The Redwood New Growth Ring - 5 1/2
I initially made the New Growth Ring as a talisman for myself, to embody all of the metaphors and magic these collections possess and hold it close. But I feel so strongly abouty it while wearing it, that I decided to make two more to share with you. While all textured by the same branch of Redwood Tree fresh growth, each one is entirely hand made and will pick up slightly different details as well as be shaped slightly differently. The beauty of handmade. Everything unique and special to its owner. This ring is a size 5 1/2. They are thick bands of sterling silver with Redwood new growth sprigs (collected in Aptos, CA) on them, their buds alchemized in 24k. A reminder to the wearer that all new growth is gold. My makers insignia hand scribed inside the band, as well as a 24k seam to press against your finger, an ode to kintsugi, detailed in my "Damaged Goods Ethos", secret love notes to the wearer inside their nature talismans of growth, beauty and healed value.
>>> Redwood trees are one of the most resilient trees. I am enamored and inspired at their ability to put out and survive and thrive from catching on fire, watching charred trees come back brighter and new, I will do my best to honor their efforts. <<<
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. The first two to be released will be The Forest, and The Ocean, on October 23rd, when the Sun enters Scorpio (a time when we learn about the balance between light and shadow). 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.