Scrimshaw is storytelling carved in bone, one of New England’s oldest folk arts, born on the decks of whaling ships. Sailors spent long months at sea etching memories into whale teeth and bone: home, the sea, the faces they missed. The lines were so fine they’d vanish until lamp black was rubbed into the grooves, and suddenly the stories came alive. Every line deliberate. Every detail counts.
For this collaboration, we partnered with Brian Kiracofe, Newport’s legendary scrimshander. His hands hold the patience of generations. With just a scribe, a blade, and ink, he cut five exclusive designs, line by line. Up close, it’s mesmerizing: the swell of a wave curling beneath the ship’s sails, the twists of rope on the anchor, the tiny scales of a mermaid’s tail. From across the room, it’s like holding a memory itself.
Back in our factory, we set each charm by hand. Old-world craft meets new hands, history turned into something you can wear every day. These charms first appeared at Folk Fest, just for those who wandered through. Now, for the first time, they’re making their way out into the world — rare pieces of the sea’s long story, ready to be worn.
*Footage sourced from Rhode Island PBS
Please note: We cannot ship this charm to the following states due to regulations: California, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington
