Guitaurus; a look back to go forward

I first published this post July 30, 2009.  With all that's going on in the world around me today and all that is going on inside of me today I find that to go forward I must first look back.  SANKOFA!  

This post or re-post is me looking back at where I've been in my wire wrapping journey to determine where I will go.

Originally posted

~July 30, 2009~
I talked to Gemi Taylor about creating a piece for him using the logo of his company "Guitaurus Music." Gemi plays guitar with Mandrill, has a soon to be released CD on which he is producing and performing and it features the poetry of Maya Angelou.

I started free form wrapping copper on the larger pendent-- 8 1/2" from top to bottom-stop!

Then I tried something a little more stylized, and I wanted to include some significant gems with the copper--turquoise because by this time I had been thinking about the idea of Taurus and stepping the mythology back a culture. Tarsus, Horus--hum! Horus the Egyptian mythical character was married--at one point to Hathor. Now Hathor wore a headdress of horns (bull) with the disk of the sun between the horns.

Okay good size 4". A sun stone at the top of the pendent between the horns. Green turquoise referring back to Egypt, fire agates and reconstituted turquoise detailing the outside of the pendant-stop! What is this I'm not sure. Go back to paper and I have to admit my father's drawing.

Okay, so now I have a template and some raw undrilled turquoise slabs my mother brought from a trip to New Mexico. The finished pendent front and back, 4 1/2." "S" hooks in the horns. Hope you like it Gemi.

Wire Wrapped Eyeglass Frames

Anansi...the storyteller body necklace.  Handcrafted links of brass connect chucks of coral, reconstituted coral, Aventine, jasper, glass trade beads and African resin. Here is an example of an Anansi story...

Szarka and her Family business...Magpie Gemstones have been a consistent resource since I started working with stone and wire 

In this video she shares what is going on in the hand crafted jewelry industry with the production of "fake" gemstones.  As she says in the video, whatever they are made of just say so."  Using what I believed to be real gemstones has always been a part of Spirit Dance Adornments.  I thought I could "eyeball" the real thing. I thought I could trust when I was told by a seller that the beads they were selling were real.  Now I know different.  Watch this video. Me, I'm finding the nearest "local gem and mineral club."  

Spirit Dance Adornments Exhibited at Alkebulan Pasadena May 11-18, 2016

For me it always begins with the curve...

It's probably because the mountains around Pasadena have always held me close.

When I pick up wire it responds to the warmth in my hands and curves like the mountains around Pasadena. 

Sometimes the curve stays simple...

sometimes it multiples and moves in unpredictable ways. 

Please join us on May 15, 2015 2-5pm at Alkebulan Culture Center.

Painter Jerry Weems will also be featured.  Of his work Weems says, "As an artist I feel that it is incumbent upon me to tell the story of the African-American experience through my paintings; And in so doing I am telling the story of the many unsung heroes who gave their lives because they refused to submit to the whims of the oppressor.

Damali Afrikan Wear: Splendor of Indigo

5 minute draped Vest [HD]1080p

Yes I have been exploring Youtube's upcycling and dyi video's.  This is another one that can be great with Spirit Dance Adornments.