Insides Out Brooch

This brooch is in inspired by a dead squirrel I found in the road. His body was unscathed and his pose gave the illusion he was striking a ballet pose however his face was smooshed and his innards were coming out of his mouth, making the scene, and his body itself, an odd mix of delicate beauty and grotesqueness. With this brooch, the hand-embroidered beads coming out the enamel squirrel's mouth pay homage to this mix, depicting something people tend to turn away from in a shimmery and pretty way that instead draws you closer. 

The sterling silver backing has crocus pierced out to enable a surprise pop of color to peek through, and to symbolize the first new life that grows up through the snow in the otherwise bleak and dead feeling end of winter. 

materials: enamel, watercolor enamel, copper, sterling silver, glass beads, shell, embroidery thread, cotton fabric, stainless steel

length: 3 1/2"

width: 1 1/2"

*while the brooch back is sterling silver, the pin back mechanism itself is stainless steel for strength and rigidity for piercing through clothing and supporting the brooch itself