There is a lovely realism to Pine Needle Brooch, which translates pine needles into jewelry without smoothing away the details that make the plant itself interesting. Instead of sculpting nature from memory, Michaud works from the real thing. Botanical specimens are used to create the mold itself, preserving the little twists, veins and imperfections that make each design feel alive. Handcrafted in New York, the finished design feels distinctive while keeping the easy, organic quality of the original plant.