About

Erin is the creator and owner of Scallop Design Co., affectionately named after her dog Scallop. Born and raised in San Diego, CA, Erin moved to UC Santa Barbara to pursue marine science and ended up staying for her master’s and PhD. Erin worked in French Polynesia for 10 years and her area of expertise is coral bleaching. Erin and Scallop moved to DC in 2023 for Erin to join NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where she is a Marine Scientist.

Committed to science education, sustainability, and conservation, Erin’s unique designs tell a story while showcasing the beauty of the ocean. The materials for her jewelry are sourced through a combination of upcycling materials from second hand craft stores, purchasing sustainably produced pearls from family-owned aquaculture farms, and occasionally purchasing vintage material from other small businesses. Erin’s graphic designs feature marine life ranging from corals to whale sharks, and the ecology and conservation status (endangered or threatened) of each species is described on the scallopdesign.co website. What started as an east coast winter hobby soon became much more ♡

Here are some photos that inspire her: