Spalted wood is actually happens when the wood has begun to decay. If the wood is harvested and dried at the right time, its strength is not compromised but its coloring and patterning are exquisite. To my mind, especially as I help take care of elderly parents and have a greater awareness of my own mortality and aging process, I find myself drawn more and more to spalted woods. In a culture that seems to fetishize youth and in an industrialized economy that emphasizes uniformity in production, I think spalted wood makes a strong statement: that age, decline, and imperfection, far from being things from which we avert our gaze, can actually be stunningly beautiful. These earrings are made from maple sourced from our property. They are shaped, sanded, and assembled all by hand, with a hand-rubbed, non-toxic walnut oil finish and hypoallergenic fishhook hardware. If you prefer a smaller or larger size, please email us at [email protected], and we'll custom make a pair for you. Sizes: Medium: 1 5/8" long plus hardware Large: 1 7/8" long plus hardware
