Washington, D.C. - August 31, 2007

Nature Calls

Imogene Jewelry

Metaphorically speaking, nature runs the gamut from the resoundingly positive (free as a bird, happy as a clam) to the depressingly negative (monkey on your back, albatross around your neck).

Make sure things stay on the lighter side with Imogene jewelry, a Baltimore-based line of sweet and simple pieces inspired by regional flora and fauna.

The little branch earrings, made of sterling silver lightly hammered for texture and oxidized to give a dark appearance, look like something you’d find walking around the park.

The insect wing lariat, with a perforated silver, well, insect wing, that threads through a forged silver teardrop and hangs off a delicate chain, looks light enough to take flight.

The best pieces — silver oval pendants etched with a slight floral pattern featuring cutout silhouettes of a deer, squirrel, fox, or bunny — are charming takes on the cuddly forest creatures.

Everything’s handmade and comes in at under $60.

To which we say: holy cow.

Available online at imogene.org.