Abalone Shell Necklace
Abalone Shell Necklace
Abalone shells come mainly from New Zealand. These small ones have been drilled to make beads, and they are the loveliest colours - lilacs, pinks, sea greens and blues in beautiful swirling patterns. There is a planished Sterling Silver shape at the centre as a focal point. The silver hook and chain fastening allows the necklace length to be altered so that it can be worn next to the skin in Summer, and then over a polo neck or similar in colder weather.
Good design is the most important element I aim to feature in my work – that, plus colour and texture. I spend a lot of time hunting out good stone merchants who can provide me with unusual cuts of stones, and I would say these are my unique selling point. Usually I will only make one or two of any particular design, hence people really are buying unique pieces of art work. I like to use textured stones – rough crystals, unusual corals and pearls, lava and ammonites are all materials I incorporate in my work. I also use a number of techniques to create interesting surfaces, including etching, reticulation and even the ancient Etruscan art of granulation. Necklaces are my signature pieces, although I also do an interesting line in unusual earrings and finger rings.
