Article: The Inspiration Behind the Urchin Collection
The Inspiration Behind the Urchin Collection
Some pieces begin with a discovery.
The Urchin Collection started on a beach, with a sea urchin shell I couldn't stop looking at.
Its surface held something I'd been trying to articulate through metalwork for years: texture that invites closer inspection, structure that feels both delicate and grounded, and a form shaped by time rather than trend.
This is the story of how observation became a collection.
The Moment I Found the Shell
I was walking along the shore, noticing small details the way I always do when I need to clear my head.
I looked down and saw a sea urchin shell, bleached by sun and salt, resting in the sand. Its surface was covered in raised ridges and subtle texture, creating a pattern that shifted as light moved across it.
I picked it up and studied the way each ridge connected to the next, how the form held its shape despite its fragility.
I knew immediately I wanted to preserve this.
Not replicate it, not interpret it, preserve it exactly as it was, translated into metal.
I looked more closely at the sand and collected all of the sea urchin shells I could find in all sizes.
Why Texture Holds My Attention
I've always been drawn to surfaces that reveal themselves slowly.
Flat, polished jewelry shows you everything at once. But texture creates intrigue. It catches light differently throughout the day. It invites you to touch it, to turn it, to notice details you missed the first time.
I wanted to carry this into the collection -- texture that feels essential, not added.
How I Preserve Natural Forms in Silver
Translating a found object into wearable jewelry requires precision.
The process begins with mold-making. I worked with a family business in the NYC Diamond District to create a detailed impression of the shell, capturing every ridge, every subtle variation in the surface. The goal is to preserve the integrity of the natural form without losing its character.
Once the mold was complete, I cast the piece in sterling silver. This is where the material choice matters.
Sterling silver holds fine detail. It captures the texture of the shell with clarity, allowing the natural form to remain legible. The metal adds weight and permanence without obscuring the original structure.
After casting, I finish each piece by hand. This step is critical. I refine the surface to enhance depth and light reflection, ensuring the texture reads clearly when worn.
For some, I add gold over the silver, and for others I darken the metal through oxidation.
The result is a piece that carries the shell's presence while functioning as jewelry.
Explore the Urchin Collection to see how natural texture translates into sculptural jewelry.
What the Collection Represents
The Urchin Collection is about noticing.
It celebrates the small details that spark curiosity. The texture you want to touch. The form you want to study. The object you pick up because something about it holds your attention.
This collection reflects three principles that guide my work:
1. Discovery
The best ideas often come from observation, not intention. I wasn't trying to design a collection that day on the beach. I was noticing. The shell revealed itself, and I followed that curiosity.
2. Observation
Design doesn't always require invention. Sometimes it requires attention. The shell's structure was already perfect. My role was to preserve it, to make it wearable, to let its form speak.
3. Artistry Through Craft
Translating a natural object into jewelry requires technical skill and material knowledge. The artistry isn't in adding decoration. It's in honoring the original form while making it functional.
The Urchin Collection carries these ideas. Each piece invites the wearer to slow down, to notice texture, to appreciate form.
Featured Pieces from the Collection
The collection includes several pieces, each highlighting different aspects of the shell's structure.
Urchin Pendant
A sea urchin shell preserved and suspended on a simple leather cord. The texture is fully visible, creating depth and dimension as light shifts across the surface.
Who it's for: Someone who wants a sculptural focal point. A piece that sparks conversation and invites curiosity.
Urchin Ring
A section of the shell's surface translated into a ring. The textured band wraps around the finger, offering a tactile experience. The oxidized finish enhances the ridges, creating contrast and visual depth.
Who it's for: Someone who values texture and wants a piece that feels substantial without being oversized.
Urchin Hug Earrings
Smaller sections of the shell cast in sterling silver, designed to catch light and create movement. The texture remains legible even at this scale, offering intrigue without weight.
Who it's for: Someone who prefers subtle sculptural details. A piece that adds dimension to simple outfits.
How the Collection Evolved
The Urchin Collection didn't launch all at once.
It started with one pair of earrings. I wanted to see if the concept worked, if the texture translated, if the piece felt wearable.
The response was immediate. People reached out to touch it before trying it on. They asked where I found the shell. They wanted to know how it was made.
That curiosity told me the collection had resonance.
From there, I expanded into rings, necklaces, and cuffs. Each piece explores a different aspect of the shell's structure, offering variety while maintaining a cohesive visual language.
The collection continues to evolve. New pieces emerge as I discover new ways to work with the form, new techniques to enhance the texture, new ideas sparked by observation.
Why Natural Forms Matter
Working with found objects keeps my practice grounded.
Nature doesn't follow trends. A shell's structure is shaped by function, not fashion. It exists outside of seasonal aesthetics and cultural shifts.
When I translate natural forms into jewelry, I'm creating pieces that feel timeless because they're rooted in something enduring.
This approach also honors discovery. It celebrates the act of noticing, of paying attention to small details, of finding beauty in unexpected places.
The Urchin Collection reflects this perspective. It's jewelry shaped by observation, not invention.
What Wearing the Collection Feels Like
The pieces in the Urchin Collection carry presence.
They're textural, sculptural, and distinct. They add depth to simple outfits and complement more complex ones. They invite curiosity without demanding attention.
When you wear a piece from this collection, you're carrying a story of discovery. You're wearing art shaped by nature, translated through craft, and made to last.
It feels intentional. Like something you chose because it reflects your perspective, not because it was trending.
Building a Collection Around Discovery
The Urchin Collection is part of a larger practice rooted in observation.
Each collection I create begins with noticing. A texture I want to preserve. A form that holds my attention. A detail that sparks a new idea.
This approach shapes everything I make. It's why my work feels distinct. It's why each piece carries a sense of authorship.
If you're drawn to jewelry that reflects curiosity, craft, and intention, the Urchin Collection is a place to start.
Shop the Urchin Collection to explore pieces shaped by discovery and observation.
