Textiles: Botanical Prints 

I have always loved plants; not in the academic sense like my botany professor grandfather, or my mother's greenhouse, but in a sensual way; appreciating the colors, scents, functions, and how it all changes over the seasons. This year I discovered Botanical Printing with Linda Illuminardi. In this process plant matter prints directly onto fabric or paper through tight binding and steam. Of course hidden processes are necessary such as mordanting and scouring. (Double double, toil and trouble!) Among the prints above are clothing, scarves, and decorative pillow covers. Each is unique. I particularly enjoy how what prints changes...the seed tendrils of the Acacia tree can print beautifully as well as the crazy yellow pom-pom flowers. The seeds only emerge here in January. It makes sense that ten years ago I began making jewelry using botanical motifs.

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Jewelry 

The botanical jewelry pieces began with transforming native seeds of local  plants into silver jewelry. The  California Native Seeds Charm Bracelet is one example of this pursuit. It was made with jade beads, as shown, pearls, or simply the silver.  The Mega Acorn Necklaces are larger than life size fine silver acorns from various genus of oaks, handcrafted individually. The Date Seed Series were designed from the hanging tendrils on a fertile date palm. Stones included are turquoise, tourmaline, garnet, amethyst, and rutilated quartz.