This is another example how some items take me years to complete. The hand formed red clay portion of the pendant was built and fired in 1999, meant to be part of a 3 dimensional vest. At that time my art to wear collaged fiber vests were being commissioned and keeping me quite busy at my then open store - gallery - studio.

In 2005 I added the sterling and hand wrought the neckpiece to create a necklace. In 2008 I added the red mookaite and blue sponge coral. Now the signed, handpainted presentation jewelry box has been completed. It's not that I am not serious about my work, as most commissioned work is often completed in six to twelve weeks, it is just that some pieces take years to evolve.

Who knows, one day this may all be taken apart to take yet another form...

A word about the word "presentation box", do not be fooled by the indiscriminate misuse of the term. It must be one that the artist herself has handpainted, signed, added gems and elements that coordinate with the piece of jewelry she has hand fabricated, and is not just any paper covered cardboard container.