Silver Chrysalis Earrings

These earrings are cast from a native Kahukura moth chrysalis.

While in their caterpillar phase, kahukura moths habitually eat stinging nettle leaves.

We had nettles growing in our garden to add to soups and broths, and one year the kahukura were plentiful and ate every leaf, down to the bare stalks.

I found a chrysalis that never hatched, hollow, with a small hole enough for a wasp or other predator insect to consume it through.

I carefully collected the chrysalis and cast it in silver to transform its subtle details into gleaming treasures.