Larimer Buck Skull

This magnificent seven-point buck was hunted in Craig, Colorado by a friend and neighbor. That season, he provided nourishment for my friend’s family, and for years afterward his skull hung quietly in a barn—weathered by time, holding memory. Eventually, it was offered to me for art, and I accepted with deep respect for the life it represents.

After carefully cleaning the skull, a pristine surface emerged, inviting a new exploration. This piece became my second skull using laterally oriented beadwork, this time incorporating more semi-precious stones and much smaller beads. The scale made the process technically demanding, but it also became a meditative practice—slow, focused, and deeply rewarding.

Larimar set in sterling silver anchors this work, paired with black pietersite, pewter, and glass seed beads. The larimar stones were originally part of a pendant I purchased many years ago in Virgin Gorda, and I was drawn to give them new life here. Found only in the Dominican Republic, larimar is often called the Atlantis or Dolphin Stone, symbolizing peace, tranquility, and clear communication. Its soft blues embody the calming energies of sea and sky, offering emotional balance and a sense of ease.

Black pietersite, a rare and powerful stone sometimes known as the Tempest Stone, brings a contrasting energy. Deep and dynamic, it is associated with transformation, inner strength, and protection—helping to release what no longer serves and to move forward with courage and clarity.

I love the dialogue between these stones: the serenity of larimar alongside the intensity of black pietersite. The field of tiny black seed beads weaves them together, allowing a mesmerizing pattern to emerge—one that feels both grounded and alive.

As with every skull I work with, this piece is created in honor of the animal’s life.

The skull may be displayed on the provided stand or hung on a wall.

Currently on display at The Alley Gallery and Art Studios in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.