This collection is representative of pendants that I have made over the last several years. I love the effect of combining different materials into one object, wood, ivory, tortoiseshell, with each other and/or silver or gold. The play of color and substance is interesting and dynamic for me. I like to use gemstones for accent.
Please note that I neither buy nor sell ivory or tortoiseshell. I have been given old pieces of ivory scrimshaw, jewelry pieces, piano keys, etc by friends and others who know that I use such things in my work. Also, I spent some years living in Fiji where the Fijian men on the island gave me a few plates of tortoiseshell. On the island that I lived hunting of sea turtles was taboo. The turtles were protected. But occasionally a bit of shell washes up on the beach.
I can’t provide these materials, but if you have an old piece of scrimshaw or ivory jewelry that you would like fashioned into something new I am happy to consider the possibilities with you.