Inspired by the sea, crafted by hand, and worn to connect us to the awe inspiring beauty of nature and the peace found their in. This new rockweed collection has been one that I have come back to again and again in the sketch book and I am beyond excited to have these earrings and its partner necklace going live in the shop

Crafted in solid sterling silver or 14kt gold, these asymmetrical tidal warriors measure 8mm in length, with a 2mm long top node and 6mm long dangle. Each component was carved from wax with painstaking attention to detail. It is finished by hand and polished to perfection, harnessing the flowing beauty of the tides.

Rockweed, like our dear friend the barnacle, is a staple organism found on the coast of Maine and its presence is vitally important to the health of our waters, and the creatures that live there.

Like all my work, a portion of each sale goes towards oceanic and coastal conservation. This collection helps raise money for the Maine Rockweed Coalition and the Oceanic Conservancy.

*Ascophyllum nodosum, more commonly called Rockweed, is a species of brown algae or seaweed that is found along the New England coast.  It grows on available hard surfaces, including rocks, shells, and dock pilings.  

As a member of the New England coastal habitat, Ascophyllum nodosum has multiple important roles that impact a variety of other marine species. First, the fronds of the rockweed create a protected canopy for organisms. This sheltered habitat hides smaller organisms from predators and can prevent desiccation of intertidal species when the water recedes at low tide.

Less visually obvious is the impact that rockweed has on seawater chemistry. Increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere due to the burning of fossil fuels result in an increase in the uptake of CO2 by the ocean. When CO2 dissolves in seawater, carbonic acid is formed and the process is called “ocean acidification.” A series of chemical reactions between CO2 and seawater lower the pH, making the water more acidic. This is problematic for shell producing organisms in particular. Photosynthesizers, such as rockweed, require CO2 and reduce its levels by using it to produce their own food, thereby also regulating the pH. Additionally, oxygen is a helpful byproduct of photosynthesis that we all benefit from. Seaweed produces a significant amount of the Earth's oxygen, with estimates ranging from 50% to 70% or even more. 

*More info about rockweed can be found at Maine Rockweed Coalition. Please consider donating to help fund their important and incredible work.

https://mainerockweedcoalition.org/