Crazy plant inspirations

Last month I was in Hawaii for a week. I could've just photographed plants the whole time... they are like an alien life form! It was amazing to see how green everything was, and how weird most plants were. And the scale... many plants had leaves that would make great umbrellas. But time was short and there were other things to see (and, sadly, I'm a horrible photographer! all of these photos are by my boyfriend Sky... none of mine came out clearly... I'm telling you, I just see the world differently than a camera does).

To prove my point, this is my blurry fern. I'll only share one of the many photos I took. Ferns are always intriguing, and each leaf on this one was taller than I am so the fronds were extra creepy and caterpillar-looking.

It's been a while since I've designed jewelry with things sticking out of it... this lily and several other plants make me want to tackle some new ideas!

The above two images are the same plant. Sky and are were both taken by this plant, probably because it was growing in fields of lava, so the color and shapes were especially dramatic and intense against the stark black. It was great to see it in so many different forms of its being... I loved all aspects of it from soft blooms to crusty husks. So many contrasts of shape, color and texture.

These green tubes are a different kind of spiky... I like 'em, especially clustered up like that. Great texture.

This is a humble coconut, yet check out where it's growing! Surrounded by sea water and lava... not sure how it's surviving but I love it's will to live as well as the general theme of "emerging" and "bloom where you are planted."

All of the palms on the island were incredible with their ability to grab our attention with unusual fanning and pleating techniques, but this "albino palm" (as we called it) grabbed our attention for being so darned white while surrounded by such lush color. Dare to be different!