Unique Boxes.....

I have a love for unique boxes…..something about them intrigue me. Maybe it is the disbelief that someone else tossed it out! I do admit that part of it is anticipation of what might be inside. I have yet to open one and find a hidden treasure…….. I have them displayed throughout my home, in my work room holding art supplies, or in my bedroom being used as a jewelry box.
I just recently bought this one at a second hand store. It is made in Spain and it has that rustic look that I love! Here I have it in a mini installation in the center of my dining table. Other second hand store buys in this photo are the Christ statue, the pearl like rosary and even the cactus vase that holds my fresh flowers.
Although I am always amazed at what one discards as junk….I am so elated to discover them and make them part of my home.
You can find some treasures for sale through my Etsy shop. Stop by for a visit @ http://www.mexisoul.etsy.com

Discarded Treasures......

I have been shopping second hand stores for nearly 30 years. My eye is now trained at seeking out what was junk to one and is an absolute treasure to me. Hence the saying, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure”. I have furnished my home with beautiful and unique pieces, have discovered a vast array of ethnic clothing, a stunning collection of vintage handbags, a proudly displayed ethnic cloth doll collection of nearly 100, a beautiful collection of handmade crochet table cloths and linens, and more……
I also love gathering little discarded gems that breathe new life into my art. Recycled jewelry made into hand knotted rosaries, painted picture frames for my amate ink and stitch art, vintage buttons made into unique stacked button jewelry, handbags created with men’s neckties, cards made from unused stationary, etc…..
It is all part of what feeds my passion….it is a thrill and excitement that is ever present in discovering the next discarded treasure….and searching and gathering for the next gem to recycle, up cycle, reconstruct etc……
Here is one of the latest discarded treasures I found …..A collection of vintage Mariachi buttons. Wow! I could not contain my excitement….I anxiously came home and began to give them new life. These very cool buttons made their way onto two of my leather vest.. Others made their way into earrings. Both ideas are featured here.
The Mariachi earrings are available through my Etsy shop Mexisoul. Please stop by for a visit.
I hope you enjoy a taste of my soul!
http://www.mexisoul.etsy.com

Amor Eterno.....

Amor Eterno.....Eternal Love. The words themselves sound so beautiful...a love that last forever. If we are lucky we meet that special someone sometime through out our lives that we share that timeless love with.....something that never goes away. It simply continues. A love everlasting!

This original Design is created with Ink on Handmade Bark Paper called Amate. Amate paper is made by the Otomoi Indians of mexico. A tradition passed down for over 3000 years. Matted on recycled wood.

"Dia de Los Muertos"

The Day of the Dead...."Dia de los Muertos" is a celebration honoring the life of those that have passed on. It is a traditional celebration from Mexico as well as Central and South American cultures. It is believed that death is a part of the cycle of life, a time to remember loved ones that are gone, but not forgotten. During this time it is believed that the spirit of the dead are invited to visit their friends and relatives to enjoy festivities in their honor. In Mexico it is a tradition that November 1st is All Saints Day, a time to honor deceased infants and children and November 2nd is All Souls Day, a time to honor deceased adults. My friend Peter Perez told me once, " we are not truly dead until we are forgotten".

Matters of the Heart....

When someone says...."You do not truly know what I am going through!" They are most likely correct. Unless you have experienced the very same thing....there is no way to know. But, if it is a person that is close to you...you feel the pain and most likely would do anything to take away the sorrow or at best make it better. Sometimes not knowing what a person is going through is not the most important thing...it is to be there as a friend. A shoulder to cry on or simply to lean on when we are off balance. Matters of the heart are so delicate...but despair is a very lonely place. Open your heart to someone in need today....

Materials I used on this folk art heart are a woven placemat, felt, embroidery thread, abalone buttons, metal leafs and a tin cross from Oaxaca....I call it my Fiesta Heart!

Collect and Gather....

I find that I love to collect and gather little gems that speak to me. When these little gems make their way into a piece of jewelry it is very satisfying and makes the collecting all the more fun. In honest...I never dreamed I would be making jewelry of any kind and do not consider myself a jewelry designer. I simply play with the materials that work for me and am always surprised by the end result. I find pleasure in taking apart an old jewelry piece and giving it new life! I enjoy materials like wooden beads, Milagros, copper, hemp, Afghanistan dress flowers...and of course a lot of recycled anything just to name a few. My pieces tend to have a funky flair and sometimes I think I am the only one that really likes them. Then, a gentle gratification comes when a piece sells. An encouragement to keep creating!

Cross Roads....

As we go through our lives we are constantly hitting cross roads. Some are a normal part of life……others are complicated and painful. In all instances it is a chance to change and grow. If we look closely most times a clear path is already open for us to take. The ones that cause our hearts turmoil and an internal sadness need intimate soul searching.

This is a deeply personal piece to me…it represents Faith…Music…Love. The challenging crossroads require all three.

I used muslin, felt, embroidery thread and many hours of hand stitching.