THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

The lionfish (a.k.a. zebrafish) is an incredibly invasive species all over the Caribbean. With no predators, these "vacuums of the sea" eat up native species and upset the biodiversity needed for a healthy ecosystem. This attractive fish is native to ...

How LionFish Jewelry Helps Save the Ocean | LaGarzaBermuda Jewelry  More Recent Articles How LionFish Jewelry Helps Save the Ocean | LaGarzaBermuda Jewelry The lionfish (a.k.a. zebrafish) is an incredibly invasive species all over the Caribbean. With no predators, these "vacuums of the sea" eat up native species and upset the biodiversity needed for a healthy ecosystem.  This attractive fish is native to the Indo-Pacific and was probably released in the 1980's into the Florida coast by an aquarium hobbyist. According to National Geographic, this species has "the ability to reproduce every four days, a lionfish and its offspring can produce 8.1 quintillion eggs in just three months." Incredible and devastating. Lionfish  (Pterois volitans) Picture source One designer, Tara Cassidy of La Garza Bermuda, makes beautiful jewelry from the spines and fins of lionfish caught around Bermuda where she lives. By doing so, she not only brings awareness to invasive species but also encourages local fishermen to go after this species.  5% of the sales of her lionfish jewelry is "donated toward efforts to find a long term solution for lionfish population control". She explained her interest in her unique nature inspired designs, "I am an Environmental Designer, specializing in Biomimetics and designing the way we exist after systems in nature. Due to this background, I ultimately strive for sustainable alternatives in my designs and seek to draw the natural world to our immediate attention." The non-venomous lionfish fins are dehydrated before being set in a bio-resin or dipped into said resin a number of times.  The venomous spines of lionfish are rendered harmless before use. I wondered what inspired her shop name.  Tara explained, "In 1505 Juan de Bermúdez was captain of the Spanish flagship "La Garza" when he discovered Bermuda out in the lonely Atlantic. "La Garza" or "La Garça" translates into "The Heron". I chose this name due to its rich history and because I consider the Heron to be my spirit animal, reminding me to stand calm but alert; to walk and take flight with grace; to cement my connection and responsibility to the environment and the well being of our life cycle." She is indeed an innovative artisan who truly appreciates nature.   Before You Go: Hubert Duprat'sBejeweled Caddisfly Art Mexico's Deadly Giant Crystal Cave Microbiology Inspired Wire Jewelry ______________________________ Original Post by THE BEADING GEM Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips  -Jewelry Business Tips           Share Your Comment! Share Your Comment! Related Posts Floral Resin and Wire Jewelry by Margarita Zimina Iridescent Fairy Wings and Talisman Jewelry by Sihaya Designs Wire Wrapped Fleur-de-lis Jewelry Design Tutorial   • Email to a friend • View comments • Track comments •   More Recent Articles Winners of Mill Lane Studio's 12 Days of Christmas Earrings Books Yoola Design's $59 Wire Crochet Ring Kit Giveaway Wire Wrapped Fleur-de-lis Jewelry Design Tutorial Stenciled Polymer Clay Tube Tutorial | Focals for Cord, Kumihimo, Beaded Tubes and Wire work No Bake Rustic Christmas Tree Resin Clay Pendants Tutorial Missing Video Link for the Beaded Vase of Flowers Tutorial! Easy Beaded Vase of Flowers Pendant Tutorial     Contact Me • Past Issues • Join This List • Unsubscribe     Click here to safely unsubscribe from "The Beading Gem's Journal." Click here to view mailing archives, here to change your preferences, or here to subscribe • Privacy Email subscriptions powered by FeedBlitz, LLC, 365 Boston Post Rd, Suite 123, Sudbury, MA 01776, USA.