How Precious This Purse !

Well , you guessed it right . This post is all about purses ,  that are precious to me . And I don`t mean  in value  but for the different memories associated with them !

       The First one is by far the oldest I have in my collection , a rare mesh purse that I inherited from my husband`s grandmom and probably a century old . Lying in Mom-in-laws cupboard for many years , my interest in this purse was sparked only a decade ago when I happened to see it in one of the spring cleaning sessions . And my Mom-in-law happily gave it to me , knowing my hobby of collecting old things . I tried to fix the mesh but was scared as it was very fragile and so attached an old silver pendant to cover up the tear. It has lovely enamel on the opening clip and so I refashioned the handle with onyx and silver beads to make it more trendy ( the chain had broken too )

 Recently reading a lovely informative  article on chain maille jewellery by Divya of Jewels of Sayuri made me decide to include this one .

Here`s a link to her article , you`ll find it very interesting too !

  The second on that I have included here is this lovely beaded purse from my mom , which was a bridal purse that she made  for my wedding . I still remember those lovely months between my engagement and wedding when we both spent the most precious times together pouring over the design I wanted , and she ,  patiently stitching bead by bead with the most serene expression on her face .

 For me it is so precious because I can see the blessings and the love she has for me , that has gone into creating it . Incidently , it was her first beaded purse that she made  ,and till today , she continues to make purse after purse , ( maybe more than a hundred , each with a different design ) but none as precious as those made for my sister and me .

  And the third one that is precious to me is the one I brought from Cambodia on my recent trip . Well , it`s not different in a sense , to those usually available in Far East, , in terms of design , but for me it holds a special memory of the lovely time I had visiting this lovely place , a dream that I had nurtured since I was a school kid. And what lovely inspiring memories  I`ve brought back with me !
  Here is a link to the lovely crafts of  Cambodia

Well don`t you agree that these purses are indeed precious for all the love , efforts and feelings associated with them ? Would love to hear about your views ,


writing off for now but will be back soon with more to share ,

motidana.

Back from Angkor , tired but Inspired!

My trip to Cambodia has been everything I imagined and more !!! I am on a high , coz my mind is filled with all the eyecandy I saw there. Be it architecture , design , textiles , dances , scenery , my mind is full of images of  beauty , calm and peace surrounding the place. Whatever the past  , the simplicity of the people and their daily life fills me with a sense of  wonder ,as to how ,they are able to find a sense of beauty and interweave it in their daily lives.

                                                 My first view of the Majestic Angkor Wat

                                                   The East gate with the four headed Shiva

                     The inner courtyard . The friezes and the carvings on the window pane are simply a delight.

 The crafts of Cambodia are amazing , and this being my first trip to South Asia, I am enamoured by the motifs , designs and patterns.

 these wood carvings of different Forms of Buddha were prevalent everywhere and this perfumed tea candle stand was really very serene.

Artisans`de`angkor is a craft revival organisation and the trip to their craft center was a fantastic learning experiance for me.

beautiful and intricate ikat at a resturant I visited. Though similar to ikat in India, it is very colourful and the Apsaras ,elephants and other forms are very precise and complex.

                                           embossed silver bass relif work is very prevalant .


          I think I will need to spend hours of   assimilating and meditating on all of this before I begin my next project. However I am also pleased that my Dreams of Angkor necklace is quite close to the reality  of the place and my imagination is sure for REAL !

What do you think ?

Dreams of Angkor

There is endless beauty around us . Be it in the form of flora , fauna or even rocks and stones , nature sure is beautiful. Admiring nature always fills me with a sense of peace and calm and a feeling of thankfullness at the gift  nature has bestowed around.  And civilizations of  the earlier era had a respect for that beauty , which they merged in their living . The forts , Castles , Caves, Relics that they built , are all an embodiment of beauty captured by the bygone era , leaving  us with sense of awe and wonder !

 Angkor Vat of Cambodia  is one such Wonder of the world that is beyond compare . The beautiful temples, the Elephant terrace , the stone carvings ,  the Steps to Nirvana  and not to forget the green flora fauna and the curling banyan trees all have a story to tell .

(photo courtsey http://go-seek-serve.blogspot.in/2011/08/angkor-wat-sketches-2.html )

   Learning about it in history as a child ,  a vivid image formed in my mind, and this necklace has been inspired by the beauty of Angkor. as I have imagined !

Using cabochons, ( the cracked cabochon a symbol of ruins , seemed perfect for this project )  beads  and gemstones , I have created this necklace  trying to capture the calm and  serene atmosphere surrounding the temples of Angkor.

assembling the components

                           completing the central area , resembling the tank and surrounding monuments

didnt like the placement of the 3 glass beads so ripped them off  to add beads around the circumference to resemble a walking path . Notice the green onyx beads depicting the  Steps to Nirvana.

Focal pendant complete !!!

Added the side to make a necklace . tried free form technique so learnt brick stitch , herringbone stitch and square stitch in the process

       not to miss the banyan tree and leaves  on the temple  , I have added glass leaves next to the green jade Ganesha .

Though I when started this project , I thought it would be a simple one , I got so carried away that I wanted to go on adding to it. And believe me it has been a journey full of self learning . Needles breaking, threads knotting, wrong shade of beads , trying to learn new bead stitches ( for me , a first timer ) it has been a fun filled period.

And I am happy by the outcome . What about you? Do you think it captures the beauty of a bygone era  waiting to be made immemorable ?

 Eagerly awaiting to see whether my mind`s picture  of Angkor vat is true ,  I`m off to Cambodia to see what my mind has only imagined till now. Hope the real thing is even more beautiful and inspiring than my vision. And waiting to gather loads of inspirations for my future  projects !

Motidana.