If you've never considered wearing wood as jewelry, Liv Blavarp's necklaces just might change your mind. Imaginative, unusual, and non-traditional, her art is wearable while being sculpture worthy of a museum display. A legend in Norway, Blavarp has been creating innovative and striking jewelry out of indigenous wood, such as ebony and maple, seen. It's really more like sculpture for the from her homeland for 25 years. Her necklaces—more like collars which she hand-carves — are known for their complex aesthetic qualities and textures. Some pieces are adorned with whale teeth and buffalo horns to enhance their texture and fluidity.

Blavarp's work has been displayed at museums all over the world, and this month her collection comes to Baltimore's 0X0X0 Gallery. "It's the most unusual work I've ever seen. It's really more like sculpture for the body", says Judy Donald, owner and director of the gallery. Some of her pieces will be available for purchase and range from $3,000-5,000. The gallery hosts an opening reception and a signing of Blavarp's new book, Liv Blavarp Jewelry 1984-2001 on February 9 from 6-8 pm. The exhibit runs from February 9 to March 14. 0X0X0 Gallery, 1617 Sulgrave Ave. 410-466-9696.