Eido is the Greek goddess of Knowing. Her name also means Shapely. She is the goddess of Intelligence.

Eido was the daughter of the sea nymph Psamathe and the ancient sea god Proteus, who could change his shape to any creature who lived in the sea.

"When she grew up and was ripe for marriage, they called her Thenoe, for she had divine knowledge of all things present and to come--a gift inherited from her grandfather Nereus." (from Euripides).

This is a small pin made from a found object (driftwood found on one of my morning beach walks), Mediterranean coral, freshwater pearl, crab shell (also found), stingray, rhinestones, ink and acrylic, with a silver metal pin finding. It is one of a kind.

This piece engages my imagination past, present, and future. Jewelry is an intimate art form, and resonates its meaning in primal ways. By profession, I am a gemologist and jewelry historian, immersed for many years in the world of diamonds, gold, and other precious materials. My use of found objects, inexpensive materials, so-called costume elements, calls into question what is considered "precious".

Being a late bloomer, I attended a tiny liberal arts college in my 30s that emphasized the classics. Over a period of six years, I sailed the teeming ocean waters with Odysseus. I learned to read ancient Greek...a little. I became acquainted with Ovid, Euripides, Virgil...and was deeply enchanted. These ancient stories have stuck with me, even though I am not particularly conscious of them when I create a piece like this one.

A year ago I moved from the desert to a new home by the ocean, in an act that seemed incomprehensible to some, very intelligent to others. I changed my life's shape like a true daughter of Proteus.