urbanrosary

Mandala's Magic

Thinking of my mom who passed away in July of 2011, I was inspired to use some chandelier prisms that she found for me at an estate sale.  I remember when she revealed the box full of these amazing prisms! I have not seen any prisms like this anywhere or since.  

My mom was "my perfect mom", and I miss her on so much and on so many levels.  One thing I miss is her vision, her creativity, and her support in my vision of making devotional art bottles.  She was always on the hunt for findings.  Saturday, January 27th would had been her 77th birthday.  So, I've kept these prisms for a long time in order to decide what should become of them.  I wanted to make something that was special, that could be used in a devotional altar...a place of focus...then one day, the idea of a mandalas came to me.  So from these prisms, vintage bottles, and other findings these devotional bottles were born and named.

STELLA BLUE MANDALA

This devotional piece is a cobalt blue olive oil bottle that I have had for 10 years.  It is topped with a mandala of vintage chandelier prisms.  Photos do not capture the heaviness of the prisms and the light they omit.  This bottle stands 23 inches tall...

I added a blue rosary with other crystals and a vintage medallion.  

The price of this piece is $195

SUNSHINE DAYDREAM MANDALA

Vintage crystals and findings top this heart shaped bottle.

The price of this devotional art bottle is $175, and is 16 inches tall. (It does not include the rosary)

CLARITY

Clear, bright, bold and beautiful.  This devotional bottle is 22 inches tall and is made with vintage deco chandelier prisms that are heavy and bold.

Price.  $185

I have one more devotional mandala that I am going to present.  I am presently adding the finishing touches and will present it on the 27th of January.

Just going with the flow

While watching the documentary "HAPPY", which is a study about the psychology of happiness while exploring various cultures around the world, there was a mention of the concept of just "being in the flow". The flow of work, the flow of play, the flow of life.  Flow comes in a variety of ways.

Happiness for me in many things, but "being in the flow" of those things is what makes me happy or content.  Doing yoga is a form of "flow" that brings me happiness, balance, and contentment.

Doing my art also puts me in the flow.  These recent creations of mine brought me into the "flow of creating"...finding the antique bottles, the little glimmering vintage crystals, the glass prisms, the rosary pieces. All of individual pieces speak to me...and so an object comes to life and is born out of that flow.  In photos I try and capture their essense.  

Ranging from small 4" tall to 26" tall...embellished with all kind of loveliness.  You can contact me here if you are interested in a purchase or have a special request.

 

Shelled Delights

Once again, inspired by seashells and vintage bottles I created altar pieces that reflect the ocean.

Green the Color for the Heart Chakra

HEART CHAKRA - FOURTH CHAKRA

Located near the center of the breastbone or sternum, this chakra represents higher consciousness and love. The Heart chakra is associated with the heart, thymus gland, lower lung and circulatory system.

The heart chakra acts as the balance point for all the chakras. It governs our relationships and how we interact with other people. A balanced heart chakra is expressed in acceptance of self and others, personal values and ethics, following one's unique direction in life.

A balanced Heart Chakra means expansion, freedom and growth. 

Some signs that the Heart Chakra is out of balance are:

• Lack of self discipline
• Difficulty in relationships
• An attempt to live vicariously through another
• Dependence on someone else for your happiness

 HEART CHAKRA - Color

The color associated with the heart chakra is Green. Green symbolizes harmony, creativity, health, abundance and nature. It is the combining of yellow (soul) and blue (spirit). Green, nature's color, offers new energy and revitalizes tired nerves.

All the green stones - emerald, green tourmaline, malachite, jade, chrysoprase, dipotase, peridot, aventurine, moss agate, green jasper - are used with the heart chakra.

This creation of utilizing green was really inspirational for me.  The vintage avon bottle in the shape of a bell, the green vintage chandelier crystal along with clear crystals and beads brought this altered bottle to life.  The center of the cross is a sterling silver top of a salt and pepper shaker.  The ladriat necklace of green, blue crystals drapes over the piece.  The necklace was given to me by my grandmother.  She is the one who inspired me to start creating altar pieces because of her own personal altar. 

Memory Preserved

John Whitenight Glass Domes -- French cemetery scene with hair from Sophie Henry, deceased, age 21, (1881).

In nearly every Victorian parlor, beside the overstuffed furniture and heavy draperies, stood the Parlor shade, a glass jar protecting treasured objects - natural history specimens, waxworks, automatons, and tableaux made of human hair, feather, and shells - from dust and curious fingers.

A small altar and place where memory is preserved.

The Focus of the Shell

I've been really attracted to the idea of using shells in an altar and with my devotional art bottles.  I have some pretty bottles with light bright vintage chandelier pieces forming beautiful crosses.  One is placed on a vintage crown perfume bottle and the other is on a bottle that reminds me of a sea anemone.  I embleshed the bottle with pearls and a shell...the rosary's are one that I have collected that reflect the fresh clear color of water and the sky.  I used other objects that speak to me.  A porcelain hand, a metal heart, and pretty shells.  This is my altar this week. 

Altars

I have been thinking a lot about creating altars for the devotional art bottles I make.  I realized that I have a "built in" area in my own home for things of nostaglia and focus, but many do not have that.  How about a place to "house" their bottles and other things that inspire.  I was inspired by this shell creation, that is technically a shell doll house.  I thought this would be a nice little altar area, and decided that working with shells or glass or mirror along with collage materials would be wonderful.  I have some vintage photos I have reproduced of things that are near and dear to might heart, along with colors, and textures and shapes that could be beautifully incorporated.

 

French Influence

I don't know why this little creation reminds me of Paris but it does.  I used very vintage chandelier crystals, a small mercury glass vase, vintage earring with rhinestones, and a resin rose...tiny pearls circle the base of the cross.

 

 

Going Green

I've been able to find some wonderful little things to add to my altered bottles.  Recently, everything seems to be turning up green.  Green pretty beads, green pretty bottles...and there is more to come.  So here it is...a little collection of bottles.  Nothing is over 7 inches tall...just to put things into perspective.  Using antique chandelier crystals, vintage bottles, czech fire beads, and crystals, along with  and other findings made creating this collection really pleasant. AND...not to mention green is one of my favorite colors!

Small Little Diddies

These are my little "ones"...I love taking the vintage bottles, beads, pearls, crystals, metal and all things "found" to create these little beauties.