Thursday Favorites: My Outdoor Workshop

Once a year we make it up to the Northern part of the Adirondacks, near the Canadian border. It is time to forget about the world, my day job, and the demands in my life. I get to sit on the screened-in porch, bead and listen to the wind and birds. 

Occasionally I get a burst of energy and get out on the lake for a paddle in the kayak, but mostly I get to bead. I love my time in the mountains.

I brought a stash of books with me; inclusive of my favorite bead books. I’ve been revisiting a few patterns that I’ve had book marked for some time. I thought I finally try out some bead stitches I’ve been meaning to practice.

This pretty little pattern is one I’ve looked at for a while, but just never got around to giving it a try. It is from a book that I LOVE called Beaded Allure by Kelly Wiese. There are some amazing beading projects in this book, including this one.

I recently pulled apart several strands of glass pearls my mother gave me a few years ago that she never wore. I hesitate to call them 'antique' just yet. But they are close enough. I wanted something that was sort of 'dressed up-Bohemian' so I used yellow seed beads and a mix of glass pearl sizes. I haven't yet decided how I want to finish the closure as the patterns calls for using a bead, but with the weight of this pattern I doubt that would hold. So I'll sift through my buttons once I'm back home, and perhaps some pearl buttons will do the trick.

Once I've finished up this pattern, I'll re-post it complete with a few modeling shots from my favorite model. My daughter.

Thursday Favorites Blog Hop: The Next Generation

Are you mentoring anyone? I was asked that the other day by a friend who was lamenting that we don't seem to teach our children how to make things from scratch or teach them how to sew, or craft, or knit like our moms and grandmothers did. 

I noticed my daughter kept hanging around the bead table asking if she could help? Usually the answer was "sure can you grab that thread for me?" or "would you mind sorting these beads for me?" But this question from my friend was bothering me. And I decided it was time to do something about it. I started a simple beaded peyote bracelet and showed my daughter what I was doing and spilled the beads in front of her .. then let her at it.


Look at the concentration on her face. It might take a few times to get that stitch straight, but look at her go. The next beading generation? 

Then the funny thing was that within a day's time I saw the exact same post on my friend Thea's blog. Thea over at BabyCocktails is a popular knitter, and someone I've known for a long time. Her post was exactly what was going on in my house. She has the next generation knitter going to town over there! It is a cute story; if you have time, stop by and read the mystery note left for Mom on her table.

So for this week's Thursday Favorites feature, I'm featuring two of my favorite next generation artists. Keep on beading and knitting girls! 

BTW: My Own Room

Usually I show what project I'm working on (up close) on Bead Table Wednesdays. But the project on the table (in this shot) is the one I revealed on Sunday; the turquoise ribbon choker. So since you've already seen that, I thought I'd 'pan out' and show you my table and my newly re-claimed room. Well it isn't an entire room, but a nice big corner of it. 


This room has been dedicated to the kids for years, but now that they are outgrowing all the dolls, blocks, dress up clothes, etc ... I was able to clean it out. I managed to organize a great, dedicated space to focus on my beading projects. Complete with a few closets to store all the tins, tools and photography equipment. 


I've only had this space for about 2 weeks now, but I totally love it. I can lay out my projects and beads and still have space to work. And I'm no longer forever digging through piles of unorganized beading stuff. And I have room for friends ... maybe I'll have to start a beading group?

The Final Piece: Turquoise

I lost track of how many times I pulled this one apart. And in the end simplicity won. I had lots of other beads on this ribbon choker. Large turquoise heshi beads, silver, jasper .. but it was just too heavy and threw the whole thing off. So one, by one .. I pulled the strands apart and worked my way back to even weight beads. It is just what made sense, and you gotta listen to the beads. 


So to finish this turquoise project, this necklace completes the set for my friend. She asked for earrings, bracelet and necklace. She picked the boho bracelet with the charm (I knew she would) and the elegant long silver earrings (check, and check). This was made for her son's girlfriend as her birthday is coming up next week. I hope she likes the set. 

