Home / Art

Artisan Carefully Carves Avocado Pits into Fantastical Figures of the Forest

Jan Campbell Uses for Avocado Seeds

At first glance, the work of Jan Campbell looks like it could be carved out of wood. But what you’re seeing is not lumber… it's an avocado pit that the artisan has transformed into handheld totems and pendants. Her handiwork boasts fantastical figurines and guardians of the forest that are created with an impressive attention to intricate detail.

So, how did Campbell start carving this unconventional material? It all began in 2014 while she was making an avocado sandwich for lunch. “I felt reluctant to throw the avocado stone into the bin,” she recalls. “I thought that it was too nice an object to throw away. I decided to hold onto the stone so I could take my time thinking about what to do with it.”

Campbell carried the pit in her coat pocket for a few days. “When I accidentally scraped the surface of the stone with my nail, a beautiful deep orange pigment surfaced. It occurred to me then to try carving it.” After obtaining some lino-cutting tools, she engraved the pit with a “strange little face” and let it dry. The final result was as hard as wood and set her on a new artistic path.

Nowadays, Campbell produces her characters out of the avocado stone as well as bronze. Both are available in her Etsy shop.

Jan Campbell creates her small carved sculptures out of an unconventional material: avocado stone.

Avocado Stone Pendant by Jan Campbell

Jan Campbell Uses for Avocado Seeds

Jan Campbell Uses for Avocado Seeds

Jan Campbell Uses for Avocado Seeds

Uses for Avocado Pit

The surface of the avocado pit has a brilliant orange hue and is soft enough to carve. Once dry, it hardens like wood.

Uses for Avocado Pit

Artistic Uses for Avocado Pit

Uses for Avocado Pit

Avocado Stone Pendant by Jan Campbell

Avocado Stone Pendant by Jan Campbell

Avocado Stone Pendant by Jan Campbell

Jan Campbell Uses for Avocado Seeds

Jan Campbell: Website | Etsy | Instagram

All images via Jan Campbell.

Related Articles:

Traditional Thai Artist Carves Exquisitely Detailed Sculptures Out of Soap

Artist Transforms Food into Striking Sculptures, Eats His Work Afterwards

Incredibly Intricate Sculptures Carved from the Tips of Pencils

16th Century Gothic Boxwood Miniatures With Extremely Detailed Carvings

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content