The inspiration for “Talismans for Wandering Stars, Celebration, and Hope” came in suddenly the other day to repurpose face masks I designed through Society6. The designs I chose came from paintings I loved in the first place, and loved choosing the details from the painting to print in the second place.

A lot of time was spent removing all the stitches, it was meditational work. It has been a pleasure to embellish my own art with rare beads, antique buttons, pearls and embroidery, cushioned with wool roving inside. I had a funny thought that the back side, could double as an eye cover on an airplane. See them first this Saturday at Open Studio!

Why would I go to the trouble to repurpose masks? I’m done with masks, and am not going to sell the cloth ones that don’t work. I love a challenge of transformation; removing stitches, as if from a surgery – slowly, patiently. Frugality. The printed fabric is beautiful, worthy of embellishment. Power to the wrist, wrist comfort. When not being worn, it can be wall art.

Talisman wrist cuffs by Kathleen O’Brien as wall art

Talisman for Wandering Stars

Talisman for Wandering Stars has antique Lapis and silver pendant, pearls, seed beads, appliqued found embroidered star, embroidered on repurposed mask fabric design by Kathleen O’Brien, one of a kind Ghana style bead button by Mark Roberts.

Talisman for Wandering Stars, found in the field embroidered star on wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien

Talisman for Wandering Stars, one of a kind Ghana style bead button by Mark Roberts on wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien

Talisman for Wandering Stars, antique Lapis and silver pendant, pearls on wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien

Talisman for Wandering Stars, back side of wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien

Talisman for Wandering Stars, inside stitching and roving, wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien

Talisman for  Celebrating

Talisman for Celebrating has antique faceted “jet” bead, antique horn beads, pearl, seed beads, old pressed bead, new fire bead, embroidery on repurposed mask fabric design by Kathleen O’Brien, antique glass button.

Talisman for Celebrating, wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien

Talisman for Celebrating, back side of wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien

Talisman for Celebrating, wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien

Talisman for Celebrating, wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien

Talisman for Celebrating, wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien

Talisman for Celebrating, wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien

Talisman for Hope

Talisman for Hope has antique Venetian white heart beads, antique iridescent faceted beads, on repurposed mask fabric design by Kathleen O’Brien, antique button.

Talisman for Hope, wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien

Talisman for Hope, wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien

Talisman for Hope, wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien

Talisman for Hope, wrist cuff by Kathleen O’Brien