Sometimes the smallest gestures hold the greatest meaning.
I recently came across the story of a simple gift John Lennon once gave to Polly Devlin. It was not jewellery or riches, but a wooden box with a mirror inside. He called it a box of smile. When she lifted the lid, her own reflection smiled back at her. Such a simple idea, yet one that carries the profound reminder that joy is often found within ourselves.
This story planted a seed in my imagination, which soon began to weave itself into my work with nettle. I asked myself: what if I could create my own vessel of smile, infused with the healing, grounding energy of nettle yarn?
The Making of the Smile Vessel
My Smile Vessel is woven from nettle and deadstock linen 13/2 lea yarn, anchored in the strength of nature itself. At its base lies a mirror, waiting to reflect not only light but also the beauty within whoever peers inside.
From this base rises a woven wall of double cloth. In my first vessel, I wove in bay leaves, protective and green, carrying a hint of fragrance that echoes the duality of life. As they dried, they slowly contorted, shaping the weave with their transformation. In the following weaves, I upcycled old book pages, embedding my own carefully chosen and hidden words between the layers. These words carry significance and gentle meaning, and with them I have also woven in a touch of magic, a quiet force of energy that nourishes the heart and helps every smile shine a little brighter.
The cloth continues upward and folds over the top, forming a lid that encloses the vessel and shapes it into a soft container for treasures. With the lid closed, it becomes a kind of treasure chest. Open it, and what greets you is not emptiness but your own smile reflected back at you.
“This is not just a container for objects. It is a vessel of hope, a life gift of reflection and wellness.”
The Medicine of a Smile – Backed by Science
Scientists have uncovered a remarkable range of benefits linked to smiling, even forced smiling, supported by research:
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Feel-good chemicals and mood boost
Smiling triggers the release of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, natural “feel-good” neurotransmitters that uplift mood, ease pain, and reduce anxiety. -
Immune system support
Smiling lowers stress hormones like cortisol, allowing the immune system to strengthen. Studies show increases in antibodies and white blood cells. -
Stress, heart health, and longevity
Smiling and laughter slow heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and support cardiovascular health. Frequent smilers may even live longer. -
Emotional states and immunity
Positive emotions like smiling can enhance immune responses, while negative states may weaken them. -
The facial feedback loop
Even the act of smiling—genuine or not—sends signals to the brain that lift mood.
Taking the Sting Out
Nettle is often feared for its sting, yet within its fibres and leaves lie nourishment and strength. Through Nettle Revolution, my purpose has always been to take the sting out of nettles and reveal their true gifts.
In every Smile Vessel I create, sting is transformed into softness, pain into purpose, and hurt into strength. The nettle yarn, once a wild and stinging plant, becomes a loving, protective base for beauty and wellness. The mirror inside turns reflection into medicine.
Together, they embody the philosophy of Nettle Revolution: healing begins when we turn toward what once hurt us with care, transformation, and gentle intention.
The Infinite Purpose
The Smile Vessel is both art and medicine. Each one I make is unique, formed with care and intention.
They will be available through Nettle Revolution, not simply as vessels, but as companions for life, vessels to cradle your treasures, to hold your hopes, and to remind you of the healing power of your own smile.
Exhibited in many shapes and forms, each vessel will carry the message:
Your smile is worth...?
The answer, of course, is yours to discover when you lift the lid.
Call to Action:
Would you like to own a Smile Vessel or commission one, to bring a little more reflection and joy into your life?