Cicada brooch 

This nickel silver brooch I made in my first year at SCAD is inspired by the annual cicadas from my hometown and holds deep personal meaning, as it incorporates my birthstone along with my mom’s and dad’s, allowing me to carry a piece of them, and of home, wherever I go. Cicadas also mark the beginning of my fascination with insects, as I first began collecting their shells as a child, a passion that has since become one of my greatest creative inspirations. In this way, the piece connects both my family roots and the origins of my artistic journey. The brooch was made entirely by hand, with my templates first designed in Illustrator before being brought to life in metal.