Find Your Tribe

6/5/2021

This collection is all about tribes.
Both the tribes people are born into and the tribes people choose.
While I don't know the specific names of the tribes I am celebrating, I used components from tribes in locations such as: Africa, Afghanistan, & Ancient Rome.

Many of my designs feature African trade beads. Most of the trade beads I used were created in Venice and traded in Africa.
Some of these beads are vintage and some are antique.
I also used beads that were handcrafted in Africa using techniques passed down from generation to generation.

I have several pieces celebrating The Day of the Dead.
The Day of the Dead is a celebration of life and death that originated in Mexico.
While Mexico has indigenous tribes that trace their ancestry to groups of people living in that area before the Spanish arrived, my collection focuses on this, specific holiday.
In my research for this collection, I was overwhelmed by the number of people who define themselves by their love of this celebration.
A quick search on Pinterest will bring up thousands of Day of the Dead related ideas. There's pins on: Home decor, jewelry, wedding, clothing, food, parties, & more!

Many of the accent beads in this collection are from Afghanistan.
I especially relied on olive wood spacers that were handmade in Afghanistan.
Afghani Lapis also features prominently in several pieces.

Finally, while Ancient Rome is far from being the first tribal society, it is the oldest society with which I am well acquainted. While at Hope College, I minored
in Ancient Civilizations simply because the subject fascinates me.
So, in honor of my love of Ancient Rome, I added a piece
created with Roman Glass beads.
Roman Glass is glass from the time of the Roman Empire that was excavated in modern times and made into beads. This glass was most likely in the form of amphora.
Think of amphora as being ancient Tupperware.
Part of what makes Roman Glass so desirable is that
during its time in the ground, the glass develops a gorgeous patina.
It is beautiful!

While creating this collection, it became clear that there is so much more to
tribal-inspired jewelry than any specific tribe.
For me, it is a celebration of our collective love of beauty and adornment and the varied artistry of cultures both around the world and throughout time.

Please enjoy perusing my collection.
If there is a piece about which you would like more information, please click on the picture and you will be taken to its Etsy listing.