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Cicada Wings and a Moment of Peace, Captured in Jewelry

by Tamara Robertson.
(Sarnia, Ontario, Canada)

These are a couple of nature-inspired pieces that I made recently.

During the late summer, I found a dead cicada on the sidewalk. Its wings were still beautiful and in perfect shape, so I brought them home to make a piece of jewellery with.

I decided that adhering them to pieces of shell seemed to be a good pairing. They were supported and highlighted nicely.

I found a couple of shell portions in my stash that were similar enough for earrings, and the right size and shape. I sealed them after gently gluing them on.

Then, how to attach them to ear wires… I tried a few things, but the wings are so delicate looking, everything seemed to take away from their beauty.

Eventually I came across a piece of silky black mesh fabric. I wrapped it and attached it to the tops of the shells, and attached the rest of the components to that.

I didn’t want to them be simply black and white, so I added a few bright pink stone beads for a simple pop of colour.

This necklace is simply something I put together one morning on a whim.

I was given the pretty mother-of-pearl pendant in a bag of goodies passed on to me by a friend. I decided it looked nice on this vintage silver ball chain, because the pendant needed a substantial chain.

But, as usual, I wasn’t content to leave the pendant blank, even though it was pretty that way. The compulsion to embellish kicked in. 🙂

I found this little mother-of-pearl dove, and this grey mother-of-pearl leaf, in my stash, and decided to do a dove with olive leaf scene.

Interestingly, unbeknownst to me, the next day was the International Day of Peace.

So my little, simply put together necklace was done just at the right time.

Tamara Robertson
Pink Pearls and Potpourri