Tombo - Long necklace with dragonfly
Artist: Marcia Geving
Materials: Sterling Silver, lampwork beads
Dimensions: 34" & 3" extension, claw closure
Artist Statement: Elements in nature are my greatest inspiration and living in the Pacific Northwest surrounded by water, great flying insects and natural woven baskets are always great subjects for jewelry.
I created embossed water rings and dragonflies using hand cut stencils on sterling silver run through the rolling mill, cut and formed.
The beads designed from the fish baskets were acid etched in silver, pierced, formed and soldered into flat backed lentil beads and appear on both necklaces.I love that the dragonflies or Tombo are an iconic symbol for happiness, strength, courage and success according to Okan Arts.
The dragonfly on the long necklace is fabricated from sterling silver, pierced and riveted onto a backplate and sits on a domed, etched basket surrounded by a large silver bezel.
Artist Bio: At 5, I had a love affair with my 1st grade teacher. She wore a smock with her name embroidered on it, could draw and paint and craft and put colors and textures together. She was kind and loved everything her students created and I was sold, I wanted to be an art teacher too!
For 50 years I have navigated my life through all forms of art. Whether it was sculpting cakes, designing graphics and corporate packaging, creating theme parties, building turnkey businesses, designing and remodeling homes or teaching special ed art, every facet of my life was art in one way or another.
While taking classes at the UW, I found the metals program and it simply made my soul dance. So I spent most of my time honing my craft hoping one day I could just make jewelry full time without having to compromise my art.
It has taken retirement to get that chance and I love renewing my old skills, taking new classes from great instructors and applying life skills to what I create. It is a great gift.
Fabric Motif: A summer pattern of fresh water, dragonflies, and woven baskets along the bank. The dragonfly (tombo) represents happiness, strength, courage and success. It is an important cultural icon in Japan that is believed to be the spirit of the rice plant
This piece is part of the Yukata Inspired 2024, a collaborative exhibition between Okan Arts & Danaca Design featuring metalwork and collage. Learn more and view the entire collection HERE.
All artwork from this collection will be available for shipping or pickup after the exhibition concludes on June 23rd. If you'd like to purchase an art piece as a gift, we'll happily provide you with a printed image and its inspiration story.