“As I walk along the edge of a dirt road, cold air seeps through my clothing, traveling the length of my body. With eyes wide, I stay attuned to my surroundings: pressed grass, thawing puddles, and layers of sediment beneath my feet. I imagine what lies below the surface, down to the earth’s core.

Circling the yard, my mind begins to drift. I close my eyes and feel the wind brush across my skin. The air is damp and sweet, scented with flowers and wet earth; I breathe it in deeply. In that moment, I feel grounded in the rhythm of early spring.

On a summer walk, I notice fallen pine needles beside green shoots, a subtle reminder that decay and renewal coexist. These quiet encounters affirm that I am alive and part of the natural cycles unfolding around me.

Walking encourages me to pause, observe, and absorb the natural world. My practice is rooted in experimentation, contemplation, and a commitment to slow, deliberate processes that reflect these everyday experiences. The jewelry and objects I create are just one part of a broader, more holistic practice—one of observing, making, and unmaking.” - Jolynn Santiago