Jewellery Making, Boundary Objects and Creativity in Social Work

Written By Dundee Community Craft CIC

This research explores the innovative role of jewellery making as a therapeutic tool for helping women recover from trauma and rebuild their sense of identity. By engaging in the creative process, participants transform their internal struggles into tangible boundary objects, which act as physical vessels that safely contain memories and allow for a healthier externalization of the self. It emphasizes that these handcrafted pieces facilitate meaningful communication and relationship building between social workers and service users, offering a sensory-rich alternative to traditional talk therapy. Ultimately, this piece of work advocates for the integration of arts-based methods into social work to empower marginalized individuals, helping them shift their personal narratives from a state of victimhood to one of agency and survival.

Citation (APA 7th Edition):

Graham, S., Levy, S., & Lim, C. (2025). Jewellery Making, Boundary Objects and Creativity in Social Work. Practice, 37(2), 163–172. https://doi.org/10.1080/09503153.2024.2409172

Dundee Community Craft CIC