Catrina Gregory used to be an editor.

Nowadays she works with firearm munition.

Lest you jump to any hasty conclusions, an explanation: In addition to her penchant for wordsmithery, Gregory is one heck of a jewelry designer. For her new line, Lover, she hones in on brass, fashioning religious amulets and sculpture statement rings out of the repurposed (read: affordable) metal.

Recently, a pal brought Gregory some patinaed bullet shells and — bang! — inspiration struck. For the pendant necklaces, she polishes the cap ends, coats the shells to protect them from tarnishing, and threads a chain through their bases; for stud earrings, she melts the brass and molds it into replicas of bullet caps for assorted caliber handguns (Colt 45, 38 Special).

The explosive collection’s pacifistic message rings clear: Make accessories, not war.

Available at Hip’tique, 2727 Main Street, between Ashland Avenue and Hill Street, Santa Monica (310-399-6106 or hiptique.com); at etsy.com, $48-$225.

Photo: Courtesy of Catrina Gregory