Time to Stitch Blog Hop: My Blue Peyote

It's time to reveal our projects for the Time to Stitch blog hop. Christine from One Kiss Creations and Theresa from Therese's Treasures are hosting this hop and have asked that we focus our beading to one of two stitches: peyote and herringbone. 


I started off with a pattern that I've been wanting to try from the first minute I saw it. It's called Dragon Dance by Csilla Csirmz from the Beadwork May 2012 issue. It is a combination of both peyote and herringbone where you flip the pattern every inch or so to create a wave. I started over several times, and finally completed the 6 waves to the pattern, but I think my tension on this is off and I will likely start again. Christine asked that we post projects even if not yet complete. I don't see it as a failure, but as a start to a stitch that I hope to improve on with each try. I have been wanting to try herringbone for some time, and this is my first attempt. So thank you Christine and Therese for pushing me to finally do this!  So, Instead of getting frustrated and rushing to try the bracelet again, I decided to switch over to quick, simple peyote bracelet. 


Peyote I have tried several times, and find fun. I just picked up these Miyuki seed beads the other day because I just love the color. I've been on a bit of a turquoise jag of late, and this packet was tossed in the basket on one of those trips in search of just the right turquoise combination. These did not end up in any of the turquoise pieces, but they took center stage for this bracelet. I added a silver toggle with some rustic swirls that bring a Mediterranean finish to this pretty sea blue. 


I did double check my stitch in one of my favorite books Teach Yourself Visually Beadwork, which is a great reference for many of the basic stitches. Just in case you're in search of a good reference book. 


And now it is time to check out all my fellow bead bloggers and their projects! 

Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller

Katherine Gale

Emma Andrews

Karin Slaton

Kim Bender

Lola Surwillo

Amy Severino

Bobbie Rafferty

Sally Russick

Tanya Goodwin

Paula Kramer

Sarah

Karen Williams

Shannon Hicks

Andra Weber

Beth

DW

Marla Gibson

Lisa Stukel
Mandy Duffy
Cynthia Machata (You are Here)
Shirley Moore

Inspiration Board: Turquoise

My last couple of blog entries have been about creating a jewelry turquoise series. I have already created a couple of bracelets, several pair of earrings which I'm revealing today. They range from a rustic Boho rough cut stone, to a more elegant silver cone pair to one of my favorite pearl drop styles. I still have a few more on the table that are in need of inspiration, and so I set it aside for now and went surfing. 

Sometimes I just need to look at pictures, and lately I've been turning to Pinterest to wash me over with color and style. This is the Inspiration Board I created from my Island Life board (you'll find my button on the right if you want to follow me and see more), or if you prefer to pin your own you'll find these pictures from a great collection I found on tumblr.


I still have more to come in my turquoise quest. There will be a few more pairs of earrings and a necklace. The necklace is pinned in place on the beading table for now. I've changed out the beads at least 3 times, but I think I finally have a pattern I like. So after a lovely day in this beautiful sunshine I'm heading back to the beading table to power through completing it. I'll show you the final version later in the week. So check back and let me know what you think.

BTW: Herringbone AND Peyote

Ok ladies, say a prayer for me. I have joined the upcoming Time to Stitch blog hop and I am attempting herringbone for the first time. And not only herringbone but combining that with peyote AND flipping the pattern back and forth to create waves. Seriously I must have lost my mind picking this pattern! I've started over a few times, but I am pushing myself to complete this project. So what is currently on my beading table this week is a blue wave bracelet that is nearly complete.


