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Nutty jewelry

Middlebury, Vermont - February 25, 2011

One of the things that make artists artists is the way they can take stuff you'd never pay much attention to and do something completely new with it. That's what Jodi Farnsworth prides herself on-- in her small home business.

"Almost everyone would say, 'What is that? What a strange little thing!'" Farnsworth said. "No one's ever done it before. And I know this because I've searched!"

She's a jewelry designer, but her supplies aren't beads. "They're all unique," she said.

They're the result of the hard work of her only employees-- unpaid workers-- squirrels.

"They are a nuisance-- I agree. But they're cute, too!" she said.

Farnsworth hikes in the fall and gathers hickory nuts the animals chew on to get at the fruit inside. The leftovers are gnarled hunks of nut shell that the designer treats as little sculptures for pendants or earrings.

"It's almost like a nature-made bead," Farnsworth said.

The Middlebury mom taught herself jewelry making. She does craft shows and sells her work online. Customers who are nature lovers or active in animal rescue groups seem most interested. Farnsworth figures she's moved about 150 pieces in the past few years.

"Right now, it's more for love than anything," she said.

This work is a lot quieter than her other job. She's also an aircraft mechanic, taking care of the F-16s and other equipment for the Vermont Air National Guard.

"They're completely opposite sides of the spectrum," she said.

But there is crossover; the big gear has helped her understand the flexibility of metal that she uses in jewelry.

"It actually helped my fine motor skills," she said.

Farnsworth admits some customers and even her fellow guard members have picked on her creations or think it's gross she's handling what rodents have gnawed on.

"They always make fun of my stuff," she said. "But I'll say, 'You'll see! I'll have the last laugh!'"

So she plans to keep at this to keep growing her hobby business and turning nature into something more: Nutty jewelry that's "Made in Vermont."

"This is quintessential Vermont!" Farnsworth said.

Farnsworth also makes jewelry from grape vines. Most of her pieces cost around $25-$30. Click here for more.

Jack Thurston - WCAX News - Made in Vermont