I grew up a long way from Southern California, in places where you felt the changing seasons in your bones: the dancing colors of autumn leaves, the stark contrasts of bare branches and snowy fields winter, the sunshine drops of daffodils in the spring, and the layers upon layers upon layers of green through the long summer.
When I first moved to the Los Angeles area, at first all I could see was grey concrete, sun-faded buildings, and the drab, dry yellow hills beyond overly-manicured gardens. It took me years to finally see the beauty in my new home - the subtle olive greens and the glory of the mountains. A turning point was visiting my first superbloom at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. There laid out before me were rolling waves of little golden flowers that dance in the breeze. I’d never before experienced so many wildflowers over such an area that it can be seen from space.
When I first thought about making jewelry to express myself, I assumed I would mostly make planetary-themed items. But what came pouring out was a tribute to the California poppy. I suppose it really should not be a surprise that my first artistic expressions were really an outpouring of love for my own planet. After all, everything that we learn as we explore the solar system informs us how magnificent and unique our home planet is.
Poppy superblooms only occur when the conditions are exactly right – when we get the right amount of rain, the right temperatures, and the wildflowers aren't crowded out by invasive plants. Unfortunately, even with all our rain it doesn't seem that we're going to see a superbloom this year. Until the next one, I can wear my earrings. (And you can too!)
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