Symbols of faith

I am in the midst of getting ready to teach a crown class
here next Saturday
with my good friend Rita Reade of Mammabellarte

Also, have been getting ready for my next show The Vintage Marketplace Sep 9th/10th.

While creating/pricing, etc...I came across some jewelry projects I have been meaning to create,
just for me.  You know, the shoemakers kids have no shoes...
These are pieces that I have been collecting over the years.
Fun stuff.

Firstly I have been wanting to make a Multi Faith piece for years.
 Regardless of what Faith you follow, you follow with your heart.
I respect people of Faith and respect ALL Faiths, even those that I might not understand or agree with.
I believe we are all on our own individual path and that it is not up to any of us to
judge or change people.
So much division stems from religious beliefs.
Look at the continual battle in the middle east,
the battle over our own political policies in this country often stem from religious beliefs.
I don't even want to talk about the hypocrisy of many religious people
who are not practicing what they preach.

Anyway, I could go on and on about this subject as I have studied the Bible and
multiple religions for many years.

Ultimately, Faith is a Choice and until there is PEACE among brethren of ALL Faiths,
this world will suffer.

 The Focal is the Hamsa Symbol.  It is a Locket that I FOUGHT for on EBAY.
It is totally COOL!  On the interior I resined in an Eye symbol.

The Cross is obviously Christian and the charm on the right
is a Hindu Goddess.

The Hamsa Symbol predates Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
It over the years became identified with both Judaism and Islam.
It is to ward off the evil eye or just tragedy in general.
For more info...http://www.jewishgiftplace.com/Hamsa-Hand-Symbology.html

Up the left side of the necklace is a vintage blue enamel "om" symbol.
The Om is associated with these religions...Dharma, Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.

Next up my chain is the Yin/Yang symbol.
Predominately a Chinese symbol with origins in Taoism and Confucianism.
It basically means balance.  Dark/light, for every thing in life there is a counter
to balance it all out.

The Dream catcher symbol is of the American Indian Ojibwa Tribe.
Not so much a religious symbol, but as their religion was earth based, it is one
of catching good dreams and letting the bad pass through.
May New Age philosophies have adopted this symbol.

Top left symbol is a Star of David with a tiny cross inside it.
It is the symbol of Messianic Jews.  That would be a Jewish person who
believes Jesus is the Messiah.
(on a side note, I had a few Christian woman who refused to purchase
any of my jewelry that had this symbol on it.)
I wanted to remind them the Jesus was a Jew, but held my tongue.

The crescent moon with a star is often associated with Islam
http://islam.about.com/od/history/a/crescent_moon.htm.
It also however predates Islam but has been used in Catholicism under figures of Mary
and in other ancient religions as well.
http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/questions/yq/yq244.html

The vintage red glass Buddha is obviously Buddhist.

The Heart charm has the Virgin Mary on it
and is of course, Catholic.

Another Star of David that is actually the letters LOVE.

This coin is the language Farsi.  It is the predominent language spoken in the Middle East.
I have no idea what this coin says.
Anyone know Farsi?

Lastly, I finished my Ode to Dr Seuss Necklace and made a matching bracelet of
Vintage enamel fishies!

This little Anklet I am calling my Lucky Charm anklet.
Religious and luck symbols.

Lastly is my Baubly Spherical bracelet.
I Like SPHERES and these are random vintage ones
that I have held onto.

Maybe I like spheres because of starring at the moon every chance I could as a child and still do.
That spheres remind me of our Earth and that we are all ONE humanity on it.

LONG post....thanks to those of you who read the entire thing.

Have a Lovely weekend.

And,

May Peace Be With You All.

The answer to this is with LOVE.

xo,
Lisa

Stories in Lace

While I Love ALL things vintage, one thing probably

stands out the most to me and it is "Lace".

Years ago when I had a subscription to Victoria Magazine

there was an issue that was devoted to Lace and had the story of how Brussles lace

was made for royalty and that children as young as 4 were taught this art and their

lace was finest and the most desired by the Royals of Europe.  Entire Young girls

lifetimes were devoted to making lace.

Sad, yet fascinating.  Lace is a Lost art form.

13 years ago, I had a studio in old town San Dimas above a coffee house named Java Jitters.

It was in this town that my art took wings....

where I gained the independence to leave an unhappy marriage.

