Necklaces

Majestic

A friend sent me a link to an amazing documentary: A Murder of Crows (as in a group of them, not a killing), which opened my eyes to one of the planet’s most intelligent creatures. In it, researchers follow a group of crows throughout their lives to discover that they are wiser than we knew.

Among other traits, crows can recognize faces and warn each other of predators; they gather around their dead, possibly for mourning, but also to observe (and share) the cause of death and so avoid it in the future. They use tools to get food from hard to reach places, and sometimes even use tools to reach other tools which will access food. In cities, they steal wire clothes hangers from peoples balconies and use them to build intricate nests in trees or on electric posts (sometimes derailing trains and causing neighborhood blackouts).

This pendant is my ode to the wisdom and awesomeness of these magnificent birds.

Majestic Pendant.
Handmade with amethyst and recycled sterling silver.


Soar

Angela asked me to make her a pendant that depicted birds that particularly spoke to her (but not in a creepy dark way): ravens, crows and turkey vultures. Since she is an artist and a poet, she wrote: turkey vultures are actually the most magnificent birds to see flying high in the sky. They personify joy. They are not anything to write home about and they are not God’s gift to beauty, but their gift is a wide wing span and beautiful flight. And I suppose in our own way that is true for all of us.

She chose a golden green labradorite, which reminds me of the Kansas landscape where she lives, and I chose the stars, to connect her bird to the sky. We both agreed that her talisman resulted in a powerful symbol of flight, womanhood, and mysticism; all perfect for these times.

Angela’s Soaring Pendant.
Handmade with labradorite and recycled sterling silver.


Tiny

I was commissioned to make a tiny pendant with a blue gemstone.

Scarab Necklace.
Handmade with kyanite and recycled sterling silver.


Gift

It has taken me decades to appreciate myself and my gifts. I tried to be like others, to find my worth in their eyes, to be seen. Now I take the time to encourage myself in challenging situations, to celebrate my achievements, to rest when I am tired, and be gentle when I am afraid.

I’ve also tried to change careers every year, feeling that art was selfish and not helpful enough in this changing world. Now I see that making art has given me purpose, direction and immense joy. It is the place where my love for life finds expression.

Gift Necklace.
Handmade with green agate and recycled sterling silver.


Imagination

Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.
— Carl Sagan

Imagination Necklace.
Handmade with chrysoprase and recycled sterling silver.


Companion

It comforts me to know that no matter what happens in my life: changes, cycles, lessons, gifts; I will be with me. I am my ally, my friend, my gentle companion.

Companion Necklace.
Handmade with lemon quartz and recycled sterling silver.


Origin

Endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved.
— Charles Darwin

Origin Necklace.
Handmade with silver obsidian and recycled sterling silver.


Rising Sun

In every person there is a sun. Just let them shine.
— Socrates

Rising Sun Necklace.
Handmade with amber and recycled sterling silver.


Maria's Butterfly

A Butterfly for Maria.


Stillness

Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty if only we have the eyes to see them.
— John Ruskin

Stillness Pendant.
Handmade with labradorite and recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.


Embrace

Maria’s commissioned silver and brass Embrace Necklace.


Moonlit Peacock

For every poet it is always morning in the world; history a forgotten, insomniac night. The fate of poetry is to fall in love with the world in spite of history.
— Derek Walcott

Moonlit Peacock.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver and labradorite.
Tomorrow at 1 pm CT in my online shop.


Nine Suns

Instead of feelin’ bad, be glad you’ve got somewhere to go
Instead of feelin’ sad, be happy you’re not all alone
Instead of feelin’ low, get high on everything that you love
Instead of wastin’ time, feel good ‘bout what you’re dreamin’ of.
— Madeleine Peyroux

Nine Suns Pendant.
Recycled sterling silver, brass and crysocolla.
Tomorrow at 1 pm CT in my online shop.


Many Eyes

The many eyes of a peacock.


Peacock Pendant II

Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless; peacocks and lilies for instance.
— John Ruskin

Peacock Pendant II.
Handmade with brass and recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.


Peacock

It dances today, my heart,
like a peacock it dances,
it dances.
It sports a mosaic of passions like a peacock’s tail,
It soars to the sky with delight, it quests,
Oh wildly, it dances today, my heart,
like a peacock it dances.
— Rabindranath Tagore

Peacock Pendant.
Handmade with brass and recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.


Celestial Necklace

I bought this rough celestite from a traveling musician years ago. He told me it enhanced meditation, intuition, and calmness. It also promotes creativity, self-expression, and positive communication. With this in mind, I designed a pendant that rests at the base of the throat, for best results.

Celestial Necklace.
Handmade with celestine and recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.


Prayer Flag

I made my version of a Tibetan prayer flag. Traditionally, they hang on poles along mountain ridges, or above monasteries, temples, and private homes. They spread goodwill and compassion for all beings.

Prayer Flag Necklace.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.


Ilumination

What is the meaning of life? That was all- a simple question; one that tended to close in on one with years, the great revelation had never come. The great revelation perhaps never did come. Instead, there were little daily miracles, illuminations, matches struck unexpectedly in the dark; here was one.
— Virginia Woolf

Ilumination Pendant.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.


Vessel

The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions.
— Thich Nhat Hanh

Vessel Pendant.
Handmade with recycled sterling silver.
Soon in my online shop.