I Failed to Surf But I Succeeded In Finding the Lifter Shell

Last Sunday the husband and I drove up to Taupo Bay. He was there for the foiling. I was there for a longboard SUP — but failed because I used a large traditional log that was too narrow.

But one thing I succeeded at? Beachcombing for ram's horn squid shells. Taupo Bay is one of my favourite spots for these spiral beauties — especially after a storm.

And did you know that this shell is actually the internal skeleton of the squid — the part that keeps the creature buoyant? It's literally the "lifter."

That got me thinking about mums. Because isn't that exactly what mums do? They're the quiet structure underneath — the thing that keeps everyone afloat, that lifts everyone up.

So I made a necklace. A Mother & Child Shell Story Necklace using the ram's horn squid shell paired with paua. I thought it deserved to exist.

With sandy hands and a salty heart,
Rina