Showcasing a few newly finished bottle stoppers. Cottonwood is so fun to use as it has so many nooks and crannies that show up while I am turning. I am excited to use some of the materials I purchased at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show! 
This piece is made of Cottonwood with Turquoise. I was thrilled to find a use for the “Eye of St. Lucia” or “Shiva’s Eye:”. The center “eye” is not from the Desert Southwest but I find the Fibonacci spiral found in nature so fascinating!
I also found fossils from Madagascar and couldn’t wait to put them to use. The fossils are set in Cottonwood and surrounded by turquoise. (Yes they are real fossils and real turquoise).
They are coated and sealed, washable but not dishwasher safe. 
The Cottonwood is gathered from downed trees. Reclaimed from the desert floor,cleaned, dried and turned on a lathe. We hike dry riverbeds which turn into flash floods with the summer rain. Who knows what treasures lie in wait out there. 