do a lot of my work online, and most of my colleagues and clients now keep an eye out for which if Sarah's necklaces I'm going to be wearing. Hope? Persist? Enough? Courage? (I've worn Courage an awful lot of late) Power? Woman of a Certain Age? Well, next time I am doing a session on menopause I'll be wearing Splendid.
We bought this as a gift for a friend , to remind her we love her and she can do this, she ‘bloody loves it’ and wears it every day. perfect x
Love my necklace and trying to choose another from the fantastic array!
Wear and Resist, you are a beacon of hope 🥰
Absolutely love my latest edition, this necklace brings me such it to wear.
Highly recommend!
Arrived beautifully packaged, with a personal note. Necklace is excellent quality - substantial hardware. Great designs, hard to choose which one I wanted. Highly recommended for gifts for self or others!
The necklace is good quality and colours are just as described. Will buy more!
If you want a really beautifully crafted piece of jewellery that shows how you feel, look no further! Love my Woman of a Certain Rage brooch and my Raging Necklace! They always get commented on 🤩
Love this necklace so much. Not Having it is my go to phrase at work so now I can just point to my shiny new necklace to let people know my displeasure. Fantastic quality and I'm always getting asked where I got it from.
Gorgeous lightning bolt earrings delivered so quickly to replace the ones I lost. Lovely little touch too with the handwritten note on the card. At times like this, we have never needed Wear and Resist range more!
Love these charms - I now have 5. Fantastic if, like me, you like to change it up as they can be added to necklaces, earrings, whatever.
Soooo pleased with this necklace - especially as Sarah kindly put it on a silver chain for me. Delivered quickly too. Love it!
Purchased several necklaces from Wear and Resist and enough necklace is a perfect addition. Goes with everything and makes me feel enough.
Love it. Great addition to my Resist collection. As always brilliant customer service from Sarah x