It was where I got out of my home studio and built my mural and design business...

where I painted and designed logos for the local shops and patrons.

It was here that I met my 2nd husband John, a good old cowboy/contractor who frequented 

Java Jitters.

It was Lovely there and I miss those days.

At the time there was a darling Antique Shop next to Java Jitters.

The shop owner was named Sharon.  She was the originator of Shabby Chic (sorry Rachel).

Her store rocked and her style was so unique and unlike the Victorian style prevalent then.

Sharon was sick and dying of cancer. Sad, a mother in her 30's with 4 kids.

She knew she was dying and began selling off the entire store.

I remember feeling awkward buying from her, as I do when I attend any estate sale.

BIZARRE walking through someone's home and belongings

knowing that something devastating forced the sale.

In one side room of the store were PILES and I mean PILES of fabric, textiles costumes,

linen, lace, doilies, hankies, etc, etc. etc.  I sat one day for over an hour digging and making piles

of what I wanted.  I couldn't decide, my head was swimming with ideas.

My LOVE of fabric and textiles came from my Grandmother and Mother who sewed dresses for me as a kid.  I always got the remnants and hand sewed doll clothes for my barbies and doll babies.

When Sharon inquired as to what I was looking for, I told her, I don't know, I just love it all.

So she told me for $200 I could have it all.

Okay, "really, are you sure?",  her reply was that she knew I would put it to good use.

I gathered no fewer than 19 Glad Lawn and Leaf bags FULL of this stuff and hauled it to my studio.

It took weeks to get through it all.

Honestly, everything you could think of.

Barkcloth, 20's costume pieces, bathing suits, needlepoint, doilies, lace, ric rack, chenille, hankies, on and on in every style imaginable.

Some I sold, much was made into kids clothing that I sold in a shop 

I opened behind hers after she was closed.

The one thing I never sold and really only have used a little of is the lace.

Each time I dig through it my mind swims.  What ladies wore these amazing collars?

What ladies and children tatted and wove the variety of laces?

If it could talk, what would they say?

Now, I am a pretty organized artist, kinda weird actually.  Everything is organized in my studios.

Beads in sorters, specific paints in drawers, all of the metal stuff I build with in wooden crates.

Friends are typically surprised at the order in my studios

(unless I have a big show than it goes wild until it wigs me out and I reel it all in).

So, since my new line of jewelry is going to incorporate lace, it was time to get it out and dig through it and make some sense of it.

Over the years I have added a bag or two here when I come across the old stuff.

So, here I sit this evening reminiscing about San Dimas,

a place where my life changed course, where I met John, where I met so many good people.

Reminiscing about Sharon and her kindness to me in selling me this lace.

I hope her children are well, sad to grow up without a Mother.

And again, I sit and wish the lace could speak to me the stories

of where it has been who made it.

  I start layering collars on and laugh at myself thinking what a nut I am!

So, here it is, my secret weakness is out.  

LACE!

This is only one of three boxes that I have, 

time to get back to work!

Art Unraveled

WOW...Summer is flying by.

Emily is back in school and I am cranking it out.

Despite the trials of late, things are looking up and my loved on is getting better!!!

WOOHOO!

The California Gift Show was amazing.

So was my time in Phoenix recently at Art Unraveled.

The next 60 days hold three more shows for me.

The Vintage Marketplace, Sept 9th and 10th in Rainbow, CA.

Art is You, September 24th in Petaluma, CA

and Glitterfest October 15th in Santa Ana, CA

On top of these shows I am filling orders from the Gift Show

and finishing my new line of Jewelry.

Not to long ago, I designed this Logo for my good friend Tricia Samsal

of Vintage Bliss

I LOVE designing custom logos for clients.  Have done so for years.

I am NOT a digital artist, but an OLD school one who hand draws everything at

my Vintage Drafting Table.

Digital art is great, but I like a true vintage hand drawn look myself, call me old fashioned.!

It honor of the logo and because I LOVE Tricia, I created for her a necklace

in the style of my new Jewelry.

FINALLY getting to the metal work I have been training for the past year.

Sheesh!!

Anyway...off to the studio.

This is the cutest Bling Baby I did before the gift show, she told me she didn't want to be sold and really wanted to stay here with me.  Isn't she sweet?  I LOVE that face!!!