Taxidermy Jewelry

I love jewelry from New Zealand designer, Karen Walker, but I love the way taxidermy animals are used to display her products even more. They are used both in store and in a series of print adverts. The taxidermy element is a good reflection of the work of Katie Walker whose beautiful yet quirky and somewhat creepy approach looks amazing.

It really, really works which is surprising on paper. If you were simply to say that dead sardines could sell necklaces, or that a crayfish in a top hat could sell rings, people would think you're mad.

China animals are also used too, but for me it is the taxidermy which provides the really striking images, an approach Katie also brings into the store.

These images are to promote the line for Swanndri, which "is inspired by a weekend away at the lake. imagery of smooth, reflective water, lake houses, pumice, reeds, overhanging trees, swans, kayaks and wooden lake boats have been drawn on to create the design and feel of the range," she says.

I am an alive, not dead, animal fan, so it does pain me that increasingly taxidermy seems to be gaining popularity. It would make me so much happier if I knew that the taxidermy animals were ‘old’ or if they had a happy life, but I know this a bit extreme. I will just try to enjoy these images and not feel too bad about saying they look amazing.