Yes, yes I know Bead Table Wednesday is supposed to be posted on a Wednesday. But I was so busy beading I never got to the post.  So here is a peak at the table as of yesterday. Maybe by next Wednesday I'll be able to post the final picture on Flickr. *Fingers crossed*

Thursday Favorites Blog Hop: Thankful While in India

I've recently joined an on-going weekly blog hop called Thursday Favorite Things over at Katherine's Corner blog. It is focused to either writing about your favorite things or sharing a link to a favorite post.  Still getting the hang of this hop, but here goes.  
I wrote last December about traveling with my Mother-in-Law through India (click here to read the story). It is a true story, and a funny one at that. It is meant to be a series of the top 10 things to be thankful for while in India.  I haven't written them all yet, but will endeavor to complete the series by year's end.  If you've never been to India, I do recommend seeing it at least once in your life. But understand that India is not exactly a vacation, but more of an adventure. Enjoy!

Shop Talk: What Exactly is Boho?

I took the advice of several of you and added both a charm and a little bit of silver chain. This is the final version of the Boho Southwestern bracelet. I also made a second version with contrasting black jasper in a twist pattern and a longer slide clasp. I couldn't decide if this second bracelet was really Boho, and so I decided to check out the definition of Boho.











Got to love Wikipedia. I always get a lengthy explanation to my questions. The search for Boho led me to a definition of Bohemian and "people who live unconventional, usually artistic lives." Hmm, well that could mean a lot of things. Wikipedia calls the fashion trend inspired by Bohemian lifestyles as 'Boho Chic' where "ruffly floral skirts are worn in hopes of looking bohemian or nomadic." The definition also says that it is inspired from gypsy girls who are "sexy precisely because they do not give a hoot for fashion." I love this last part. 


I thought I'd cross reference this definition with one from the Urban Dictionary. Here they call it vintage. I find the use of vintage all over the map, which I wrote about a few blogs back. This definition says Boho Chic combines "colorful, detailed, folk-inspired pieces with simple, modern pieces." They give an example of "wearing a beaded peasant dress with a white tanktop." A popular look in my part of the world. They claim it was started by "Sienna Miller in 2005 who wore bohemian-style clothing to a movie premiere in London." My favorite part of this definition is that they claim the style will be dead by 2007. Really? It's dead?


What do you think .... is Boho dead?

Shop Talk: Turquoise Quest

The turquoise beads that I've been pushing around my table are starting to take shape. This first installment is a twist bracelet with a slide clasp. The stones range from blues to greens in hue, and I mixed in a little dyed coral in a sky blue to balance it on the bluer side. I am not entirely happy with this one. It needs something ... perhaps a charm? 


I am actually in search of more contrast with the beads. So back to the bead store (I know --- can you believe it --- an excuse to shop) to pick up even more turquoise rounds and a contrasting black jasper. 


Fairly certain I will have several extra pieces of turquoise jewelry ending up on my Etsy site given the amount of turquoise I now have sitting in front of me. I'm hoping I have a few turquoise lovers out there.


I'll be back with the next installment and a revised bracelet pattern, along with a necklace and of course earrings. I'm probably going to have to create several pairs of earrings as I can't decide if I should go Southwestern, Boho, or use a touch of elegance with some pearls. Most likely I'll do all three and ask your advice! So check back ... and I'll have more for you to ponder with me in my turquoise quest.

Blog Hop: Linky

Quick Announcement: if you're looking to meet new bloggers out there, you might want to join this Linky Hop. You can find out the details over at New End Studio or contact Katherine at Katherine's Corner. Hope to see you there!

Beader's Block: Holiday Procrastination

Yesterday was a lazy day. I was suppose to be starting on a massive turquoise project, and I do mean massive. Someone has asked for the mother-load. Complete with multi-layered necklace, multi-strand bracelet and of course earrings. My only advice is, for god's sake please don't wear it all at once.


So while I pushed my beads around the table, and pulled out a focal or two to consider, I set it all aside and went off for some mommy-daughter time. All those beads were giving me a serious headache.


I let my 9-year-old pick the nail color, and pick she did! It seems to be the color of the season ... somewhere between Dior's waterlily and Essie's mojito. Just for fun, I checked out toes on my way in to the office this morning, and sure enough this minty sea green seems to be the color of choice. At least at this point for the summer.  


