COMMISSION WORK FOR BISHOP RICKEL
I designed and made this pectoral cross for the Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia in Western Washington. It has impressions taken from natural objects in Western Washington and the sailing ship design from the diocesan seal is mounted above the impressions.
My husband and I vacationed in Western Washington soon after Bishop Rickel's consecration. We divided our time between the San Juan Islands off the Washington Coast and the Cascade Mountains where I gathered things like ferns, cones, moss, lichens, seashells, seaweed, seedpods, and leaves for the impressions as we hiked the local trails and combed the beaches. Staying in cabin accommodations, I would work on the wax impressions late into each night before another day of hiking and gathering. By the end of the trip I had finally identified stinging nettle and knew I did not want to touch it ever again! Aside from that it was much fun and one of the more exciting projects I have been able to work on.