Add them All in

So this is a bracelet inspired by a blog I came across with on free form beading. It inspired into bringing different textures and materials together and just it using complimentary colors.

I wanted to add more volume to it by making it thicker like adding more beads or elements to it but I looked at and realized that's it already looks good as it is.

Peyote Beading 2

Peyote is a type of cactus which can be found in Texas or the Chihuahua desert of Mexico that grows mainly on desert scrubs. It has been used in rituals, ceremonies, and healing practices by various Native American tribal groups to induce trance states or deep introspection.

Peyote jewelry is worn in these ceremonies.

I wanna share the basics of peyote stitching which I found in Bead and Button.

http://www.beadandbutton.com/bnb/objects/pdf/peyotebasics.pdf

Peyote Beading

I didn't know that what I was doing was a peyote stitch until my friend Ivy said that she's trying to study it.

The inspiration for this bracelet is actually a set Christmas lights displayed at my neighbor's gate and another bracelet that I found in Quiapo made of tiny wood blocks. I observed how it connects one stitch to the other and just did my own experiment with it.

I have a peyote necklace given to me by a very special friend which he got from a Peyote ceremony in NY. (Yes, you heard me right. New York and it was in the Bronx.) I thought I'd do something like it but it's much more complicated.

I always see peyote jewelries with very small beads. I wanted to do something different so I took this beautiful luminescent shell beads and stitch them together. It kind of reminds of snake skin.

Now, I'm on this quest to make more complex peyote bead works which I don't find to be an easy feat by the way.

Tiger Bangles

The first earring that I made is this pair of bangle earrings with Tiger eye beads. I like how the color of the copper wires blended with the color of the stones so I decided to wrap the ring with it to create more texture. I also find that the imperfect wrap that I made gave the earrings more character.

Cherries and silvers

I should probably make a Cherries series. I love these red beads, they remind of cherries ;-) and blood. There's something awfully alluring about these red beads whose name I still do not know. It has a way of standing out and yet seamlessly blending with any material that I connect it with.

The silver plates of this earring is made from another old jewelry that I have. I love its intricate details. It broke and lost its other parts so I couldn't use it anymore. I'd have to say I love how I revived her. She's now even more beautiful than the first time I found her.

Cherries

I made this pair of earrings as part of The Womb, the necklace that I mentioned in the previous post. I wanted to make something simple that will not take away the attention from the necklace when you wear it and will draw the eyes towards it, at the same time highlight the face of the person wearing it. The red beads do this very well.

The Womb

I call this piece the womb. The red stones of the necklace represents the vagina, the ovaries and the clitoris. I thought of creating this piece as I was reading about women shamans where it is said that the women shaman's power in many ancient cultures draws power on birthing and her ability to conceive life.

It's made with turquoise stones and Xingjiang (pronounced as zing-jiang) jade beads and the red stones I'm still figuring out what they are. I adore all things red. It reminds of blood. I forgot to ask what they are at Wellmanson's in Quiapo where I got them from.

The name, Xingjiang literally means “New Frontier.” The stones were named in the mid 1700’s in China when it was conquered by the Qing Dynasty. The Jade of Zingjiang stands out among the varieties produced in China as having an “excellent reputation" because of its smooth texture and pure color. Jade is said to posses the power of good luck and good health. It has the ability to resist evil spirits and get rid of bad luck.

More than a Turquoisity

Turquoise is one of my favorite colors. I got these beautiful stones shaped unevenly and found an old necklace that I haven't used in a while and turned it into magic. This necklace is a semi choker.

Turquoise stones are said to protect from all evils and is one of the oldest protection amulets in many ancient cultures. It said that it protects the wearer from negative energies, diseases and brings good fortune to the one who wears it.

Turquoise stones are also about relationships. It is said that this stones helps keep harmony between couples. The stone is a symbol of friendship that's why it is commonly given as gifts to friends.

Welcome to Hot Beads!

Welcome to Hot Beads!, the home of my latest creative adventure.

Thanks to my friend, Ivy, who insistently initiated me into this new addiction. My fingers just can't stop fiddling with wires and beads of all sorts - from shells, to stones, to crystals, to wood. I can't stop! I haven't done art that involved a lot of 'hand job' in a long while since I got into filmmaking. Wallah! my fingers have been hurting since the time I started (which is just five days ago). As soon as I got my first set of beads with Ivy and Chee (Ivy's friend who also initiated her into the beading cult) in Quiapo, I have spent hours and hours at home playing and amusing myself with textures and colors dancing before my eyes.

Come and see my latest adventures!

Enjoy...:-)