My youngest is a veteran nail salon patron. She wasn't shy about asking to add a few flowers to her nails. She has likely been to the salon as many times as I have in my life (almost). Frankly, I never went before I had girls. But I admit it, as much as I'm not girly ... my girls are. And so we go and get our nails done. Flanked with a daughter on either side of me, I confess, I do love my 'girl time' with them. 


I'll get back to the turquoise tomorrow. 

Do Overs: Upcycling Old Projects

Just finished reading a fun post from Crafty Hope on digging up some of those old projects. Got me thinking. 

Its been about 5 years now since I took a wire wrap class on a whim. I had never done anything other then simple bead strings. But my sister-in-law was visiting (along with my Brother) for Christmas and I decided it would be fun to take a class while she was here. She is a classically trained artist who specializes in encaustic painting, an ancient Egyptian technique, and so I knew I had to up the game a bit and pick a class that might challenge her.

Funny thing is, that class jump-started my beading after many, many years. I used to bead when I was a kid. Could not get enough of it, but I wouldn't go as far as to say I was any good. Just your simple bead strings. I lost interest when I hit my teen years and tucked the box of beads away in the attic. I did keep a few of the necklaces, and gave them to my girls without much of a thought. Only one survived all the dress up outfits and tea parties. A tad worse for wear, but I managed to save the beads. I keep it in a bead tube as the last artifact of my early work. This one I think I'll leave just as it is.

There is something soothing to me to just sit and string beads. I have a lot of people ask me why I make jewelry, and so much of it. I always answer "because I don't knit."

Anniversaries: Silver and Pearls

I remember my sister returning from her semester abroad like it was yesterday. That's us right after she came home. She was giddy when recounting the stories of her travels, the people she met, the countries she'd seen .... and the shopping. Man I wanted to have been there with her while she was drifting through the streets of Spain or Paris. I still have the Damascene bracelet she gave me; it's what piqued my interested in antique jewelry.  

After college, and I mean the week she graduated, she packed up and moved to New Zealand ... lock, stock and barrel. She had met a great guy from NZ while she was abroad and that was it. 25 years later, she's still there. Married, two beautiful, grown boys, and some 8,800+ miles away. Sigh. I miss my sister.

I was lucky enough to spend a couple of weeks with her this past February. It was heaven. Lots of chit-chatting, shopping and just general 'sister stuff.' On one of those shopping excursions she pointed out a string of fresh water pearls she liked. I brought the pearls home with me to make something special for her. 
I later realized that what she wanted was similar to a necklace I had restrung last summer with my mom's pearls (above center). I added a sweet little marcasite and pearl charm that I pulled off another necklace from mom. I decided she should have them both. One from mom, and a new one just for her.  


The new one is a double strand necklace set with a large pearl clasp, and pearl coins. I used small onyx rounds to space the pearls in the necklaces. It's a classic Cartier style that I love with pearls. Sometimes just a simple, elegant stringing style is best. I hope she likes these and wears them often. Happy 25th Anniversary Sis!

BTW: My Turkish Designer

I've talked a lot about My Turkish friend that I ride the train with every day into Manhattan. She loves to take me shopping at the bead stores in the Garment District. We meet up for lunch and shop away! And well, what beader doesn't LOVE that? 


She has an eye for design, and pushes me to think differently about mine.  This project is not a combo I would have come up with, but well that is the fun of it all. She originally wanted lapis, but when I pointed out these pretty little midnight blue sandstone rounds she said YES! that's it.  But then she wanted a large charm attached. 


I was just asking her yesterday what it was about something large hanging off her bracelets that she likes so much? She says it adds just that little bit of (insert Turkish word). And our fellow Turkish friend is shaking her head violently in agreement. I'm still a bit in the dark on this topic, but I play along.


