+ info and policies +

about me • The Offerings • Selecting a Piece • Lost Wax Casting • Jewelry Care • Policies • Payment • Shipping

about me

I am a multidisciplinary artist and self-taught jeweler, born and raised in New Orleans. After many years in New York City as a practicing artist and musician, I moved to the Catskill Mountains where I was called to new ways of making. I began electroforming in 2023, preserving grown and foraged plants, bones, roots, and other remains before finding my creative home in lost wax casting in early 2024. My work weaves together numerous threads of talismanic magic, witchcraft, astrology, conjure, and herbalism, all in conversation with the land, its histories, and its dead. More of my work can be found at vanessairena.com.

The Offerings

Each piece offered by Sword + Scythe is handcrafted through the ancient art of lost wax casting, guided by spirit, and inspired by history, folklore, magic, and myth. All materia, talismanic elections, and ritual preparations are personally selected with guidance from teachers, primary magical texts, and my own experience, divination, and spirit work. Each release is small batch and limited edition, bound to its own moment in time. All works are consecrated as part of their creation.

Selecting a Piece

When deciding if a piece is meant for you, I advise trusting your intuition, and when in doubt, performing divination. I’m available to answer questions and offer guidance when asked, but ultimately I defer to your authority within your own practice. I provide as much information as I can about each piece’s creation and purpose, maintaining secrecy when bound by oath or pact, so that you may choose with clarity and discernment.

Lost Wax Casting

Lost wax casting is an ancient technique dating back to approximately 4500 BC, in which objects sculpted in wax are cast into solid metal. A mold is built around a sacrificial wax model, which is destroyed by heat, creating a cavity for molten metal to flow in. All work in the shop is hand-sculpted using wax and natural or found objects, then cast into solid .925 sterling silver or bronze. Each piece is individually handmade using natural stones, so slight variations in shape, color, and minor imperfections are natural.

Jewelry Care

It is recommended that you remove your piece before sleeping, bathing, swimming, cleaning, or exercising. Do not submerge in water for extended periods. Allow perfumes, lotions, and oils to fully dry before wearing. When not in use, store in a dry, safe place such as a pouch or box. To clean, gently polish with a soft cloth like the one included with your order.

A note on bronze: Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin and will naturally develop a patina over time. This can be polished away with a soft cloth or metal polish to restore the original color. Because of its copper content, bronze may cause a green tint on the skin in some wearers. This is a harmless reaction influenced by individual body chemistry and washes off easily with soap and water.

Policies

Please note that I am a small one-person operation and not a corporation. Thank you for respecting these policies in consideration of my time and work.

All items offered by Sword + Scythe are sold as curios only. They are not intended to treat or cure, nor is any outcome guaranteed.
All orders are first come, first served. Releases are shared with the mailing list first before being offered publicly. I’m unable to reserve items in advance.
All designs, photos, text, and content on this site are the intellectual property of Sword + Scythe and may not be copied, reproduced, or used without permission.
Sword + Scythe reserves the right to refuse patronage and refund any customer at its discretion.
All sales are final. There are no returns, cancellations, or refunds after a purchase has been made.

Payment

Payment is accepted via all major credit cards, Paypal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Pay over time options are available through Paypal Pay Later.

Shipping

Shipping is available to the following countries: USA, USMOI, Puerto Rico, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on destination, weight, and carrier. USPS and UPS options are available.
All orders are shipped within 7–10 business days unless otherwise stated. You will receive tracking information once your package has shipped.
Sword + Scythe is not responsible for packages once they are in transit. If your order is lost, damaged, or delayed in shipping, I will do my best to assist, but it is the customer’s responsibility to resolve any issues directly with the carrier.
Customers are responsible for any import taxes or duties. Some international shipments may require pickup from a local post office or customs facility.
If a package is returned for any reason, including non-retrieval, incorrect address, or refusal, the customer is responsible for a reshipment fee, which can be purchased here.

Please review these policies carefully. By placing an order, you agree to the terms and conditions outlined.