Kelp Garden, 2026

I was intrigued by the rustic, hand-made tubular glass beads that were loose in one of the Bling Boxes. These irregularly shaped beads appeared very dark and dense at first. However, when held up to the light, their true colours emerged in shades of blue and green. They resembled ancient Roman glass pieces, with uneven forms and haphazard structures that evoked images of moving water, the inky depths of the ocean, and the muted hues of aquatic vegetation.

As I continued to explore the boxes, inspired by thoughts of watery depths, I discovered a variety of fish earrings and pendants. I decided to take these along with a string of polished agates, which felt as though they contained plant material in various shades and colours. Although the agates were uniform in shape, their internal structures and organic patterns made the stones appear as if they had grown naturally. This perceived randomness complemented the tubular glass beads, inspiring me to create a piece centered around the ocean.

I designed the Kelp Garden neck piece, starting with a curved piece of driftwood as the attachment point. I hand-dyed the cotton cording to evoke the feeling of kelp fronds and to harmonize with the colours of the glass beads. I chose chams and beads that visually suggested silvery fish darting in and out of the kelp, swaying with the ocean currents. Ultimately, none of the fish items from the bling box fit the piece, as they were too bright and felt overly commercial.

Kelp Garden represents natural growth, the movement of water, and the hidden life within the ocean.