She has managed to grab my entire stash of left over tassels that come with my semi-precious stones. You know the ones you clip and throw aside?  She loves them, and begs me to attach them to her jewelry. But in this case she went for an ambulance cross in powder blue that she picked up on our bead shopping. She also asked for matching earrings. I have to say when she was showing off her new ensemble yesterday on the train she did look great in her design!

Button Swap-Blog Hop: Dreaming of the Aegean

Cindy over at sweet bead studio is hosting a button swap extravaganza this weekend with over 90 people participating. When I saw her post I knew that this was just the hop for me! I have a large jar full of buttons (left) that people have tossed my way through the years. I have one or two of each button, and while that isn't enough for sewing it is perfect for a beader.  
    I have to thank Cindy for paring me with Julia at beautifully whimsical who sent me jewel tone buttons, which I love. But ooooh, then I saw the gorgeous blue one. Julia had stacked the deck with this amazing button. I knew that I could not do my usual 'button clasp bracelet' with this baby. Oh no, this screamed ... put me up front. And so I did. Right up front in yet one more ribbon choker. 
   For those of you who saw my piece from last weekend (blog post below), you might think this is my thing. But these are the only two ribbon chokers I've ever made - I swear! Thing is; once I finished the piece I felt like it would be better hanging all the beads vertically and giving a little room to the necklace. But, I'll let you guys be the judge. Let me know what your vote is .... choker or vertical? 
   Recently I signed up for Pinterest just to check it out. My first couple of times on the site I was thinking ... really, so people 'pin' pictures sort of like on a bulletin board? How, um, boring. Yeah, well 4 months in and I'm addicted. 4,600+ pins later, completely addicted. I create mood boards for my beading inspiration. This piece was inspired from my Mediterranean board. I also decided to throw in a couple of quick wire-wrap earrings in that same gorgeous color. I couldn't help it with pictures of all that blue water around Santorini; it's just so very dreamy.

BTW: Aegean Blue

This is my first Bead Table Wednesday. I love to see what everyone is working on, and so I thought I'd join in. 

My table has been a disaster lately with back-to-back blog hops! Each hop I've wanted to create more than one item, but I ran out of time and needed to move on to the next hop! And so, I have half finished projects pretty much everywhere, which is driving me nuts.

This week's project is a focus on buttons for the upcoming button swap hosted by Cindy from sweet bead studio. I can't wait to see how everyone incorporated buttons into their projects. Not always an easy element! It can be tricky to get it to lay flat and show off its pattern or style. 

I was lucky enough for my partner, Julia over at beautifully whimsical, to send me 5 buttons work with. I zeroed in pretty quickly on this over-sized, gorgeous sea blue one.  

I pulled out all my various canisters of beads to see what color combinations were going to draw out the colors in the button.  I do (generally) organize the bead canisters by color, although I tend to mix them by tones, or colors that I like grouped together. It sometimes makes for a bit of hunt and peck, but it is always a jump start on pulling in color groupings for my projects. I'm still working on it, and I'll reveal the final piece this weekend, but expect a splash of blue ... the color of the Aegean Sea!

One Crayon Color Blog Hop: Green

Sally at the studio sublime is hosting a blog hop this weekend encouraging a group of us to create with monochromatic colors by choosing one color and designing in shades & tones within that single color.

I chose green.  Green has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember. Yes, that is me (right) in the 1970s. I've never wavered.  It's always been green.  And as I've gotten older it has spilled into my jewelry choices using stones like emeralds, jade, peridot, green amethyst and green chalcedony.


For this challenge, I focused on jade variations (rounds, diamonds and a jade pendant) with mutli-green seed beads. I used grosgrain sage-colored ribbon to tie the multi-length choker. The central seed bead pattern is a Russian spiral.  What fun! Crazy and eclectic, but came together in the end.

