What a strange time we’re living through right now! How have you held up in these uncertain times? We’ve had a lot of extra time on our hands, and not by design either. We’ve been forced to slow down. While sheltering in place, some have taken the opportunity for self reflection and retrospection. Many are using this time to experience and appreciate the world around them, where in the past we just sped by, taking our surroundings and people for granted.
Some of us have started gardens while others have had the time to actually plan and prepare meals with their children instead of swinging by for fast food takeout. When was the last time you had a chance to stay home, read a book, and spend quality time with our immediate family members?
It’s during this time I’ve had the opportunity to create RaRE Findings’ “Hammered & Forged” collections of Bracelets, Earrings, and Necklaces. Getting my inspiration from the surrounding forests and water ways around me. I’ve spent many hours wading the creeks and rivers near me with my trusty sidekick and lifelong friend. Always on the lookout for what mother nature will gift me that day. I am fortunate enough to live in the area of many crystal mines in this part of the country. There is also the only diamond mine in the United States. Also the only turquoise mine this far east.
Also prevalent are early ancient American artifacts, stone scrapers, spear points, and arrow heads. Sometimes just flickering under the ripples of the waters surface, not held in human hands for thousands of years. What an honor to hold and imagine if it could tell its story. I’ve also hiked and wandered the trails of the woods while listening to the wind softly blowing through the leaves. Looking up through the tree tops as the light filters down to the forest floor, its here where I get my inspiration.
Creating my collections of “Stix, Stones, Water and Knots”. Each start as a piece of heavy gauge wire of sterling silver, bronze or copper. Hammered, heated, and torched and then torched and hammered again and again before it finds its desired form. And of course each piece is paired with all the objects that you’ve come to love about RaRE. Ancient excavated beads, roman glass, raw gemstones or viking artifacts.
Stix
Stix inspired by pieces of tree limbs, piled and stacked, intertwining to create shapes and angles.
Water
Inspired by ripples of a dropping stone in the river, the water circling out in all directions.
Stones
Inspired by my trips to Greece. Beautiful little stones, round and oval, shaped by the Grecian sea shore. Rolling around in the sands for millions of years, while ancient Grecian and Minoan ruins stand by.
Knots
Inspired by burled knots on a black walnut tree, a burl is caused by an injury or stress to the tree. The bark slowly grows over and creates ugly scar until a lucky person stumbles upon it. When sawed in half and crafted into a beautiful piece of furniture of art.
I love working with natural metals and found objects. I’m really excited to share this new collection with you. As we navigate through these uncertain times, it’s more important to support our small businesses, artists and independent eateries. They really are the heartbeat of our communities. Watch our website and social media pages for updates and upcoming events.
Continued Blessings,
Debra