Solange,Stop buying beads!!!

On this beautiful sunny cold day, I couldn't help but to walk a little further than usual.

I don't often go to this side of the city.  I don't know why because it is on the same street as the bakery in which I buy my daily baguette.  The name of this side of  the sreet is different though ^^.

For some reason,  I decided to change my habit and I went further than the covered market which is also in the same street  "Rue des quatres églises". I always ask myself , why is there no church in a street called "Rue des quatres églises" (Four Churches street )?

So I googled it and this what it said: "The street owes its denomination to the presence of four places of prayers on its course in 1728, they changed this name to "Rue de la revolution" in 1791 and in 1814, they changed it again to its actuel name".

Well, after the small historical interruption concerning "La rue des Quatre-Eglises, let us return to what brought us here!
Last summer, I came across a Tibetan shop and I was kind of reluctant  to go inside but I entered it anyway.. And I am glad I did because the owner is a nice and sympathetic man.

So, since I had some spare time before the next thing on my busy "to do list" (I am always have  a million thing to do, I know I should slow down a little bit)  I decided to  take a moment to go inside this shop  to see everything it had to offer .  I couldn't help myself  not to hoard all the marvelous treasures it had. The truth is that, the prices were very appealing because it is winter sales time here! :)
I really enjoyed the store. Going out of my usual area was a good thing.
However,  I have discovered another place to buy beads. I must stop buying beads.

Solange, stop buying beads! Lol.

I am already working with these treasures and I can't wait to share it with you! 

Aren't these Tibetan beads gorgeous and worth the visit?

Tibetan Repoussee Pendant Prayer Box, Brass Repoussee Pendant and  Dorje Brass hollow pendant

"Repoussee is a method of embossing a metal sheet (silver, copper, brass) by punching and hammering a design from the back, then polishing it up in front with a chasing hammer, producing a three-dimensional bas-relief surface."

"The dorje or thunderbolt is a symbol of divine power and the wisdom of the Buddha".

Red. Red is amongst my favorite colours. Seriously, look at these!

Aren't they the prettiest with the murrini!

They are definitely worth the detour!

Naga conch shell beads inlaid with crushed coral and turquoise

They are so smooth beads!!!

I have always wanted these naga conch beads but they are so expensive so I could never afford it until today. They are still expensive but this was my only chance to have them for my own. :)

When I visited Ghana, I was on a mission to find a variety of Krobo beads that I had invisioned in my head.  We searched and searched but I could not find the variety that I wanted.  I was told we could find what I wanted but we would need to travel to another city which meant we would have to drive 9 to 10 hours to get them.  Unfortunately, I wasn't in the mood and I needed to go back to Côte D'ivoire to catch my return flight, so instead I ordered these online.  So while it was worth the visit and definitely worth the detour, it was so much easier to order these Krobo beads online.  

Fish Vertebrae Bone Beads made in Senegal and recycled Krobo beads made in Ghana.

The reverse side of the repousse pendant is Ohm symbol.

I like to use handmade beads, recycled, upcycled and unique materials from around the globe to make my jewelry!

As always, thank you so much for stopping by!

Sebèkolo collection

At all times, throughout the history of the world, men and women of all cultures, whatever their origins, their locations, their beliefs, have always possessed a symbolic object to protect themselves from evil spirits and/or to attract the good graces of the spirits.  The object commonly referred to as: an amulet, a talisman, or Gris-Gris depending on the name given in the region of the people who wear them, has various meaning and significance for whoever wears them.  Whoever wears the object is free to interpret the meaning of it from their own beliefs and traditions.  The symbolism of the object is associated to them.

It is on this theme that I created the Sebèkolo collection.
Sebèkolo is a malinké word, which means protection.

I have always thought that both amulet and talisman offer protection to whomever wears it. I was quite surprised to learn that there is a subtle difference between them.

First let's explain this difference !

"An amulet is an object whose most important characteristic is the power ascribed to it to protect its owner from danger or harm.  Amulets are different from talismans as a talisman is believed to bring  luck or some other benefit, though it can offer protection as well.^"

^{Source wikipedia}

I made this necklace with an antique key which is archeological dug, on which I dangled a fossilized Orthoceras, also known as "Straight Horn" from Mother Earth's underwater garden,

tied with Tibetan mala seed, bone and Dzi beads, petrified rainbow wood, a leather bag (reused from a tibetan necklace) and handmade ceramic drop bead.

Each of these gemstones have their own properties, but when associated together, they have a protective and healing power.

I wire wrapped handmade ceramic egg shell  crackled tube beads with pure copper wire, then, used vintage rusty metal skeleton key with  patina as pendant and I dangled a variety of artisan beads, intricately handmade leather bag with a cowry shell, handmade tribal ceramic drop,deer antler, wood bead and silk ribbon.

Amulet vary considerable according to their time and place of origin.

I made this simple and elegant amulet which has a powerful healing resonance to them.  It has African turquoise, mixed gemstones, handmade lampwork bead etched with tribal Sgraffito design.

   

Dangled from the necklace is a vintage Ethiopian camel bone pendants which is also known as medicine stick pendants, as they were used by the tribe's Shaman for healing purposes.

The circular pattern was believed to protect from the evil eye.

Amulets are like magic charms, worn by people to protect themselves from negative energies, evil and injury, and also to bring good luck.


As always, thank you so much for stopping by!