Materials
Brass, Copper, Moonstone
Technique
Fabrication, Sheet Metal Work, Soldering, Wireworking
Year
2026
Tags
Overview
Ear cuffs born from medieval heraldry, crusader imagery, and the idea that armor can be beautiful. Dragon wings, crests, and the motto 'For An Endless Spring' — because protection and joy are not opposites.
Full Story
01 — Research — medieval heraldry, crusader imagery, and the iconography of knighthood
02 — Physical mood board — tactile research collage exploring texture, pattern, and narrative
03 — Coat of Arms design — 'For An Endless Spring' — the guiding concept
04 — Sketches — four iterations of the ear cuff form
05 — Prototype — front view, brass ear cuffs with moonstone drops
06 — Prototype — back view showing structural detail and moonstone bezel
07 — Final Product — Draconis worn, close-up detail shot
08 — Final Product — Draconis in full, Savannah editorial
Concept
Medieval Europe is full of jewelry that meant something — crests, sigils, armor — every piece was a statement of identity and allegiance. I wanted to pull that energy into something modern and wearable. The ear cuff form naturally evokes armor plating along the ear, so I leaned into that: dragon-wing silhouettes, heraldic geometry, a dangling moonstone drop that catches light like a gemstone in a royal setting. The motto 'For An Endless Spring' became the guiding spirit — this is armor for living beautifully, not surviving.
Process
Research began with medieval heraldry, crusader manuscripts, and gothic stained glass. I built a physical mood board collaging textures, patterns, and iconography, then sketched four iterations of the ear cuff form — pushing the dragon-wing silhouette until it read as both fierce and elegant. The pieces were fabricated from brass and copper sheet metal, hand-cut and soldered, then finished with wireworking for the moonstone drop bezels.
Final
Draconis — brass ear cuffs with moonstone drops, shot on location in Savannah. Available to commission via the contact page.