The Rattlesnake Pin
This is a pin made of fine silver, of an individually hand cast rattle snake rattle, that a friend graciously loaned me for these works, from her personal collection, that she collected naturally in California. The back post comes with a pull tab locking pin back to keep your heirloom pin secure. It measures 1" long and 3/8" at its widest. It weighs .21 oz (6g) in fine silver.
>>> Rattlesnakes are a powerful totem. Believed in the Southwest to be the bringers of death, their rattles carried as amulets of protection from danger. They are also greatly respected as creatures of great control, and keen perception. Not wasting energy, poising themselves to attack their goals with diligence, and great self awareness. I feel like channeling this energy is incredibly potent at this time when we are all feeling a bit collectively out of control. Wearing this rattlesnake talisman should help you be mindful of your environment, and hone your control and direction moving forward. <<<
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.