#5 Vermont Shell Remnant Pendant OOAK #5

There's something about these shells. Their pearl-like shine caught my eye when we were exploring a new part of the shores of lake Champlain. They were formerly under water and now exposed. Like a kid in a candy store, I excitedly collected a small pile. They glistened in the sun. Their shapes - reminiscent of bones, teeth, arrowheads... so appealing.

They're the thick remains of mussel, the thin part was worn away as they were tumbled by the elements, the wind, the waves, the rocks. In my eyes, they are transformed! I see their raw beauty. What's left is their essence, their strongest part... the hinge... like the heart... of the shell. Edges smoothed out, sensual shapes and contours - little nature sculptures. Something ordinary, unspecial, disregarded but so much beauty in the resilience of what remains. 

I wanted to celebrate these pieces and breathe new life into them. I wondered if they'd break when I drilled them but they didn't! I've paired them with my moons and other silver bits and just love how they look. I hope you do too!

This iteration features our Tiny Silver Full Moon above our Tiny Silver Totem Bar suspending this gorgeous shell remnant. 

Moons are 5/8" wide, and total height of the "pendant" portion from the top of the moon to the bottom of the shell is 1 3/4" tall, suspended on our 16"/18" adjustable oxidized Sterling Silver chain.

Just like my VT Rock Pendants, these pieces give back! I'll be donating $5 from every Pendant to the Lake Champlain Committee (LCC). They work for clean accessible water through science-based advocacy, education and collaborative action. They have a history of nearly 60 years as the region's only bi-state non-profit organization dedicated to lake health and accessibility.