Spotted Salamander on her Oak Leaf Necklace

The spotted salamander is one of those adorable creatures that is very good at hiding. Many people never see even one of them in their lifetime. If you have been lucky enough to meet one, you know how chubby and unique they are! Almost slate black bodies with bright yellow spots, their bright patterns warning predators that they not only are toxic, but taste really, really gross. Their misshapen yellow spots number anywhere from 17 to 78, and dot them down their entire bodies of between 6-7 inches. I especially love that we both have little muffin top stomach rolls.  This one of a kind piece was made from scratch from sterling silver. From melted down silver, shaped, and carved, the little salamander was born. She was given an oak leaf to live on where an ecosystem of its own grows. The pendant itself is about 3 inches across and is part of a hand pieced necklace that measures 20.5 inches long. A heart clasp holds the necklaces safe. On the oak leaf grows clusters of Mycena polygramma