SUPPORT FOR CREATING LIVING JEWELRY

Abstract

A jewelry item for supporting a living plant includes a stylized base member that is handmade from a polymer clay to resemble a whimsical article. Structurally, the jewelry item is formed with a lumen (passageway) that extends between two open ends. The living plant is preferably a tillandsia that can live in a soil-free environment, when periodically hydrated.

Claims

1. A charm for holding and displaying a living plant, wherein the plant has a root section and a tip section, the charm comprising: a base member formed with a hollow lumen, wherein the hollow lumen extends through the base member between a first open end and a second open end, and wherein the first open end defines a circular cross-section of the lumen with a diameter D.sub.1, and wherein the second open end defines a circular cross-section of the lumen with a diameter D.sub.2, wherein D.sub.1 is greater than D.sub.2, and further wherein D.sub.1 is sufficiently large to receive the root section of the living plant through the first open end and into a soil-free environment inside the lumen of the base member to hold the plant on the base member for exposure of the tip section of the plant; and an attachment affixed to the base member, wherein the attachment can be engaged with an object for display of the charm with the plant.

2. The charm recited in claim 1 wherein the plant is a tillandsia.

3. The charm recited in claim 1 wherein the lumen of the base member has a textured inner surface surrounding the lumen for facilitating an engagement of the root section of the plant with the base member.

4. The charm recited in claim 1 wherein the lumen of the base member is formed with a decreasing taper from the first open end to the second open end.

5. The charm recited in claim 1 wherein the attachment is a magnet.

6. The charm recited in claim 1 wherein the attachment is a wire for engagement with a hole pierced into a body portion of a person.

7. The charm recited in claim 1 wherein the base member is made of a polymer clay.

8. The charm recited in claim 1 wherein the base member is styled to resemble a whimsical article selected from the group consisting of wildlife creatures, sea life creatures, fruits, vegetables, trees, miniature pots and fantasy characters.

9. A method for making and maintaining a charm for holding and displaying a living plant, wherein the plant has a root section and a tip section, the method comprising the steps of: forming a base member with a hollow lumen, wherein the hollow lumen extends through the base member between a first open end and a second open end, and wherein the first open end defines a circular cross-section of the lumen with a diameter D.sub.1, and wherein the second open end defines a circular cross-section of the lumen with a diameter D.sub.2, wherein D.sub.1 is greater than D.sub.2, and further wherein D.sub.1 is sufficiently large to receive the root section of the living plant through the first open end and into a soil-free environment inside the lumen of the base member to hold the plant on the base member for exposure of the tip section of the plant; and affixing an attachment to the base member, wherein the attachment can be engaged with an object for display of the charm with the plant.

10. The method recited in claim 9 wherein the lumen of the base member has a textured inner surface surrounding the lumen for facilitating an engagement of the root section of the plant with the base member.

11. The method recited in claim 9 wherein the lumen of the base member is formed with a decreasing taper from the first open end to the second open end.

12. The method recited in claim 9 wherein the base member is made of a polymer clay.

13. The method recited in claim 9 wherein the plant is a tillandsia.

14. The method recited in claim 9 wherein the forming step further comprises the step of styling the base member to resemble a whimsical article selected from the group consisting of wildlife creatures, sea life creatures, fruits, vegetable, trees, miniature pots and fantasy characters.

15. The method recited in claim 9 further comprising the steps of: soaking the charm with the plant in water overnight, once a month; and drying the charm with the plant for less than four hours after the soaking step.

16. The method recited in claim 9 wherein the attachment is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a clip, and a wire for engaging the charm with a hole pierced into a body portion of a person.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an earring charm in accordance with the present invention, with the earring having a unique styling, and shown while being worn by a person;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention with an alternate earring styling and with portions broken away for clarity; and

[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the base member of the present invention as seen along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2 with the living plant removed therefrom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Referring initially to FIG. 1 a charm in accordance with the present invention, stylized as an earring, is shown and designated 10. For purposes of the present invention, it is to be appreciated that the charm 10 can be stylized in many different configurations as whimsical articles such as wildlife creatures, sea life creatures, fruits, vegetables, trees, miniature pots and fantasy characters. Moreover, the charms 10 can be used for various items of jewelry such as the earring 10 or as necklaces, bracelets, and broaches. The charms 10 can also be used for utilitarian purposes such as refrigerator magnets.

[0014] As best seen in FIG. 2, a charm 10 for the present invention will include a base member 12, in combination with a living plant 14. As shown the living plant 14 will have a root section 16 and a tip section 18. Preferably, the living plant 14 will be an air-plant, such as a tillandsia, which can live in a soil-free environment, with infrequent, but periodic, hydration. Further, FIG. 2 shows that the charm 10 will have an attachment 20 such as a wire that can be provided for engagement with a hole pierced into a body portion of a user as shown in FIG. 1 (e.g. an earring). Alternate embodiments for the attachment 20 can be any device well known in the pertinent art such as a clip, a screw or a magnetic device.

[0015] In FIG. 3 it will be seen that the base member 12 is formed with a lumen (chamber) 22 that extends between a first open end 24 and a second open end 26. With reference to FIG. 3 it will be appreciated that the first open end 24 will characteristically have a circular cross-section with a diameter D.sub.1. On the other hand, it will also be appreciated that the second open end 26 will have a circular cross-section with a diameter D.sub.2. Typically, D.sub.1 of the first open end 24 will be larger than D.sub.2. As intended for the present invention, D.sub.1 of the first open end 24 will be sufficiently large to receive the root section 16 of living plant 14 into the lumen (chamber) 22. Further, the interior surface of the lumen (chamber) 22 can be textured to facilitate a clinging engagement of the root section 16 with the base member 12. The consequence here is that the tip section 18 of the living plant 14 is left exposed from the first open end 24 of the base member 12 for display on the charm 10.

[0016] For a manufacture of the charm 10, the base member 12 is preferably hand styled and made of a polymer clay. For maintenance of the charm 10 it is an important aspect of the present invention that the entire charm 10, i.e. base member 12 and living plant 14 can be periodically (e.g. once a month) soaked together in water, without separating the living plant 14 from the base member 12.

[0017] While the particular Support for Creating Living Jewelry as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.