Well! Let me refresh your memory!
Allison and I set out to do a collaboration project with a belt (she) and buckle (me).
This was my contribution to the waist hugging team:
A large sterling buckle with a seahorse form, barnacles, bubbbbbbbbbles, double layered leaves, a sterling banner and a raven wing pearl.
My buckle design was inspired by my trip to Hawaii and the jaunt we took, while there, to the only seahorse breeding farm in the world. I was able to watch the little critters for hours and I was the keen recipient of a chance to hold one (I’ll never forget how it felt to have a seahorse tail wrapped round my finger). Anyway. I felt so much, on that trip to Hawaii. I can still feel the sensory experiences pouring out of my head and heart and into sterling. But specifically, I decided that I wanted to swim like a seahorse, gracefully, upon a current of peace. Always.
Allison and I have been discussing a belt and buckle collaboration for some time now. I think the idea first came up when she stayed the night at Plume Gables last summer while on tour with her new album. Recently, while together in Arizona, we decided that the Hippocampus Buckle and Belt was going to be our first attempt.
When I had the buckle finished, I shipped it down to California so Allison could hold it and create a suitable piece of tooled leather, inspired and crafted from the same spirit and mood I was in while making the buckle.
This is what SHE came up with! Oh my gosh. Peeps!
The tooling on this baby is beautiful (as usual). It has depth and is wonderfully nuanced. When I run my fingers over it the texture in the relief is tangible. It’s really quite the design and the perfect partner for the Hippocampus. I mean really. Look at the face of the buckle. There’s a seahorse surrounded by bits and pieces of a coral reef garden that extends onto leather and all around the waist. It’s just a perfect pairing of leather and metal! PERFECT!
The leather belt is specifically sized to fit a 35-37 inch waist OR BELTED BODY REGION. Allison has told me that she can add ONE hole to the design if you’re a bit smaller than these measurements. The buckle can be removed from the belt and attached to other belts that have snaps instead of a riveted closure. Also, I wanted you to know that while photographing this belt around my hips and I had to pinch the back of it to have it snug for these images. More of the coral garden will show when someone who fits this belt is wearing it.
Anyway. Allison and I really really excited about this piece and everything it symbolizes. Most importantly, we feel like it’s emblematic of where we have arrived in our relationship as fellow artists, soul sisters and two individuals who 100% understand the creative process of the other. I love being with her, talking with her and being comforted by her when I’m having a rough day. I loving knowing someone who shares so strongly with me a taste for color, texture and pattern. There’s a shared aesthetic between us. I am inspired by her work and by who she is. It’s my complete delight to call her friend and sister and it’s my joy to support her in her work and life and it makes me gladder still to find myself in partnership with her in this creative work we do, full time.
Allison, thanks for doing this with me! Here’s to many more collaborations in the future and to our friendship, in general. I love you.
on Monday at 9PM MST.
Thank you for considering it
and to the wonderful woman who claims
it as her own:
You’re going to love it, babe!
This piece is a powerful combination of
Allison and I.
When the right woman wears this belt, the foundations of the
earth shall surely shake! HA!!!!! WHEEEEE!!!!!
Have a beautiful BEAUTIFUL day, everybody!
XXXXXXXXX
PLUME (and Allison in spirit)
WOW, it really truly is spectacular! What a fantastic pair of artisan talent you two are – some lucky lady will forever cherish this and know that the collaboration on it was not only from the finger tips, but a journey between two friends.
Beautiful!
xo
Jaime
Love. You. So overwhelmed by how everything turned out: wooooo hooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
Xoxoxo to infinity,
Allison
The perfect pairing! Looove how it turned out!
WOW…when I first saw what you two have created it gave me goosebumps…it is so amazing. I just was lucky enough to purchase an awesome clutch from Allison..her work is out of this world…and I am soooo looking forward to owning a piece made by you too..but you're collaborations…well that will have to be a MUST…Delia
What an amazing example of synergy! Congratulations to you both for simultaneously being fully yourselves and transcending boundaries in this work. Simply magical.
xoxoxo
Phenomenal!!!! It is beautiful to see this magical collaboration and friendship!
I am loving this collaboration and this belt sooo much and I know I am not the only one…that little marine horse of yours with foam all over its bod is simply precious and the leather work…wowser!
I like your shield ring too…. is that just to add to our heart palpitations or what?
xoxoxo
Beautiful silver and leather work! I recently started listening to Allison's music as well (she's amazing!).
It's so lovely to see two of my favorite artists collaborating in such a splendid way.
Oh goshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh this piece is so magical I cannot fathom its gorgeousness wow just WOW. You two ladies are incredible artisans, the talent ohhhhhhhhhh *sigh*
Whoa, whoa whoa – you're *killing* me
Of course – beautiful. Too bad my pregger belly would never fit into that belt. Maybe I could wear it around my neck…
s-w-o-o-n.
(& over the ring too!)
The belt and buckle are beautiful. My 10 year old son even said it was cool.
Tiffany http://liferequiresmorechocolate.blogspot.com
The work is beautiful beyond words but my favourite part is the words…Your words of the bond.
I think a belt is the perfect representation of the kinship you've expressed…
Bravo to you both for both creations…
xo
Andrea
*gasP!!!*
*squeal!!!*
yowzers……..Don't I only wish this beautiful collaboration would gracefully fit around my waist – good luck to the new owner of a quality piece of heirloomness:0)
Gosh!
Thanks for all of these kind and lovely comments and for supporting Allison and I in this collaboration! We love you for it. Truly!
Susan: GUFFAW! Fear not! One day you WILL have a waist again:) xxxxxxxx
just gorgeous, ladies. so blown away by the beauty of the piece, but moreso by the spirit of sisterhood and creative togetherness behind the collaboration. thanks for pouring your hearts out to share your soul with the world.
…without a doubt…a match made in heaven…
my Prairie Woman buckle needs…a whole lot of this… heavenly sun rising at plume gables…THIS…without a doubt!
Oh I LOVE this!!!!! I am completely in love, gorgeous combination!!! I want them 8)
Wow. A positively stunning masterpiece. Somebody is going to be very lucky to own this.
you ladies are amazing. this is just beautiful, such a lovely thing to see, this beautiful piece of artwork AND the understanding and love you have for each other. you know i adore you both.
xoxo