Treasured

I was featured in a treasury on Etsy by the lovely and very supportive Amanda Clark Reed of whitelightproject!

You can view the whole treasury here: First Feature

Photos & Figuring It Out

Spent today re-shooting my works and trying to get the best images to show size and texture. I'm enjoying the multi-faceted process and slowing down to do things right. Photography is something I struggle with and I really admire people who express themselves in that media, it doesn't end when the shutter clicks. Selling things online you have to have the best representation of your wares and the only way to do that is with really great, interesting and accurate photos. I'm learning...slowly...baby steps.

Here are a few of my redesigned altarpieces and I think they look pretty rad. The newly added patterns are reflecting the shapes, forms and motions of the images graphically. I really love very simple color schemes there's something to be said for things that are visually quiet.

Tarjani $40

Generosity $40

Varada Mudra $40

After these facelifted pieces are up on the old Etsy I will be turning my attention to a hanging mandala series.

I still really want to do a lovers series too and I got so many responses for suggestions I think I at least need to do one or two couples, there are just so many great stories! I think it would be hilarious to play with the idea of good vs evil too, opposites attract! If you can think of any lovers (or haters) leave suggestions in the comments.

Hand of Glory & 6

I created 6 more book forms for my Etsy shop. This time I used the paper that I hand patterned from my previous post for my end paper and I think it really is just what this series needed. My favorite piece out of this series is my Harry Potter inspired reliquary!

 image size: 3.5"x 5" total size approx. 7"x 5"

In the Chamber of Secrets Harry follows Draco into Borgin and Burkes and encounters the Hand of Glory, a severed, mummified hand that is said to give light only its beholder. A favorite talisman for thieves and other persons of shady reputation Draco uses it to escape the Room of Requirement after using Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder. (Haven't seen it? What are you waiting for!) So, enamored as I am with the hamsa symbol I merged the two together to create one creepy image.

Hand of Glory

A few more from my new series, see the rest at my Etsy store: Samskrits

 

Jewel

 

 

Meditation

 I've been working with a lot of neutrals, blacks and browns. I did this to keep everything simple at first, not sure where I would want to go after I made the first few book forms. Now that I've made a good amount I think it's time I move forward with some color!

Also, my themes will be expanding, I am (obviously) very interested in the spiritual, symbols, charms and iconography of religions and cultures. I will continue to explore this genre but spiraling out to include more of the occult and mysteries and also some main stream things. I have some really great plans for my next couple of series and I can't wait to share them with everyone!

Five For Fighting

It's taken such a very long time for me to find where my heart lies in this vast world of creating but I have finally rested upon a marriage of book form and original artwork, now it's time to get to work!

I've put up five pieces to my brand new Etsy store: samskrits Go check it out and give me some feedback!

All Seeing Reliquary Book Form

Generosity Reliquary Book Form

Vajra Reliquary Book Form

Hamsa Reliquary Book Form

Illuminated Reliquary Book Form

all gift wrapped up just for you!

Namaste!

17 Sacred Mudras

Embarking on this project of reliquaries I am now starting to ask myself, "What is sacred?"

I have always loved the hamsa. I just traveled to Israel and saw the Sephardic symbol everywhere. It's simple design is beautiful and meaningful, protection and good luck all in one. The hamsa can be found in many religions and cultures throughout the Middle East and also in Christianity.  It's folkloric appeal makes it easy to appreciate as a secular as well.

17 drawings of Tibetan Buddhist Mudras

my hamsa! (for Bubbe)