Do-Something-Everyday: Woodburned Yoga Verse Art Bangles

Do-Something-Everyday: Day 6

I wrote Sanskrit verses on these hambabalud wood bangles using wood burning pen. There is one square and one round bangle. I added color to one bangle and the other one polished with beeswax orange oil polish.

Fabric Jewelry

Recently, I have started making jewelry with beads that I fabricate using my very own silk and cotton sari materials. I have come up with my own technique that allows to roll the beads without using glue. The beads come out soft. I combine them with pendants, crystal and metal beads to make one of a kind necklaces. They are  now available in my Etsy shop.

Ikat Fabric Lotus Necklace

Green Silk Peacock Necklace

Magenta Peacock Necklace

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Dyeing with Henna

                       

I love henna and I am always looking for opportunities to incorporate the rich, warm orange brown of the henna color into my work. I found a wonderful use for it in the carved white bone components that I have been accumulating for a while. These carved bone components make for fabulous jewelry designs but one of the disadvantages of using them is that they tend to yellow over a period of time due to exposure to air and contact with the skin. I had tried to polish them in various ways but could not bring back the original whiteness. This was when I decided to dye them with henna, and what I realized was that the new coloring expanded the jewelry designing possibilities. Henna's deep orange color allowed me to add more coordinating and contrasting colors in the necklaces and earrings which made everything glow.

                 

The photo below provides the before and after views. As you can notice the coloring brings out the details of the carving much more sharply. I use simple but effective techniques to get the deep rich color of the henna on to the components. The instructions are below:

Materials:

Henna powder (you can buy it from any Indian store or online)
essential oil ((black pepper oil, frankincense oil or eucalyptus oil) or plain vinegar
Bone beads
Water

Blend henna and water to a cream like consistency.
Add a few drop of essential oil  or  plain vinegar.
Place the bead components into the henna mixture and cover them completely with the paste.
Cover and let it sit in a warm place for a few hours.
(I usually let it sit outside on a sunny spot.) 

Once you are satisfied with the dye color, take it out and wash it with cold water (no soap, please). Dry and buff it with a soft cloth. The buffing will bring out the shine.

The amount of oil and the length of time for marinating the beads will depend upon the depth of color you want. With a little oil and warmth, henna will dye to a rich hue. If you want something paler, reduce or eliminate either or both. Below is a lighter version of the dye.

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Natural and Healing Jewelry

In my natural line of jewelry, the materials I use are not only naturally occurring but also have beneficial properties. From times immemorial, humans have looked to nature for physical and spiritual sustenance. Plants, minerals, stones, bones, shells were seen as possessing qualities to nurture and protect the mind, body and spirit. Humans have not always treated their generous protectors well-- that is a different story for a different time. But, nature in her infinite generosity has not stopped giving.

Shells and pearls and in fact, all waterborne gemstones enhance the sense of self, heighten intuition, promote calmness and inner peace. They are  connected to the heart chakra and thus promote heart health, are said to help with digestion and, because of their calcium content also strengthen the bones. In cultures that have been traditionally dependent on the sea for livelihood, pearls and shells are worn for good luck, good health and prosperity.

A shimmering paua shell pendant in iridescent green and blue paired with an iridescent black lip flower pendant is the focal point of the necklace pictured above. The chain part of the necklace is made of sea green and white mother of pearl beads, white and dark silver coin pearls and green swarovski crystals.The large pendant measures 55 mm ( little more than 2") and the smaller one is 33mm in diameter. The necklace is finished with a toggle clasp.

It is available in my Etsy shop.

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New Jewelry

Yesterday it did not just rain but poured.  Could not go outside and so I made some new jewelry. It is sunny today and I got them photographed and even listed some of them in my shop. The necklaces I make tend to be on the bold and big side and I always felt that photographing them flat did not do full justice. This morning I got the brilliant idea of painting the white plastic mannequin I have into a brown color. I must say the necklaces look quite nice draped around its tanned neck! Here is peek and you will find more in my  Etsy shop  here.

Natural and Energy Giving

In my natural energy line of jewelry, the materials I use are not only naturally occurring but also have beneficial properties. From times immemorial, humans have looked to nature for physical and spiritual sustenance. Plants, minerals, stones, bones, shells were seen as possessing qualities to nurture and protect the mind, body and spirit. Humans have not always treated their generous protectors well-- that is a different story for a different time. But, nature in her infinite generosity has not stopped giving.

The necklace above is made of all natural components---rough hewn natural turquoise stones of various shapes and sizes, and copper beads of various shapes and designs.

Both copper and turquoise are natural materials with energy giving properties. Turquoise is considered a master stone in terms of the beneficial qualities it confers on the wearer. It is said to promote calmness, balance and self-awareness. Turquoise is considered good for strengthening the immune system.

Copper has been regarded from the ancient times as having body protecting qualities and it is an essential trace mineral for healthy bones, the heart, the skin and immune system. It is also an excellent conductor of heat and electricity and thus a superb conduit for the beneficial properties of the turquoise.

The necklace measures 17 1/2" and is finished with an antiqued copper clasp. It is available in my Etsy Store  and Artfire Studio

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The Age of Copper

Copper, Green Opals and Turquoise Perfect Together!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53905630/copper-green-opal-turquoise-autumn

The skyrocketing price of gold and silver has made copper an alluring and affordable choice in jewelry designs in recent times. Besides, in this era of increased yearning to be one with nature, the color of copper instinctively evokes the warmth of the sun, the rustle of the autumn leaves and the swirling of the desert sands making it suitable for many types of artwork.

Copper is a naturally occurring mineral and copper was known to some of the oldest human civilizations including the Mesopotamian and the Indus Valley civilizations. The Copper Age lasted from 10000 B.C. to 3500 B.C when it was succeeded by Bronze (which is an alloy of Copper) Age. The use of copper in agricultural tools, utensils, building materials, jewelry and later on in plumbing and electrical fixtures continued well into the modern age. 

Patinated Copper Roof on the Minneapolis CIty Hall (Photo: Creative Commons)

The Statue of Liberty has 179,220 pounds of copper (Photo: Creative Commons)

In India where I spent my the first two decades of my life, copper utensils were very much part of our life. I vividly remember the big coal burning copper boiler that we used in winter months for heating water. It was a glorious piece capable of heating about 50 gallons of water and my mother always kept it polished to its full coppery sheen with salt and tamarind paste. But, copper was burdensome to maintain for the already overworked housewives and the advent of stainless steel supplanted its use in the kitchen. Which is a pity because copper is antibacterial with the ability to kill several potentially harmful pathogens. It is also an essential nutrient for human health. Copper rich food are oysters, lobsters, brazil nuts, black pepper, sunflower seeds, avacodo and green olives.


Copper is a very malleable metal and an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. It is associated with the planet Venus and is considered beneficial for promoting love, positive relationships and peace. Copper yantras (tantric designs engraved on thin copper plates) are particularly favored by the Hindus. 

In jewelry designs, copper combines fabulously with dark, rough, semi-precious stones like turquoise, green opal or lapiz lazuli. With fall around the corner, this may be the best time to incorporate copper in your art.