The Brand: Cat Bates is an artist and jewelry-maker based in Biddeford, Maine. Cat has been working on this body of work for the last decade and it continues to evolve organically and magically. Cat says, “I find a distinct beauty in utilitarian objects, and often notice that through use such objects become more beautiful still. I think of a bronze oarlock, its exterior caked with oxide from exposure to salt spray, its interior buffed to a warm luster by the rubbing of a dinghies wooden oars. It excites me to see that the metal has been worn smooth, and to know that if use continues the metal will eventually wear thin, will eventually no longer serve its function; that the use of an object will eventually lead to its end. I design jewelry that will last long enough for use to compound its beauty. If you wear one of my pieces, I hope that you will take pleasure in knowing that you are part of what makes it beautiful.”
Description: “A few summers ago, when walking past swim beach, I was struck by the visual similarity between a feather and the oar of a skiff,” Cat Bates writes. “I remember starting to sketch the next morning, attempting to capture a poetic amalgamation of these distinct-yet-similar forms in a pendant design. To row is to propel across the water using oars. To feather is to row with intention and ease, like the gliding of a gull over water.” This beautiful pendant is sand cast from a hand carved master, and features Bates’ signature sister-clip clasp. The tan cord is hand-braided in-house using a kumihimo loom, and is pigmented rather than dyed and will fade to a pale white or grey over time. This necklace is like a poem.
Details: Silver pendant, tan hand braided nylon cord, silver sister-clasp closure. Measures 11 1/2" inches in total length, pendant measures 1” long. Handmade in Maine.
A Note From Erika: A new design from Cat and a new favorite of mine. Its delicate yet strong form is perfect.
The Brand: Cat Bates is an artist and jewelry-maker based in Biddeford, Maine. Cat has been working on this body of work for the last decade and it continues to evolve organically and magically. Cat says, “I find a distinct beauty in utilitarian objects, and often notice that through use such objects become more beautiful still. I think of a bronze oarlock, its exterior caked with oxide from exposure to salt spray, its interior buffed to a warm luster by the rubbing of a dinghies wooden oars. It excites me to see that the metal has been worn smooth, and to know that if use continues the metal will eventually wear thin, will eventually no longer serve its function; that the use of an object will eventually lead to its end. I design jewelry that will last long enough for use to compound its beauty. If you wear one of my pieces, I hope that you will take pleasure in knowing that you are part of what makes it beautiful.”
Description: “A few summers ago, when walking past swim beach, I was struck by the visual similarity between a feather and the oar of a skiff,” Cat Bates writes. “I remember starting to sketch the next morning, attempting to capture a poetic amalgamation of these distinct-yet-similar forms in a pendant design. To row is to propel across the water using oars. To feather is to row with intention and ease, like the gliding of a gull over water.” This beautiful pendant is sand cast from a hand carved master, and features Bates’ signature sister-clip clasp. The tan cord is hand-braided in-house using a kumihimo loom, and is pigmented rather than dyed and will fade to a pale white or grey over time. This necklace is like a poem.
Details: Silver pendant, tan hand braided nylon cord, silver sister-clasp closure. Measures 11 1/2" inches in total length, pendant measures 1” long. Handmade in Maine.
A Note From Erika: A new design from Cat and a new favorite of mine. Its delicate yet strong form is perfect.
