Marine Life in Metal: The Warmth of Human Hands, the Passion for the Ocean

The blue of the ocean gives life a slower, more deliberate rhythm. Marine life inspires far more than just dishes on a dinner table — it sparks creativity in countless people. Around the Editor, many divers have begun channeling their creative vision into a range of artisan products. In Taiwan, such products tend to fall into a niche market, which often means the passion alone can't pay the bills. Many pursue these dreams as a side venture, and we hope that through our words, we can bring more visibility to the lives transformed by the sea.

MEoW Mi。秒瞇

MEoW Mi。秒瞇 is a metalsmithing brand founded solo by a young woman named Neko. She began exploring metalsmithing in 2016 through a professional training program offered by the Workforce Development Agency, building a solid technical foundation. In 2017, she started designing and selling her own pieces. Initially, she had planned to create a series of cat-themed works, but she struggled to capture the perfect silhouette she had in mind. Then, in 2018, after discovering scuba diving, she began experimenting with marine life designs — and to her surprise, they were warmly received within her circle of friends. From that point on, she shifted her focus entirely to a series centered on marine life.

An Encounter with the Ocean

Having been fascinated by biology since childhood, she chose to study Aquaculture at the National Taiwan Ocean University. The program gave her frequent opportunities to visit the coast and observe marine life up close, and over four years she accumulated a wealth of knowledge about ocean creatures. At the time, she had no idea that one day she would bring that fascination to life through metalsmithing.

A Slash-Career Life of Constant Try and Error

After graduating, she spent three years as a cabin crew member on Taiwan High Speed Rail. But feeling stalled in terms of salary and personal goals, she decided to go on a working holiday in Australia to find herself. Upon returning to Taiwan in 2015, she happened to try an introductory metalsmithing class — and the process of hammering and crafting gave her a glimpse of a world where she could build her own small universe. She then enrolled in a comprehensive vocational training program that covered sketching, design, and interviews, gradually building up her metalsmithing fundamentals.

Creating Marine Life in Metal

Perhaps because of her deep love for biology, she began her creative journey experimenting with unusual subjects — DNA strands, embryos, bacteriophages. But when she turned to marine life, something clicked, and she found her true creative core. Now working days as a research assistant at a hospital, she pours her creative energy into brass and sterling silver during evenings and weekends.

In her approach to design, she prefers to present creatures as they naturally are, rather than over-stylizing them. She wants her hands to convey the most natural form of marine life — just as we quietly observe them underwater.

Stage One: Wax Carving

At the start of any new piece, the idea in her head must first be sketched out on paper, then gradually sculpted into a three-dimensional form through wax carving — the most painstaking step in the entire metalsmithing process. For custom orders, this involves countless rounds of paper sketches and wax carvings back and forth until the design is just right.

Stage Two: Casting

Once the wax carving is finalized, it is sent to a foundry for casting. For pieces intended for larger production runs, a rubber mold is made so the form can be cast repeatedly.

Stage Three: Finishing

Fresh castings always come with sprues and minor imperfections that must be cleaned up using small hand tools. Pieces can be finished with either a polished or matte surface, and any additional surface treatments are carried out at this stage.

From concept to finished product, a piece typically takes around 7 working days — not including the initial design discussions and wax carving stage. Among her custom commissions, engagement rings hold a special place. In addition to brass and sterling silver, she can incorporate gemstones and other elements based on the client's wishes, making each design even more unique.

Silver Jewelry Care Tips

She also shared some tips on caring for sterling silver jewelry. Pure silver pieces should be worn regularly, as the natural oils on human skin react with the silver to keep it lustrous — left unworn for too long, silver will tarnish and turn black. When not being worn, pieces should be stored in a zip-lock bag to minimize prolonged exposure to air. It's also important to remember not to wear sterling silver when soaking in hot springs.

If your silver jewelry does turn black and you can't restore it on your own, just send it back to MEoW Mi。秒瞇 for a professional polish — you'll get back a piece that looks almost brand new!

Do you love the design style of MEoW Mi。秒瞇? Come pick out a ready-made piece or order a custom marine creature that's uniquely yours! Shop here: MEoW Mi。秒瞇 (click me!)