Forest Finds — ALL GOODS FROM THE WOODS ®

Mushrooms

The strangeness of fungi survives the loss of innocence about the limits of nature. They trump the supernatural, their magic intensifying the more we learn about them. Mushrooms are the masters of alchemy - transforming the death of the forest into thriving ecosystems. Providing some of the most potent medicines not only for humans, but for animals, plants and within our earth. Mycellium connects entire ecosystems through their wide webs under the surface and are actively healing this planet within those webs. It is no surprise that mushrooms have been revered by humanity for many many generations for both their medicinal properties as well as their profound ability to connect us to non-physical forms. I truly see mushrooms as our allies and our ancestors and wish to bring their mystical powers into all of our awareness. Anyone else wish to honor the fungal kingdom with me??

~Creating Process~

My husband and I live in the woods and have devoted our Fall Seasons to foraging/mushroom hunting over the last 13 years. We gather only what is in abundance and make my REAL mushroom molds used for my silver pieces right there, in the woods. We also gather up the tiny mycena mushrooms and "press" them. I leave them in books with heavy weights for several weeks before recovering the shrooms and putting them on a dehydrator. I then take the dehydrated mushrooms and set them behind glass using an epoxy to seal the seam for my classic mini mushroom pendants.

Self mined crystals

Be sure to check out my full length blog post on how to mine crystals in California, yourself!

Seeking out crystals that have only experienced life from within our earth. Their energy is pure, uncontaminated, and wise. These minerals radiate their connection with Mother Earth and tell a story that no human could ever create. We embrace their uniqueness. It isn't always about how perfect the point is, but the character within each crystal. What excites us is the rutilations, inclusions, clusters, double terminated and rare growths.

Mining, if done in an unconscious manner, can actually cause quite a bit of harm and disrespect to the natural environment. Jay and I make a conscious effort to be respectful of mother nature's treasures and do our best to honor these minerals without causing harm to the land. We leave behind far more than we take. It is a beautiful part of the process to tune in and listen when a crystal wants to be left where it was found.

Earth mid-Decomposition

Beetle Trackings - the shift
A leap in perception.
Although I have always been drawn to nature's fine details, my overall appreciation and understanding have drastically changed. These beetle trackings have seeped deeper, attracting more and more of my attention. Their beauty is soft and most often missed at first glance. Their imprints are much more than senseless markings, but a message of existence, of b r e a t h e, a symbiotic relationship between life and the decaying, a harmonious exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The mindless - yet conscious act of nature. I revere at the simplicity these markings offer. To find joy in simplicity, and beauty in the micro details.

Twigs

People love trees, yet twigs are seen as debris beneath our feet and rarely used for anything other than kindling, much less works of art. The way I see it, these twigs are part of trees and speak the same language. You see a whole new world once you lay eye level on the forest floor. An intricate miniature forest of surprising organic forms and natural wonders can be found. I look for the hidden mystery in each twig. Scars, knots, beetle trackings, rot stains and fungi debris. They all have a story to tell, you care to listen with me?

butterfly migration

Living a nomadic lifestyle for a decade+, we lived to chase the seasons that our hearts desired. Though I have much love and appreciation for all four seasons, SPRING is my favorite for it is the rebirth of the land, bringing us a variety of life to admire. We have been fortunate enough to see and follow small sections of the butterfly migrations over the years. It is a beautiful thing to watch these little ones flutter around like a stampede in the sky. unfortunately for the butterflies, they live rather short lives, and even shorter when they float their way into our transportation routes... It is with a heavy heart, that I walk these highways and gather the hundreds of dead butterflies. They will be honored, ooo'd and awwww'd for the rest of time.

Bones + Claws

Found in the wild, discarded by the creatures of the food chain.
Most of the itty bitty bones that I find are from moles, gophers, squirrels and similar creatures. In this photo you can see these jaws bones were scavenged from an owl pellet. I am absolutely fascinated by the cycles of life and wish to honor the process in its entirety.

ANTLER Sheds

What a gift!
the chances of stumbling upon the exact spot that a deer once stood when he shed his horns is humbling in itself.
it completely twists my noodle to think about where this horn has been prior to shedding.
the places this antler has traveled while resting on top of a majestic creatures head,
all the wildlife it has seen.
It brings wonder as to which nearby mountain this horn has trekked up and down
which water source it returned to time and time again
which old growth tree it lied under each night.
It has gone on a lengthy, not always so pleasant journey with a deer that has used it as protection against the low hanging branches in tight corridors, and most importantly used as a weapon, challenging countless other bucks for the chance to procreate with the sexiest doe. If this horn could talk, what story would it tell? .
To me, jewelry is not just an accessory but an expression. Being able to wear something that has once lived the wild life is both grounding and powerful. No manufactured good can beat the wisdom & character that nature provides