The stones came first, as they often do. I have had the Rare Plasma Agate (top stone on the necklace) for over 10 years--I always knew I wanted to do something special with it, but I didn't know what that looked like. It has so many layers and intricate patterns in it, that I didn't want to hide them behind a bezel. This past year, the Leland Blue stones came into my collection, and one day I realized they matched some of the blues in the first stone. An idea started warbling around in my gut...I could see them together, but they would need one more stone.
I have been inspired by the ocean--its animals and habitats--since I was very young. This is how inspiration comes together--like little strands slowly finding each other and weaving together. The stones of the necklace felt like ocean waters to me, so it only seemed appropriate to incorporate a Humpback whale into the necklace behind the largest stone. When I went searching for the third stone, the Pyritized Ammonite popped up. I know a sign from the universe when I see it! Thus, the Rising From The Sea necklace was born.
Along the path of its making, I wanted to use the two other Leland Blue stones I had for a pair of earrings to match, but what would go with them? I knew that in my collection somewhere there was a pair of Keshi pearls that had been purchased long ago...it was just a matter of finding them. I cleaned the studio top to bottom. I reorganized my stones. I looked through drawers upon drawers, and still no pearls. Finally, I relented and decided that they would come forth from wherever they were hiding and when they did, I would pop them in a labeled box. They finally came out from hiding and now, I have a gorgeous pair of earrings to go with this stunning necklace!
Which ocean goddess do you think would wear these?