THE MEANING OF THE STONE: JADE  the stone of serenity, longevity and warmth

Energy: soothing color helps with healing
Amulet: worn to promote wisdom and long life
Egypt: ancient tailsman used to attract friendship
China: promotes 5 virtues of humanity (wisdom, compassion, justice, modesty & courage)
Zodiac: Pisces (open to new ideas and a lover of freedom: many artists, musicians are Pisces)
Chakra: heart (love, kindness & affection) compassionate and harmonious in relationships

Yin Yang: Soggy Weather

Just back from a lovely week in London and weekend in Brighton. It's a good thing that I like the rain.  I find it a guilt-free excuse to curl up by the fire with a book (or beads as is the case for me). 


I managed to snap this gorgeous picture at the beach; however, it proved to be simply a moment in time. We had just tucked in to a little beach cubby to grab a bite, and to shelter our lunch from the vulturous seagulls that dive bomb at sandwiches up and down the boardwalk. We were there less than 30 minutes when I noticed my friend start to scamper: packing up, grabbing her coat.  My view was still blue skies ahead, but I turned behind me and saw the wall of grey that was coming our way. Right. Duck and cover.


I spent most of my time in England dashing indoors out of the rain.  It went from rain, to pouring rain, to thunder and lightening to hail over the couple of days I was there.  Thank God for my husband who reminded me to slip an umbrella in the suitcase. Too bad the umbrella wasn't large enough to shelter the rolling suitcase as I dragged it through the streets of London!


I started my weekend by meeting an old friend in Victoria Station and heading down to her place in Brighton. That began our 24-hour whirlwind catch-up session.  We haven't seen each other in a year, and there was just so much to talk about. We did manage to get in a lot of shopping. Honestly, the rain gave us an excuse to shop. 



She brought me into COS a new shop that appears to be sweeping the nation in the UK.  I can see why.  Cute styles, great colors, nice fabric, reasonably priced ... we managed to try on half the store, and sit out yet another downpour.  By the time we emerged the sky was blue once again and we were off to the bead store to find colors that would bring out the blue in the dress she just picked up. 


We stopped in Kerrie Berrie beads and found the perfect combo of blues. She packed up enough for a necklace and earrings.
What fun to pick beads specifically for a new outfit.  I confess I've never done that before.  I finished up this matching pair of earrings and necklace yesterday. Off to the post to get these into the mail so she has her matching jewels for the new dress.


She sent me a note yesterday to tell me that the rain continues on her 'side of the pond.' I do find rain to be very yin-yang. It isn't as 'cozy' by the fire without the soft sound of rain outside, in my opinion.  When the dark skies of rain clear; the sky just never looks so blue. And every now and again you get a rainbow.  We did. Just as we emerged from Victoria station we caught a rare glimpse of a huge rainbow over London.  You can't have a rainbow without the rain. 

Flap Your Wings Blog Hop: Double Rainbow

A fellow blogger over at Moobie Grace Designs has organized this Blog Hop in honor of Judy who recently lost her battle with cancer. Many of us are planning to sell and donate our proceeds to charities. I will be donating the proceeds of this bracelet, and 4 more below, to breast cancer research.

When I was trying to decide what to create for Judy, the first thing that came to mind was a double rainbow. I decided to use a double pattern with multi-color Swarovski for that sparkle rain has on a rainbow. A double rainbow is thought to be about transformation in your life: the material world is represented by the first rainbow while the second is the spiritual world. No matter your beliefs, I thought this was a perfect way to honor Judy. 

I have been working on a collection of bracelets to donate with Lyne who creates these fabric buttons, and who donates a portion of her sales to breast cancer research. She too lost her mother to cancer, and this is her way of honoring her mother. 

