Electroformed Copper Orb Weaver Spider Necklace

These special pendants have been handcrafted specially for Ravenna Rocks by Trent Alyse of Kitty Bomb Curios. 

About the artwork

Orb weavers make up a huge family of spiders, with 3122 different species worldwide! They make beautiful, sticky round webs, hence the name "orb."

This particular species is the golden silk orb weaver, also known as the banana spider. She is female, with some females being at least nine times the size of males.

Each spider is carefully plated in copper so that you can see all of the fine details of her hairy legs and pedipalps (the tiny appendages that look like antennae or pincers). Her abdomen has been replaced with a flashy rainbow moonstone with black tourmaline inclusions.

Each spider is ethically sourced, meaning they are never harmed or killed for my work. They are collected after their natural death and carefully preserved. All of my orb weavers come from a hobbyist breeder who is kind enough to collect them after living out their full lives. I do not buy from "insect farms" or other questionable sources

This piece measures just over 3 inches in length and comes on a 20-inch antiqued copper chain. 

About the artist

Trent Alyse is a Tampa-based artist who gives new life to ethically sourced natural artifacts including bones, stones and exoskeletons via an array of processes, from copper electroforming to taxidermy.

As a student, Trent was heavily influenced by the surrealist paintings of Rene Magritte, and his thoughtful juxtaposition of seemingly incongruous objects. She graduated from FSU in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in studio art, concentrating in sculpture.

Trent’s teenaged fascination with the inherent beauty of found animal bones sparked an ever-evolving journey of creation. Her complex, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces highlight and celebrate nature’s exquisite artistry and her passion for giving creatures a second life extends to the rehabilitation of antique taxidermy pieces. She collects old and broken pieces and transforms them into enchanting crystallized works.

Trent’s work has been featured in Venom Magazine, Creative Loafing, and Buzzfeed, and sold at many local markets and galleries.