These earrings were made to embody the idea of the niche. This word is layered in meaning and can be used in many ways. It can mean finding one’s identity or a resting place within the vastness of existence, or a term for biological placement. It represents a unique recess or space that is found within a larger context. The earrings are made with two small vessels, the top to symbolize finding one’s niche, represented through a gem set placed in the middle with threads around the body to represent a linear process of discovering a perfect placement.

The second is another circular vessel with layers of walls that come to a black opening which represents the opposite: that the more layers you uncover, the more unknown your placement or niche will become. The two vessels hanging together are meant to give one perspective on the pursuit of their niche and to admire the beauty in the process of discovery as well as having already discovered it.

This pair of earrings are made from copper sheet, silver wire, silver tube, and two cubic zirconia, patinated with liver of sulfur and a nylon thread detail. For the bottom vessel, the dapping block was used to create the base form, holes were sawed from the domes, and then layered on top of each other to make the multidimensional effect. The top form was done using the same technique, but without layering and with drill holes surrounding the main hole. The domes were soldered together as well as the earring post and tube setting, the two forms were then joined with rivets. Finally, the work was patinated, the gem set, and the piece threaded.