I Came for Waves and Left With Something Better

7am. Matauri Bay. The husband and I checked the waves. Too punchy. Not today.

So I did the next best thing. Beachcombing. Which honestly? Never disappoints.

I picked up a couple of cockle shells. Held one up to the light. And remembered something I'd been meaning to share.

Do you know where the phrase comes from? "Warm the cockles of your heart."

You've heard it a hundred times. And guess what — cockle shells, when you look at them side-on, are shaped like a heart.

Historians believe the phrase dates back to 17th century Latin — cochleae cordis — the chambers of the heart. Named after the shell. Because someone, a very long time ago, stood on a beach just like this one. And noticed the same thing.

The pieces I'm working on right now are inspired by motherhood. Some are about home. Some are about distance. Some are, quite literally, made from the warm cockles of my heart.

With sandy hands and a salty heart,
Rina