This was supposed to be the last big narrative piece to roll lout of my studio in 2022 but I ran out of steam at 41 weeks pregnant and couldn’t quite finish the job. No matter! It is the first big narrative piece to roll out of my studio in 2023 which is just as sweet.

I designed this necklace around an uncommon piece of black druzy and I wanted the design to look like a wolf leaving her den to hunt under the night sky. All my wolf designs are inspired by the backcountry basin we hunt elk in each fall where our main competition for food is the resident wolf pack.

I will be creating another necklace, a sister design to this black druzy necklace, that will feature a white druzy I found on a spur that drops off the main ridge on the North side of the basin we hunt — I call this spur ridge “Elk Agate Spur” because it’s littered with agates and druzy. When we hike up this spur to the main ridge I find myself terribly distracted by the ground beneath my feet. I’m supposed to be looking for elk sign and critters on distant slopes but I wind up watching the ground with each step looking for beautiful agates. I always find a few amazing pieces of rock to stuff in my hunting pack and bring home with me.

This necklace and the sister piece (and 50% of the jewelry I create between now and June) will be coming with me to Old Salt Festival in Montana this June where I will be presenting my work alongside a bunch of my talented friends — musicians, chefs, writers, artists, hat makers, bag designers…the list goes on and on. I invite you to purchase tickets to the festival which are available at the Old Salt Festival Website. Come join us! It’s going to be an amazing time with incredible people, you included (we hope).

Until then, good hunting.