Curating Nature: How We Choose Natural Objects
Nature has always been one of our biggest sources of inspiration.
There are so many incredible details in natural objects that you simply can't find in something manufactured.
Subtle asymmetry that feels surprisingly satisfying to the eye, textures that calm your nerves when you touch them, and little imperfections that somehow feel just right.
Nicky and I have always loved spending time outside. Whether we're hiking, camping, fishing, walking our dog along the Gorge Waterway, or simply sitting in a friend's backyard for a BBQ, we're always noticing the small details around us.
Interesting objects are everywhere.
Sometimes inspiration comes from a big adventure, and sometimes it's found during an ordinary walk.
Finding the Right Object
When we find something in nature, we're always looking closely at its shape, texture, and size.
Some objects immediately catch our attention — like finding a sand dollar at Rathtrevor Beach, or spotting a shell that many people on Vancouver Island feel connected to.
But choosing an object isn't always as simple as finding something beautiful.
A flower might look perfect, but the petals may be too delicate. A rock might catch our eye, but not have enough texture to imprint clearly. Sometimes an object we love simply doesn't translate the way we imagined once it becomes jewellery.
There are definitely many experiments, and trust us, we’ve had many failed attempts along the way. But that's part of what makes the process interesting.
Capturing Nature's Details
Once we find an object that inspires us, the next step is preserving those little details.
We create impressions from natural objects so we can capture the textures, patterns, and shapes that make each piece unique.
Curious about how these impressions become wearable pieces?
Learn more about our moulding process here. 👇
Carrying the Story Forward
These pieces are more than jewellery to us.
They start as something small — a shell found at Chesterman Beach in Tofino, a feather found in our yard, a texture noticed on an ordinary afternoon.
And somewhere along the way, they become something someone chooses to carry with them.
The meaning behind each piece is different for everyone.
Our Mourning Dove feather necklace is especially meaningful to Nicky — she found the feather in our yard after losing her dad. Mourning Doves are often seen as symbols of peace, hope, renewal, and the enduring connection we feel with loved ones who have passed.
For others, it's a place. Someone who got engaged on Mystic Beach along the Juan de Fuca Trail, for example, and wants to carry a small reminder of that moment with them.
Every person brings their own story.
And that's one of our favourite parts of creating jewellery — seeing how something found in nature can become something deeply personal.
We love hearing the stories and memories that people connect with each piece.