Saving our trees

Today our local tree service is here spraying our Ponderosa Pine trees. Here in the mountains of Colorado we have a terrible problem with mountain pine beetle. Once they attack your trees, the trees die - quickly! We had a big ponderosa that very suddenly turned brown. So we had it taken down and then decided we better spray the rest of our beautiful ponderosas in order to (hopefully) save them from the same fate.

I'm so lucky to live where I do. As I look outside my window I can see a robin sitting in her nest, aspen trees, white pine and Ponderosa pine, foxes, mule deer, elk. Just so much beauty. My environment has a big influence on my artwork. Whether painting or creating jewelry or working in metal clay, somehow these elements become a part of my work.

My little piney pendants are created directly from the pine branches. I press a section of needles into polymer clay and make several molds at once. Then I can use these molds to make my metal clay pendants. Sometimes I add a little hand sculpted bird, or a pine cone, or even a little owl sitting the the needles.

Fine Silver Piney Pendant on hand crocheted black silk with gray freshwater pearls.