Space Trash

Me:  What are these?

Stone Man:  Meteorites

Me:  As in.. Meteors? (smirk)

Stone Man:  Yes (serious face)

Me:  (bright eyed) You mean.. these are from space?!

Slightly amused now, Stone Man explains:

There was a meteor that landed in Africa.  It's a different combination of nickel and iron, not found naturally on earth.  Yes, it's from space.

Instantly my mind starts imagining 2 guys racing to the meteor with a chainsaw trying to claim meteor real estate (think Far and Away, but without the Irish accents).  Regardless of how it got from space to Africa to New York, it was a gift from space and we need to make jewelry out of it!

Photographed by Chris Doss

I am going to do a series of one of a kind space trash necklaces because space can't be duplicated!  To keep updated on new pieces as I make them, and other photos of this necklace, go to my Facebook Fanpage.

No Swimming!

Growing up, I loved swimming.  I was the fastest doggy paddler in the neighborhood.  No joke!  Then I started taking lessons at the YMCA and not even the neighbor's son, who was twice my size, could catch me.  I look back now and think about how I COULD have been an Olympian (ignore the fact that I'm 5'3", rounded - minor details).  I don't remember why or when, but I remember my parents saying I couldn't take any more lessons and I wasn't allowed to join a swim team, even though my best friend was on one, and I was WAY faster than her!  I didn't see a point in swimming in circles with no goal, so I drowned (pun intended) my sorrows in otter pops and my new Nintendo.

This small memory and feeling of disappointment inspired me to make a piece about adulthood.  Our coming of age.  Saturn returns.  To let go of what we know and embrace our freedom to be ourselves.

I bought this beautiful agate stone - the shape and colors reminds me of our pool.  I then started carving away at the carving wax to create the pendant.

After I finished the pendant, I carved the cage to go around it. 

Back of the pendant.

After all of the waxes were cast into metal, I cleaned them up, soldered on the findings (hinges, fastener, the hand made bayonet pin system) set the agate and diamonds and vuala!  Over 70 hours later, my No Swimming! pendant/brooch is finished - Check it out! .  Now I need a drink!