IKAN artware

Someone To Watch Over Me

2008-07-08T20:48:00.000-07:00

Resources: snap ring, copper exhaust pipe found in a farmer's dump, copier guts, hematite bead, agate.

I received a request from my 'sisters' at Safe Haven of Pike County, to design an amulet gift for Diane who was leaving our PCAR (Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape) / RYOT(Rallying Youth Organizers Together) group. Diane was described to me as a loving, generous, adventurous, free spirited woman. Agate is known as the stone of transformation- a powerful metaphysical stone that fosters love, abundance, protection, and opens one to innate creative talents. Teal is the symbolic color adopted nationwide by sexual assault awareness organizations. The shape of the metal copier component reminds me of a woman of action, energy streaming, as she flies towards new challenges. Good luck Diane!

Tear of Joy

2008-07-08T20:19:00.000-07:00

Resources: shell, Malachite, copper wire, antique rhinestone circlet and rhinestone.

Tears flow when emotions are bigger and stronger than our beautiful clumps of material body can contain. Salty and cleansing, they glisten. Of course, our noses run too and the mascara streaks down our cheeks! But not all tears are from sadness and frustration– this is a tear of joy. The shell is resonant of saltwater and the armor of body that protects the soul. Malachite was a symbol of joy to the Egyptians and its healing power relieves anxiety and stress. The rhinestones sparkle, happily. Wear this amulet to celebrate your infinite spirit. $50.00

Medieval Compass

2008-05-29T07:53:00.000-07:00

Resources: retaining ring hardware, barbed wire fencing knot, rhinestones

The word knot could be defined as a term of speed or a unification or a mystery. I love that contrast in definitions and this piece is all about the rough and weathered wire, cradling the glittery rhinestone, supported by a machined object that was designed with the main function of holding moving parts together! Again, I refer in this piece to the sacred circle focusing tool, N=spiritual, S=physical, W= emotional, E= rational and of course, never leave your center.$60.00- sold Daria D. a woman of contrasts, chose this amulet for her own.

Wu Wei

2008-05-27T15:25:00.000-07:00

Christina H. claimed this one (above)

Resources: snap/retaining ring hardware, tractor grille, beach glass.

Micro-managing? Trying to control everything that's coming at you? Overwhelmed by the smallest details?

Wu Wei, an aspect of Taoism, involves knowing when to act and when not to act- when caught in the middle of the rushing river, don't struggle against it, yield- let the river do the work. The aim is to achieve equilibrium, a soft and invisible power. The symbol for Wu Wei is a circle. The grille represents a flexible inner strength. The sharp edges of glass are softened by the tumbling in water.

Lao Tzu says it best in Chapter 78:

Nothing in the world is weaker

or more yielding than water.

Yet nothing is its equal

in wearing away the hard and strong.

There is nothing quite like it.

Thus the weak can overpower the strong;

the flexible can overcome the rigid.

The whole world can perceive this,

but does not put it into practice.

excerpt from The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu translated by Stephen Mitchell

Wear this amulet and float with the currents $60.00

kNOT so Simple...

2008-05-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

Resources: barbed wire fencing from a hike in the woods, rhinestones from my great-grandmother's shoebox of assorted miscellany.

Who am I? There's power in knowing that answer. Give up the limits to your potential-move past the old conditioning. Be 'present'. Release your need for distraction and stay in the center. The sacred circle is a focusing tool: North= spiritual. South= physical. East= mental activity. West= emotion. The healing energy of a diamond eases insecurity; these rhinestones glitter with confidence! $40.00

Lauren C. owns a kNOT so Simple amulet and will surely dazzle!

Fragment of Joy

2008-05-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

Resources: Shell from LBI shore. Malachite:healing energy of Malachite dispels stress + anxiety, and is the ancient Egyptian symbol of joy, the color of new life / rebirth. Copper: essential element, conductive.

DNA tells us WHAT we are. But WHO we are is always changing. Tumbled and run aground, this shell reminds us we can reclaim our lives and redirect our purpose. Focused, at the center, is the possibility of joy and rebirth. I think of the copper wire as The Conductor, directing and connecting the power of the amulet to its wearer. $50.00 - Cindy S. chose this amulet for her own.

RiverQueen

2008-04-29T18:16:00.000-07:00

Resources: Metallic gold polymer clay, beach glass, hematite beads, copier guts and river flood mystery metal. Inspired by the river at night:

We sit on the river bank. The sidelines. Thirsty. Out of ideas. Immobilized. Unsure.

Jump back in. Floating. Carried away. Revived in the moonlight.

When you feel parched and stagnant, wear this. $ 50.00- Sheila K-H chose this amulet.

STARwarrior

2008-04-29T14:57:00.000-07:00

Resources: Metal from caulk tube cap (retrieved from a construction site burn barrel), timeclock gear, chocolate wrapper, electronics component, cubic zirconia. The mark-making on this amulet is based on aboriginal symbols.

As a rule, I don't advocate for aggression. This pendant was created for the battle with have with ourselves- we forget our power, we forget our shine. We struggle to be assertive. Wear this and project your inner warrior woman- star powerful and brilliant. $60.00 - Christina H. chose this amulet.

Yin/Yang

2008-04-29T13:51:00.000-07:00

The sources for this pendant: snap/retaining ring hardware, tractor grille, black tahitian pearls & white pearls from my great grandmother's multi-strand necklace.

I rescued these pearls from broken strands of her necklace which I found in a box of ephemeral mementos from her life. I can't vouch for the authenticity of the pearls, but I can promise that they were worn by a hard-working, tough, feminine, creative, 4'8" Eastern European woman who immigrated to this country in the early 1900s and used her skills to build a modest life.

This yin/yang version was inspired by her ability to tackle and wrassle with the dark and light that life threw at her and thrive. Wear this and carry the story forward. $100.00

Journey through Babel

2008-04-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

The source for this pendant was mined from the guts of a copy machine. The mark-making inspiration comes from various aboriginal designs and story telling symbols. Wear it as a reminder to view life through your own eyes when the babble of the world around you overwhelms your inner voice. It is your journey and your story to tell. $50.00

Lisa's Warrior Amulet

2008-03-04T08:05:00.000-08:00

My personal amulet is inspired by the 4 points of a simple sacred wheel:South=physical, West=emotion, North=spirit, East= mind. If I go around the wheel with a problem, abstract concepts become more understandable and it generates confidence. Or I wear it just because it looks great!