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N a u t i c a l   S i g n a l   F l a g   C o l l e c t i o n

As a sailor, the artist has had a long fascination with flag etiquette and the naval signal flag code and how it is used as an international language. 
Each flag's own meaning can be interpreted in a personal way, such as the:
  •  J-Flag - "I am carrying dangerous cargo...approach at your own risk" 
  • Z-Flag - "I require a tug" 
Check out our newest next collection of Flags , the Yacht Club Burgee's.  Contact us to find out how we can interpret your Yacht Club's Burgee into fine fashionable bling.
"What luck to have the Navy right outside my studio window, where each day new flags are hoisted to summon or send message to the sailors and ships. It is no surprise that my signal flag collection evolved out of these conversations made with this international language of flags." 
Pictureoriginal sketch by Suzy Weir

The history of Flag signalling dates back thousands of years, when it was primarily used in military situations. For example, the Roman navy used red flags or cloaks as signals between vessels. Early use of flag signalling was however primitive and inconsistent.
It was not until the early 18th century, that Navies began to standardize the messages. A number of signal codes were used.





Marryat's Code, published in 1817, was the first general system of signalling for use by merchant vessels and the most widely used system prior to 1857.

By the mid 19th century, in 1855, the first International Code of Signals, the Commercial Maritime Code, was drafted and then published in 1857, by the British Board of Trade in an effort to define a standard form of communication between vessels at sea and shore.

This original form of the code, still in use today, included 18 signal flags that could convey up to approximately 1,000 messages.

One of the most interesting aspects of the ICS is that all of the standardized messages are the same for nine languages including English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Spanish, Norwegian, Russian and Greek.

Here at 5th Nature, the signal flag series has gained popularity for cheeky messaging gems, as folks are rallying for custom flag combinations to create their own interpretations.  What's YOUR flag message going to say?S

Architectural Adornments Collection

 'Architectural Adornments' is a collection of rings inspired by notable architecture such as St Margaret's Chapel in Surry Hills, Australia.
by architect Ken Woolley.
The resultant rings are a fantastically interesting meeting of disciplines and extension of the 5th Nature industrial bling aesthetic.
"...since my first gig as exhibition designer at the Powerhouse Museum, I have had a super keen attraction to the chapel for St Margaret's Women's Hospital. Popping up intermittently throughout my own design odyssey, the chapel and it's narthex, now home to Object Gallery, has contained and exhibited 5th Nature's Architectural Adornments. "


Plus Sign Collection

The origins of the plus sign remain mysterious. It may be a cousin of the ampersand, evolving from a compressed form of the Latin word Et, or “and,” . And though ‘+’ has been used in programming it's meaning throughout history definitively connotes positive energy.

The plus sign does have a degree of internet credibility in its own right. A 2004 entry in the Urban Dictionary explains that replying to a forum post with a “+1” signifies agreement, lending weight to the original post without requiring any greater investment on the part of the respondent.

The "plus sign" collection is a series of joyfully tactile wearable art using selected minerals and gems that are imbued with positive energy.  Each piece is imbossed with the artist's fossilised maker's mark, +5º , ensuring its authenticity, as well as evidence of the artists own handprint. Made in the ancient lost wax casting method, each plus sign starts by hand modeling in home made clay and ends with hand rubbed silver for a one of a kind patina.

Botanic Collection

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2014
Suzy Weir and her micro brand "5th Nature" invited to participate in
The Royal Botanical Garden Sydney 
Annual Artisan Exhibition.     
New ideas are blossoming at Cultivator - new artists exhibition this year in October.
Opening night is  4 to 14 October in the Palm House.
We'd be delighted if you can join us for this event. RSVP Suzy
SHOP COLLECTIONS NOW
i n d u s t r i a l   b l i n g
Orwell Street Potts Point NSW Australia
every day 10am to 10pm
by chance or appointment
0422 866 979
During Pandemic restrictions we will receive visitors by appointment. Bring your mask and your enthusiasm.