Our Process
We design, cast, and finish our jewelry from our home studio in Richmond Virginia. We use three methods to create our pieces: some are carved in wax and then molded, some are drawings that we give depth to on the computer and 3D print in wax, while some are cast directly from bits of organic material. We generally work in sterling silver, but also in gold and bronze.
While Sara initiates most of the designs, Cesar pretty much does everything else. He used to be a formulation scientist, which makes him comfortable with the equipment and technical aspects of casting- the fire and the acetylene torch, the beakers, and temperature gauges and seemingly endless small specific tools.
Sara is the artist and plant lover. She learned gardening from her mother, who also encouraged her art. Now she volunteers pulling up invasive species and pruning street trees as a tree steward for Richmond city.
Our Intent
The research that goes into choosing, designing, and packing our pieces is also an important aspect of what we do. Each piece comes with a card that details something about that species- like its ingenious biological adaptations, its use in industry, or its role in culture.
Plants are everywhere, and they are the basis of so much that we have in our world- food, medicine, life... But as humanity moves increasingly into cities, our familiarity with plants may come more from what we see at a Lowe's garden center than from our environments.
The natural world is beautiful, but it is also complex and delicate, dirty, unfair, breath-taking and random. While we can't capture all of that in our jewelry, our customers receive a piece of art and a little story, and hopefully become a little more connected to the green world around them.
Our Partnership
Cesar and I met in a Chinese restaurant. I had been working in China for several years when I came home to visit and found Cesar speaking better mandarin than I did. What was this? Another American speaking Chinese? The fact that he is Peruvian meant that Spanish became part of our connection, and we soon found out that we had a lot more in common.
We both enjoy working with our hands, the outdoors, and drawings. Our interests eventually led us into this jewelry business. It can be challenging to run a business with your spouse, but it certainly feels good when we get it right.
Recently we added a son to our team. He helps us by teaching us to walk slowly through parks and forests, and to look closely at every little detail. We have found several new species to work with by looking at the world from his perspective.
