The mussel's external shell is composed of two hinged halves or ‘valves’. I have taken these tiny natural forms and replicated them by creating a mould of each half into which hot silver is poured to form solid shell-shaped casts. These are then filed and prepared before being soldered together to reawaken the delicate combined forms in sterling silver. Pieces are finished with an oxidized, polished outer surface to bring out the textured detail and the protected inner may be realised in either 18ct gold plating or pale turquoise enamel.
