Oh, So You're Not a Beader?

It was a warm night on September 12, 1995. I was hanging out with one of my friends at this rock club I NEVER went to. For some reason on that night I was drawn there. At midnight I knew why. In walks this exotic looking, tall guy standing at least 6 feet tall. He had long wavy dark hair. It was love at first sight.

I started talking to this handsome guy and asked him what he did for a living. He said he made jewelry. I'm not sure how many of you know him but he doesn't "make jewelry". He creates art. Anyway I visualized some kind of simple beading they do down on 4th Avenue during the Street Fair. Now I'm not knocking beading because I have a friend, Dini that makes the most incredible bead art I've ever seen (check it here, http://www.beadazzledoforegon.com//).

Since we met two weeks before my birthday, Ron and I decided to go to this local club we both liked for some music and celebration (Back then I could really get my party on..lol). Anyway we got there and Ron pulls out this kleenex wrapped around something small. If you know Ron, you know he always wraps jewelry in kleenex (soft and no scratching). I couldn't believe it when I unwrapped the kleenex only to find the most beautiful piece of jewelry I had ever owned. Part of what made it so beautiful was the fact he made it for me but the other was it was shiny, colorful with the Turquoise, Sugilite and Coral and of course it was stunning.

I have worn this piece almost everyday for the last 14 years. I'll never part with it.

You'll see in the photos its a little dull. That's because I rarely take it off for a good polish.

http://www.tribeazure.com/specialItemlist.asp?Type=Custom+Jewelry&MainGroup=Jewelry

Who Says Snakes are Scary?

The picture of the day is the Snake bracelet my better half refuses to be without. He has often told me his mother would never have approved of such a thing. Apparently the Navajos do not care for snakes and therefore do not like jewelry made in the form of them. Who would have guessed this to be...:) When I thought about it, I had to find out exactly why Navajos hate snakes. Here is what I learned: The poisonous snake on Navajo land were a real threat to Navajos and their livestock. The snake is also a symbol of the lightning people and brings rain to the dry land. While the only significant venomous snakes present are the rattlesnakes, all snakes are avoided. Snakes are seen in Navajo sandpaintings and other artworks. If you go here, http://www.navajocentral.org/navajotaboos/taboos_nature.html you will find all kinds of far-out superstitions. No wonder Ron didn't obey the rules. :)

This particular bracelet came to be when a lady called and wanted a snake on a leather strap for her son. Ron hadn't worked with leather nor snakes at that point. He decided to give it a shot. He liked it so much he decided it was something he might wear himself. That was several years ago. Since then he has had to repair the leather more than once from wear and tear. He plays pool as a hobby and rarely does he leave the house without this "Lucky Snake" bracelet. I know one of the reasons he considers it a lucky bracelet. He calls it the Intimidator. HEHE. I know he's kidding but it's funny all the same. Frankly, I think he likes the way it looks on his arm when he's holding the pool cue. I've known him to drive 3 miles back to his casa to get this slithering good luck charm.

Check it out here, http://www.tribeazure.com/showitem.asp?ID=170&MainGroup=Jewelry&SubGroup=Bracelets%2DSterling+Silver