Dia de los Muertos: Gallery, Alter, New Jewelry

This year’s El Dia de los Muertos day and alter is about change.  There is a lot going on and we’re moving very soon.  So, it is particularly timely, purging old pics and momentos; embracing but moving on.  My goal is to simplify in the year to come, literally and figuratively; I want to toss 1/2 of all I own.  For those of you close by, we’re having a garage sale this Saturday.

The alter is very simple this year too.

New jewelry inspired by the colors, smells (copal!), and tastes of the day will be posted in my Etsy shop: Physalia Designs.  I had a trunk sale here last week- so am adding inventory now.  Check back for Fall & holiday sales.

New pieces feature Gaea’s special Dia de los Muertos pendants, Anne Choi 2-sided sugar skull charms, sterling and brass with Czech crystals.

Andrew Thornton original bronze  skull charms in a tasty matte gold finish, with crystals.

These are all from one of my favorite year-round Mexican folk art gallerias for all things  and Dia de Los Muertos.  Alamo Fiesta in San Antonio, Texas~

Dia De Los Muertos Celebration- Making Papel Picado

I love October and Fall overall, for the feelings of change and transition.  Lots of that happening now…

I especially enjoy celebrating the Latin holiday Dia de los Muertos- Day of the Dead-  both as an personal day and as a community celebration.  Bay wide, our museums offer special community alter exhibits. There are concerts everywhere and parades through most cities.

To me, Dia de Los Muertos is a time to honor change- what we see and what we don’t.  It is also the time of year to honor our connection to loved ones who have blessed our lives with theirs.  I love the heightened colors and festivities of this holiday: bright abundant alters are built in homes and in galleries; marigolds bloom from stoops & gardens; people prepare special food & drink enjoyed by loved ones; and there are lots of parades and concerts.

One ritual I enjoy almost every year is going to any one of the special Mexican stores or markets to buy fresh sugar skulls, papel picado, and usually one new calaveras figurine (skeleton figure) for my alter.  These figures humorously depict a smiling skeleton hard at work or play, reminding me not to take things so seriously.  Underlying all the impermanence is the message to celebrate life at every turn.

This is also the time of year to make sugar skulls, masks, breads, and crafts.

For crafts, check out this wonderful tutorial from fellow Etsy artisan Yreina on how to make papel picado- colorful tissue banners that typically decorate alters and storefronts for nearly all festivities including this day.  I love how Yreina has designed a particular papel inspired by something her Grandpa used to say.

This is just the black and white template (useable for your own project). Check out her wonderful story and technique for making papel picado here.

As well as her Etsy store Aymujer- here.

I’ll be posting pics of my alter this week, and jewelry inspired by the playful sugar skulls and treats featured all week long.  So check back!

Celebrating Spring- Gaea Beads and Creations

I am in awe of artists who hand make art pendants, beads, and findings that I can incorporate into  my creations.  You might say I get mini ‘crushes’ on them as their treasures inspire my own jewelry.  This week, my artist’s ‘crush’ is on Gaea art beads, especially her Mermaid beads and pendants. This bracelet shows 4 such beads (the lighter aqua/turquoise ones).  Check out the tasty finishes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

While I usually favor Gaea’s Dia de Los Muertos pendants and beads,  now-to usher in Spring- I’ll be posting pieces that feature mermaids, rain, and the ocean- here and in my upcoming online store… stay tuned

Oh! I’m late in mentioning it, but I got my very first ‘shout out’ from the artist for this past piece.  Yay!- thank you Gaea!

Spring Gems

I call this one “What doesn’t Kill you- has the Last Laugh.”

Writing and recording the new album has been all consuming the last coupla months- blissful and stressful both.  The sugar skulls are having the the last laugh, reminding me “its only music, beauty, …the stuff of life.” 

I’m not keen on the color pink, and of course nearly everything blooming in the neighborhood now is pink or some such. From ground cover to trees.  Pink.  That must mean that I’m meant to see it now, explore my extreme distaste for it.  Pink.  Ergh.

I’ll start by seeing it next to black.  Everything is more beautiful next to black, yes?  The stones nearest the pendant are rhodonite.  I love the black veins running through this stone.  The large squares are cherry quartz.  Other stones- lava rounds, and rose quartz.  Sterling silver clasp and pewter skull pendant and rose and sugar skull beads by Green Girl Studios.   I’ll make another that features similar stones with rose themed pendants and beads.

Fall Jump Start- New Pieces

OK- so I can’t wait for the rains (my Texas and Atlantic Coast friends can send their clouds our way any day),   I’m craving carnelian, and anything orange, red-orange, yellow… Found this mixed howlite in a store in Trinidad, CA.  I don’t normally get dyed stones, but it looked so cool.

I was serenaded the whole time I made this ring of Native American seed beads from Arizona, by all the coyotes y caballeros!