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The Burmese python hatchlings that contributed to this jewelry were captured by invasive species biologists, who kindly donated them to me once they were dispatched so I could give them new life.
I do not relish the death of any creature. It is a harsh reality of wildlife management—one of the most difficult parts of the work. But once you witness the havoc wrought by invasive species, a tragic understanding emerges. Not agreement, not pleasure, but recognition. It would be easier to deny responsibility, to let species like the python continue undisturbed. Yet the reality is ours to bear. These animals suffer because of the mistakes of our species, and while their end is sorrowful, we must accept accountability for the consequences we’ve caused.
I contend with this by making the most of the body left behind. Bones and skin become jewelry, artifacts, mementos; the meat returns to the Earth.
The piece you hold was handled with extreme care from the start. I removed the hide gently, allowed nature to clean the bones, and followed a meticulous drying process over weeks to preserve their integrity. Once ready, I cut the hide to the shape of each pendant and encased it in resin so that its memory endures far beyond its brief life.
Thank you for giving this memory a new home to dwell.