Q3 Home Project Process Post #1

I am incredibly excited to begin on this new project - coconut earrings. Much of my jewelry work has been impressive due to its size and its relation to the body, but now I wish to explore the medium in a different way, where the scale is smaller, but still interesting. In order to do this, unconventional materials is the route I am choosing to take. While coconuts are materials that have historically been used in jewelry making, it is usually sanded and shaved down, and then polished for a smooth finish. The shell looks beautiful when treated in this way, but I want to fully encapsulate the unique material into my piece. That's why I plan on making the work about shaving, and whether one shaves their legs or doesn't, both are equally fashionable. These earrings are also unique because they are more like daily decor rather than art interpreted as jewelry. The shaved leg earring will be carved with a few scratches which I could paint in, which would make it less than perfect because lets face it - hair removal is not a perfect process, and there is often a price to pay - in blood or pain. If that is not possible, I will simply carve the leg to be full of carved out shapes in a floral-like pattern. The other earring will be carved in the shape of a leg as well, but it will have the full, hairy texture of the original coconut shell. The contrast will be fun to photograph. This home project will be a fun and challenging experience for me, as I struggle to carve, and because the scale is so small. Stay tuned for updates!

(P.S. I haven't started yet because we have to drive out to the Indian store to get coconuts!!)

Q3 Home Project Planning Page - Coconut Earrings

(read it for more details about the piece and its intent!)