April 2026 Preview - "In the Woods"
Coming on Sunday, April 12 at 4 pm eastern US time.
This collection is based on my walks through the woods of West Michigan! Every piece here (besides the squirrel seal) was made using real pieces of plants that live around my home.
As always, everything here is made of solid sterling silver.
Here is everything coming on April 12th:
"I crack nuts deep" medieval seal necklace - $118
This pendant was made with a real antique seal from the 14th century. It features a carving of a squirrel with the words "I CRAC NOTES DEP," meaning "I crack nuts deep"
This was a popular wax seal design in late medieval England! Normally a seal had a person's name or occupation carved around the edges, as a form of identification. But in the late 1300s, anonymous seals became widely used too, usually bearing some witty or sentimental saying instead of a name.
Although we have many examples of wax seals saying "I crack nuts," its exact meaning is up for debate. Some think it referred to making business deals, or cracking open a seal to read a letter. The most widely held interpretation is that it was a sexual innuendo.
Each necklace is made individually by stamping the seal into wax and then casting the wax in sterling silver. So every one is a little different and has its own organic shape. There is a patina on the face of the seal to bring out the details, but it comes on a brightly polished chain.
Chain length: 18 inches
Pendant size: appx 18mm across
Alder cone necklace - $130
In Germany, alder trees were once said to weep tears of blood if you cut them (or even talk about cutting them!)
Alder bark is silvery grey, but the wood does turn bright rusty orange when you cut it due to the tannins.
These necklaces are made from real alder cones cast in silver, paired with a tiny drop of blood-red garnet. Each alder cone is unique! So please note the size variation.
Both the chain and the alder cone have a patina, with polished highlights.
Chain length: 18 inches
Pendant size: 16-20mm tall, 10mm wide
Willow twig ring - $65
This dainty ring is made from a real willow twig cast in silver. The twig has tiny buds on either side, carefully molded just before the buds sprouted.
Band thickness: appx. 2.5mm
Sizes available: every half size (US sizing) between 4.5 and 10
Ivy quartz necklace - $145
Ivy is a historical symbol of fidelity and attachment, due to its clinging vines and evergreen nature.
This pendant features a real tiny ivy leaf that has been cast in silver. The leaf sits behind a dome of quartz that magnifies every detail.
The pendant hangs on a chain with elongated links. Both the pendant and the chain have a patina to bring out the details.
Chain length: 18 inches
Pendant size: 15mm
Twig hoops- $90
These hoop earrings were made from a real twig cast in silver. A patina brings out every little detail of the texture.
Hoop size: 20mm
Twig thickness: appx. 3mm
Juniper necklace- $148
Juniper is an old symbol of protection. This likely comes from a Bible story in which the prophet Elijah sleeps under a juniper shrub, hidden from his enemies. The symbolism shows up again and again throughout history, especially in folklore: hanging juniper outside your door was said to deter witches, as well as halt vampires when they were forced to stop and count every single needle. When the Black Death swept through Europe, people burned juniper in their homes hoping the fumes would guard against the mysterious threat of disease.
Each of these pendants is made with a real sprig of juniper, cast in silver and set onto a glittery textured teardrop. It comes on a brightly polished chain.
There is some variation in pendant size, since each cutting of juniper is different.
Chain length: 20 inches
Pendant size: 31-36mm tall, 18-20mm wide
Ivy earrings - $136
Ivy is a historical symbol of fidelity and attachment, due to its clinging vines and evergreen nature.
These earrings were made from real ivy leaves cast in silver, with a drop of feathery green seraphinite hanging beneath.
Each one of these stones has a unique color pattern.
Size: 14mm wide, 34mm from top of leaf to bottom of stone.
Blackberry leaf saddle ring - $150
This statement ring features a blackberry leaf cast in silver, with every bit of the texture preserved. There is a slight patina around the leaf to bring out the details.
Band width: 8mm in the back, 30mm in the front
Sizes available: 6, 6.5, 8, 8.5, 10