The idea to create Talismans for Grounding, 2 separate necklaces that I designed to potentially be worn together, began when I acquired the very specail collection of beads on the strand shown below. It’s always a favorite errand when I visit Boulder to shop at Nomad Beads. Jacob March, who I will be writing about next time, is a trusted merchant and friend. He steers me toward special beads that you don’t find elsewhere.
Strand of beads as they were at Nomad Beads
Jake explained that it is a very interesting, diverse collection. He amazes me that he can go through one by one identifying their origin and age. In this strand there is; Djenne Hand Carved Carnelian 900 AD, Indian Hand Carved Carnelian, Idar- Oberstein Agate, Ancient Djenne Nila Glass, Venetian Green Heart 1700 AD, Dead Sea Hebron Glass 1800, Bohemian Vaseline Glass, Antique Bohemian Glass Beads, Red Bohemian Glass 1935, Antique Venetian Pulled Millefiori Bead, Antique Syrian Folded Glass Bead. It takes much study to identify beads because of their nature of being treasured and past all around the world.
“Talisman for Grounding 2”, detail showing antique Antique Venetian Pulled Millefiori Bead, Venetian Green Heart 1700 AD & Antique Bohemian Glass Beads
Jake had never seen this type of Venetian Pulled Millefiori Bead, and took a photograph of it for his records. Also show on the image about are some beautiful Djenne Nila Glass , see below for more information. I used some of my all time favorite beads, Venetian White Heart, 1890 AD as spacers between the larger beads.
“Talisman for Grounding 2”, detail showing antique Djenne Carnelian & Antique Syrian Folded Glass Bead
Also shown in the image above is a great orange Antique Bohemian Glass Bead. The Turquoise colored one was added to Talisman for Grounding 1.
“Talisman for Grounding 1” detail showing Djenne Carved Carnelian, Bohemian Vaseline Bead
“Talisman for Grounding 1” detail showing Idar-Oberstein Agate, Bohemian Beads & Venetian Green Heart 1700 AD
In a previous visit Jake had sold me some Nila beads from Djenne . Most of these beads probably arrived in Mali around 1000 years ago, via the ancient trade routes to Djenné from other areas of Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Many have been buried beneath the Sahara Desert sands for centuries. The result of being buried is that a white coating of calcium, dentrification, forms over the glass. When the coating is removed, the color of the glass, often blue or green is revealed.
“Talisman for Grounding 1”, necklace by Kathleen O’Brien
Ancient Hebron beads, (the yellow bead next to the pink Bohemian pear shape) are also referred to as Kano beads and are believed to have been made by utilizing salt acquired from the Dead Sea for alkali in the bead making process. These beads date from the 12th Century to the early 1800’s and were made in Hebron/West Bank, Israel. These ancient Hebron beads were traded into Africa long ago via trade routes. These Hebron trade beads which were once plentiful have been mostly collected, are now a rare bead to find.
“Talisman for Grounding 2”, necklace by Kathleen O’Brien
Just a reminder that you can see these necklaces for the first time in one month at Annual Open Studio ARTTOUR.