Monday, November 16, 2009

Nautiloid Extravaganza!

This probably will surprise no one, but I love nautiloids. I mean, come on. A squid that lives in a shell? That may have as many as 90 tentacles? And that moves via jet propulsion? What's not to love about this animal? Oh, and did I mention that they are mysterious? Well, they are. Seldom found at depths of less than 100 meters, they can go as deep as 700 meters. And what are they doing down there? Well, catching fish no doubt, but maybe also consorting with unnamable elder gods. Ok, so maybe that last part just means that I've been listening to that wonderful Literary Lovecraft podcast too much....

But truly, is it any wonder that so many people are inspired by the
elegant symmetry of the chambered nautilus? Gabriel and I even found it a fitting subject for our marriage announcements. He drew this beautiful illustration for the front, and we had them printed up with our wedding date on the back. I think that we had by far the most beautiful announcements I've seen, if I do say so myself!


I was reminded of my fondness for all things nautiloid this evening while I was browsing for holiday gifts. Of course I started looking at things I was interested in instead, so here for your viewing pleasure I offer some of my finds:

This lovely piece was done by Noadi of etsy. She calls it "Arctic
Water Nautilus Necklace" and I must say I adore it.









Next up is Sandra Healy's gorgeous wood carving...










And then I found this in QueenBeeloved's shop , which is apparently made from gourds! If I had $350 I'd buy it right now.


But I guess that wouldn't be right, in light of the fact that I started out with the intention of buying things for other people. Ah well. At least now everyone knows what to buy me for Christmas!

9 comments:

  1. Okay, your posts just keep hitting my obscure interests with deadly accuracy. Yesterday pigeons, today nautiloids. Not as closely related as they appear, as I understand, but you have to admit the extinct ammonite, which in Alberta became the source for the rare gemstone ammolite, which I used to sell in Jasper, which I just visited this weekend and yes, spent some time pricing some fossilized shells with a mind to my similarly geekblooded boyfriend's Christmas present, are very similar.

    All this and capybara, too. You spook me a bit hon, but in the most wonderfully entertaining way!

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  2. Tatty, that IS funny since I used work in a gem and fossil gallery in Santa Fe, NM! I loved unpacking the fossilized ammonites better than almost anything else. For a long time I thought they were direct ancestors of the modern nautilus but they are just distant cousins it seems... As perhaps we are, given the dovetailing of our interests! Cue Twilight Zone music... ;)

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  3. WOW! So interesting :) The necklace one is the cutest! FUN!
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  4. That wood carving is amazing. I too am fascinated by these little critters, mysterious and sort of mythologically surreal.

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  5. Fibonacci spiral and the Golden ratio come to mind whenever I think of these amazing creatures.

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  6. Very awesome! Been thinking of carving a nautilus for a stamp, this gives me the inspiration I needed :)

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    [inkihandmade.etsy.com]

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  7. Very cool, esque! Can't wait to see it!

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  8. I love this post! We've had some very cool nautiloids in our online gift shop; they tend to be popular on our site, but they are soon discontinued by the manufactureres :( It's always a sad day.

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  9. Oh yes! I actually bought one of the little plastic ones from you a bit ago! Those were so cool!

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