Sometimes making art – and magic – is so weird.

I stumbled on six empty bulllet casings in the woods over a year ago. They were tarnished and half buried in pine needles: I’m not sure how I spotted them at all. But as so often happens, I felt compelled to bring them home. And this week, I felt compelled to create something with them.

It’s a scary time in Portland. I’m sure I don’t need to explain why: just look at the news and social media and you know what’s going on in our city. So it’s no surprise I have protection on my mind right now. No wonder I have protection from guns, specifically, on my mind.

I felt a little uneasy making this piece. I don’t even like handling empty casings of ammunition. At the same time, it felt deeply appropriate to create something fiercely protective from the empty shells of a tool of violence. Like fighting fire with fire. Like taking something made to be used for hate, and turning it into something beautiful. Something that can hold a lot of magic to keep us safe.

The nut in the center of the pendant, and the brass wire used to make the hanging loop for the pendant, were also found in the woods, on different days. The black circle is cut from a ruined wool dress. Only the red thread is new.

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