Key rings, statuettes and postcards of sites such as the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben and Sydney Harbour Bridge provided me with inspiration for works such as the Mt Fuji series. I wanted my own Mt Fuji statuettes to bring to mind those mass-produced souvenirs available for purchase at major tourist destinations; however I also wanted to convey a sense of preciousness through the use of silver and enamel. Although a miniature plastic representation of, for example, the Eiffel Tower inside a snow-dome may seem very far from precious, it may become a receptacle for the personal memories of the individual who bought it while visiting Paris on a round-the-world trip. In such situations, the item becomes precious.