Diane Smith

This local designer uses antique Japanese Netsuke in her unique and handcrafted pieces. The beads and gems are collected from around the world, and a substantial portion of the proceeds go to Southwest Animal Life.

Each piece is a unique and one of a kind statement piece.

Prices range from $475-$1200

In Japanese culture, Netsuke were invented out of the necessity of preventing items that were hung on the person and carried, from being lost or stolen. People would hang items from their obi (sash) with a string and attach a netsuke to the other end of the string as a fastener. Materials such as animal bones, including ivory and bull horns, ceramic and metals were used to make netsuke and they were finely sculptured by Japanese craftspersons.