The Verdant Warden | Framed Stag Beetle Brooch

The Verdant Warden is a one-of-a-kind stag beetle brooch with a second life as a framed curiosity. Deep green glass anchors its body beneath an amber-colored glass focal point, while gold-toned legs and branching mandibles give this small specimen a distinctly grand silhouette. Against black velvet, it looks quite prepared to guard a secret garden. Admission is apparently by appointment.

I made this specimen using vintage glass and fluted gold-toned beads reclaimed from my mom’s jewelry from the 1990s, supplemented with small gold-toned metal beads and glass bugle beads. Part of the Vintage Glen series, it carries a little family history into a new, six-legged form. The green and amber tones belong to vintage glass, not precious stones, and the metal components are gold-toned, not precious metal.

An ornate gold-toned square frame makes it a miniature cabinet-of-curiosities display. To take the warden wandering, easily remove the brooch for wear by carefully slipping it out of the rubber clip that holds it in place. Carefully made but very fragile, this is a piece for thoughtful handling and occasional adornment, not rough adventures. Handle gently when removing, wearing, and returning it to its display.

As with all pieces, this one is one of a kind. Once it's gone, it's gone.

Product Details

• Name: The Verdant Warden
• Edition: One of a Kind
• Series: Vintage Glen
• Form: Removable stag beetle brooch with display frame
• Brooch Size: 2.5 × 2.5 inches
• Frame Size: 3 × 3 inches, square
• Materials: Reclaimed vintage glass and fluted gold-toned beads from 1990s jewelry, small gold-toned metal beads, glass bugle beads
• Presentation: Ornate gold-toned square frame with black velvet background
• Removal: Carefully slip the brooch out of its rubber clip to wear.
• Style: Cabinet of curiosities, specimen-inspired, wearable sculpture
• Handmade: Hand-assembled in my studio
• Care: Very fragile. Handle gently and keep protected between wears.

Beauty Undiscovered [PULCHRITUDO OCCULTA]