Back in February, Lyne and I decided to create a series of bracelets with her buttons. This is the 5th and final bracelet in our collection. I wanted to do something to honor my mom (read here for our first blog post) who I lost in March 2011 when she lost her battle with PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy). Death always seems to be about the people you leave behind. I hope this tribute is heart warming to Judy's family.    
Materials:
1. Navajo: Miyuki seed beads, Beauty button
2. Elizabethan: black banded agate, onyx, Miyuki seed beads, Beauty Button
3. St Petersburg: Miyuki seed beads, Czech beads, Beauty Button
4. Neptune: coral, Miyuki seed beads, cowrie shells, Beauty Button 
5. Double Rainbow: Miyuki seed beads, Swaroviski crystals, Beauty Button

Beader's Block: Double Connection

One of my friends asked if she could bring someone over to meet me, and have a run through my jewelry designs. Apparently she had seen my work on Etsy and wanted to meet me. Wow. Sure! 


Her friend had a string of watermelon tourmaline already strung with the stones grouped by color. 'This is how I want the colors' she informed me. Well ok then. I guess she knows what she wants! Tourmaline is one of my favorite stones. I love how it looks (right) like a real slice of watermelon.  She wanted a necklace with a connector large enough to hang her glasses from, but also a second connector she could use if she wanted to doubled it up. That was a new one for me, and I really wasn't sure how I was going to do that?    

I pulled out a pile of my beading magazines to flip through. I stuffed a couple in my bag to study on my daily 1-hr train ride. I went searching online, but nothing was calling out to me.  I decided to put the project away. Several weeks went by before it hit me. Actually as silly as it sounds, it came to me in a dream. Yes I dream about beads. 

I realized that I wanted a pattern that could loop through from one connector to the next. I decided that my existing toggles, loops, connectors, etc ... just were not going to be what she was looking for. Sigh.
I decided to create my own out of hammered silver. I cut a few inches of 16 gauge silver and pulled out my Wiggig.  Love that thing.  Before I picked up this little device I was forever hunting through the house for a tube or pen that I could bend the wire around.  My designs always came out a little too 'free form' (yes the air quotes indicate the amateurish outcome). But now with my Wiggig I love to create silver charms. With just a couple of whacks with a chasing hammer, charms become a simple and fun way to customize a pattern.  She did really like the design, and the pattern gave her the versatility she was looking for. This time she showed up with another bag, and so I'm on to my next project for her. 

Blog Hop: Postcard Giveaway

Janice over at Bikbik and Roro is having a spectacular give away.  She is giving away postcards that you can use for your blog, your business ... and I guess if you just like sending postcards! All it takes is to leave your name and a comment on her blog. 

The specifics include:
1. PrintRunner provides one lucky reader 100 5x7 postcards!
2. Just click here to check it out and your chance to win.

Superstition: Maori and Paua Shells

Maori are a superstitious bunch. A warrior culture, where losing in battle was pretty rough. For those that didn't run off in shame, they were usually killed by the enemy. Not hard to understand why winning was all important. Several rituals were performed before a battle including abstinence, eating certain foods and a haka (dance). The haka included waving weapons around, sticking out tongues, bulging out eyes and grunting. 


They were practicing scaring the enemy.  If the haka wasn't performed correctly it was seen as a bad omen... which clearly had consequences. The afterlife crowd also kept a close eye on them. Carvings around the village included paua shells as eyes (to represent the stars); symbolic for the eyes of their ancestors that gaze down from the night sky. 

There was no shortage of paua shell. Paua is New Zealand's version of abalone but with deeper, richer colors. It came in all shapes and sizes. I found it in bead stores, jewelry stores, souvenier shops ... and well pretty much everywhere we went. So I had to pick up some and bring it home. I really like the organic look of these natual chips. I saw them in the bead stores, but they were all undrilled. Undrilled? Really ... in the bead stores? I asked why and was told "you pick what you like and we drill them for you" (of course for a charge). Since I was only visiting, it didn't seem like the most expediant process. I ended up finding it -drilled- in New Zealand's equivalent to Michael's. Much more sensible for the traveler. The earrings (right) use a twist connector that make them look a bit like one of those twirly things my mom liked to hang in the wind.  Since I was visiting my sister on the first anniversary of my Mom's passing ... this one's for you Mom. It will help you keep an eye on me.