Fair Fashion

Odette New York: Handcrafted Jewelry Inspired by Natural Ephemera

odettenecklace

I was lucky enough to receive the gorgeous necklace above from my boyfriend for Christmas this year. Not only is it lovely and interesting, it is made by hand, locally, in NYC (Brooklyn, to be exact) and is one of the many creations that’s part of the modern jewelry line, Odette New York.

I had spotted the necklace at an eco fashion event in Brooklyn during the most recent NYC Fall Fashion Week, and exclaimed over the unique and crafted aesthetic that guides the line. He remembered! The necklace came in a pretty keepsake bag and is part of a line of ocean-themed pieces, called ‘Sea‘.

beeyootiful jellyfish
Jellyfish at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, which inspired the gift!

I’ve always loved jellyfish and can watch them for hours, such simple, singularly graceful beings that seem composed of nothing, yet are alive and sensitive beings perfectly suited to their environment.

foxringodette

Designer Jennifer Sarkilahti writes on Odette New York’s site: “Each original design begins from a pencil sketch that is carefully translated by hand into wax like a tiny sculpture before being cast into metal.” You can see the evidence of the cast when you look closely at the charms.

odettefoxringgirl

The Fox ring is a completely unique take on the statement ring, and he’s such a cute little canine, perched on top of his hill! There are many other animals and other pieces of natural ephemera caught in metal on Odette New York’s site.

foxyface

Starre Vartan is founder and editor-in-chief of Eco-Chick.com and the author of the Eco-Chick Guide to Life. She's also a freelance science and environment writer who has published in National Geographic, CNN, Scientific American, Mental Floss, Pacific Standard, the NRDC, and many more. She lives on an island in Puget Sound with her partner and black cat. She was a geologist in her first career, and still picks up rocks wherever she goes.