Sacred Dreams Beady Blog

Guess what! It's that time again - Breast Cancer Awareness month!

Join us for the annual Gal to Gal Virtual Walk, starting October 1st! Our goal is to raise more than $250,000 for education and awareness, and grant more than 100 wishes to women with stage IV breast cancer!

This year's walk will honor Dorit Shapiro, the Gal to Gal Foundation's former president who lost her brave battle with stage IV breast cancer last year on October 12th, 2008. She leaves behind her husband and two very sweet daughters and we miss her very much. To read more about Dorit, Here are a few links:

Tribute to Dorit Video

About the Gal to Gal Foundation

Joining the walk is fun and easy! It takes as little as the cost of your favorite cup of coffee - just $5 to make a huge difference in the lives of these amazing women battling this horrible disease. Design your virtual gal or guy - chose your hair color, eyes, outfits and then watch your gal walk across the country, join a team, see your friends!

Please join us - help make a difference!



Blessings,

Debra

We're giving away a pair of Capiz or Mussel Shell Earrings! One reader says, "They South Beach chic!" (thanks Esther). Can be made in almost any color with silver or gold earwires.

To be entered into the drawing, click the link below and leave a comment on the earrings you'd like to win from our Etsy site (or a custom pair - name the colors). It's that easy! Contest will run for a week and end on 8/17/09. So hurry and get your entry in!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER AND LEAVE A COMMENT

Warmly,
Debra

There are many schools of thought as to the exact origin of Amulet bags or pouches. Generally, the accepted mythology is that they originated with early Native American and Aboriginal tribes.

According to American Indian Art, A leather bag is better suited for carrying certain objects than a pot or basket is, and native North Americans tended to place great importance on how well-matched a carrying case was to its contents. Not only were native bags specially sized and shaped to hold an individual type of object, they were often decorated to indicate precisely what belonged inside of them. There were two very basic styles of American Indian bags: soft pouches, made of tanned animal hides (usually deerskin or elkskin), and parfleche, made of stiff rawhide. Some modern Indian artists blur the two traditions by creating tanned buckskin purses with rawhide siding on the inside to give it the boxy parfleche look. Regardless of their material, Native American bags were often painted, beaded, or quilled with the characteristic tribal designs of the craftsperson (usually a woman) who made it--particularly if the bag was designed to hold something sacred, such as a medicine bag or tobacco bag, or was being made as regalia for a fiance, daughter or son. In recent centuries the great specificity of Indian bag design began to change, with the development of the catch-all "possible bag" that could be used to transport any of one's possessions. Today, both specific and possible bags are still being made and decorated by artists from many different tribes, and they continue to be a lively and practical part of native life, much more so than baskets or pottery (which are generally treated only as artwork these days). Since non-native women also like to carry a purse or handbag, Indian bags are commonly made as trade items today as well.

Today, amulet bags our pouches have expanded to be worn by many as popular jewelry and are made in a variety of materials, including seed beads, leather, fur, suede, etc. With the advent of beading programs, such as BeadCreator, stunning and realistic designs can be beaded into bags to be worn as necklaces. Ramona Lee, of Victorian and Edwardian Crochet, says "Amulet bags are generally worn at HEART LEVEL. In ancient times they were used by Native tribes to carry herbs or things to ward off evil spirits. In other words, they were sometimes worn for protection. They were also used to carry precious mementos of loved ones, or prayers.If you have a family member or friend who is going through a tough time you can put prayers in it for them. Every time you look at or touch the bag you will be reminded to send them love and prayers. Love is very powerful for healing the mind, body, or spirit. Also, if you have small gifts that others have given you, you can put those in the bag. Gifts from family and friends are generally gifts of love, even if it's just a card or a tiny piece of the card. Gifts of love are thought to hold the energy of love for the recipient of the gift. So if you are feeling down or in need of love or just want to be reminded of the fullness of the love that already exists in your life put those special gifts from loved ones in your bag. Today most people just wear them as jewelry, others sometimes put crystals in them."

Beaded amulet bags are generally created in peyote stitch, which is beaded one bead at a time, sometimes taking months to complete a complex pattern. They retail for anywhere between $45 - $800, depending on the seller and complexity of the design and materials used. Patterns and pattern books can be bought for some amazing designs. Here's one (right) from Enid Taylor that you can purchase at Amazon.com.

Yes, new items are so much fun! Have several here to show off!


Capiz Shell Earrings
These are so much fun to wear. Dangly and flirty, full of color - they're great with any outfit, swimwear, or cute summer dress! Can be created in any color combination, too!



These will go well with evening wear too and can have added pearls or Swarovski crystals to them. Made with 14k gold earwires or sterling silver earwires - they're a MUST have for summer!





Red Choker Set
This stunning set is made from glass, ceramic, and crystal beads. The choker fits snugly against the throat. Matching bracelet and earrings compliment the look. Pewter clasps, silver-plated earwires.





Light Blue Elegant Bracelet


This one-of-a kind beautiful bracelet is a gorgeous addition for those who love elegant wrist wear. Magnetic wire keeps its shape! Pewter findings and light blue & clear glass crystal beads. Sparkles!



That's it for the new products! These all will be added to our online etsy store within the next couple of days!

http://healersmoon.etsy.com

Works in progress: New chokers inspired by the House of Night series!

Until then, Blessed be and keep on beading!

Debra

Welcome to Beady Blog!

The purpose of this blog is to bring you a weekly or bi-weekly tidbit on beading and jewelry making, including patterns, guest blogs, featured bead and jewelry sites, and commentary on beadworking and jewelry-making in general.

I have been beading for about 20 years now. I started Sacred Dreams Beadwork with my late god-daughter, Katie Marie Prosser, in 1999. Since then, the business has gone through many changes - most recently a complete site overhaul and change in hosts. I've added quite a few new products (and taken some away) as I envision new designs, splurge on new materials, and get feedback from friends and family. It's a life's work-in-progress - my passion.

It is my hope you'll subscribe and check back often to see what new things we have. Check our website and online store to see the new products and ideas. And of course, if you have ideas, comments, or questions, please be sure to let me know.

Until next time,

Debra