dressy dresses

Hand-carved from eucalyptus wood, the thin petals of a yellow rose decorate a panel of natural horn. Brazilian artisan Claudia Castelao designs and crafts this stunning pendant necklace, which adorns the neck on multiple strands of natural buriti palm fiber, accented with metal beads.

Working with shavings of eucalyptus wood, Brazilian artisan Claudia Castelao diligently handcrafts two lovely red roses in this pair of dangle earrings. Each rose is displayed against a circle of natural horn, dangling from teardrops of 18k gold plated metal. Says the artisan, "I want to create a piece that has a regional touch and a cultural identity of the region where I live, Mato Grosso do Sul."

Framed against circles of natural horn, two elegant rose flowers are diligently crafted by hand, their intricate petals formed by eucalyptus wood shavings. Brazilian artisan Claudia Castelao designs this striking accessory, which dangles from 18k gold plated metal. Says the artisan, "I want to create a piece that has a regional touch and a cultural identity of the region where I live, Mato Grosso do Sul."

Claudia Castelao created a line of jewelry around wooden roses inspired by the popular Brazilian legend of the flower of the swamp or flor pantaneira, about a man who finds a blossom so beautiful for his beloved that it was believed it was shaped by the water flow. "I thought of developing products that had cultural identity and appeal for the people of Mato Grosso do Sul, the region where I live," she says. Part of this line is this dreamy pendant necklace filled with beauty, refinement and glamour. It features a rose dyed and carved by hand from shavings of recycled eucalyptus wood over a horn disc, a cord made from several strands of buriti palm fiber and a metallic bail, chain extender and clasp closure.