The Golden Elk Bracelet
A fine silver diamond with a very eye catching section of elk skull, from a skull that I've found as roadkill in Northern New Mexico many years ago, a long time favorite in my collection I am so excited to be able to honor in metal/life, with a ribbon of 24k gold running on one side, the gold included to symbolize the beauty and strength in our imperfections, and ability to grow past our life’s obstacles, rests atop a thick 4g sterling silver bangle. Framing the diamond, some very simple stamping, just to move your eye in and not distract from the natural element. It measures 5” with a 1” gap. The diamond is 1 1/4" across and 3/4" tall.
>>> Elk. Elk are a symbol of strength and wisdom, community, and more than anything, of endurance. They carry with them the message that you are on the right path, and slow and steady wins the race. Carry these talismans of elk as reminders of your own strength, to trust in the process, and that you will get to where you want to be. <<<
Damaged Goods - A Collection Divided
I am beyond pleased to finally begin unveiling my new works, a full collection of one of a kinds, in four parts. Likened to, and symbolizing the four elements: earth, air, fire and water; there will be collection correlating to each: The Forest, The Swamp, The Desert, and The Ocean. Which brings me to the title of this release, “Damaged Goods”. I started attempting to learn a new skill set three summers ago, and drew up the base of this collection then, but when I returned home to New Orleans I found myself deep in the darkest chapter of my life. Lots of intense trauma, and just a need for survival overpowered any ability to creatively focus on new directions. I had spent a long while attempting to keep all of my plates spinning, but many dropped. I’ve spent the last year and half very seriously working to properly mend those broken plates, which I’ve related on more than one occasion to the Japanese pottery technique of Kintsugi, the art of repairing cracks and damage with gold - to add to its beauty, strength, and value. Which is something I genuinely believe in: when someone actively works at healing their wounds, their trauma becomes growth, understanding, and more value. I wanted to use returning to this collection as a form of healing, so I applied these metaphors and techniques into my original drawings, and I adore the shape its taken. They maintain the integrity of being a true talisman of nature, made directly from materials I’ve found myself, be it the textures I use in the metal pieces or in the stones and shells I set, but also, each piece will contain that metaphor of gold bonds woven throughout to bring the wearer’s life more strength, growth, and value. I hope you treasure wearing these pieces as much I have making them.