Memory History and Creativity

Start typing and press
Enter to search

The Things They Carry with Them and the Things They Bring Back

By: ornamento.blog May 22, 2014May 19, 2014

ArtMemorial Day, Memory History and Creativity, Personal History3 Comments

They bring back more than mementos that end up fading in scrapbooks. And they always leave behind something they can never get back. It’s easy to miss this among the flag waving, parades, speeches and ceremonies. Those of us who have not shared these experiences simply cannot comprehend what they have given. But we don’t need to understand to show out gratitude.

Dad'sWW2Wallet 024

I found the religious card and passes in a wallet that my Father carried while serving in the Army Air Corps in England during World War Two. The other pictures are of relatives and are from various wars and service branches.

Every Bead Has a Story

By: ornamento.blog January 10, 2013January 10, 2013

African Trading Beads, Art, beads, Crafting Traditions, Ethnic Groups, Ethnic Jewelry, EuropeBeads, Memory History and Creativity, Personal History1 Comment

Beads hold memories and and every bead has a story, partially known and partially buried in the past. When I finish the piece for the Blog Hop, story of the beads I’ve used will become longer and might be told later on-or not.

Most of the beads here are very old and I don’t know anything about the people who wore them. I am only the latest owner-no, I prefer to think of myself as a caretaker. I hope there will be other caretakers.

I will use some of the beads you see below in my piece for the Memories and Thanks Blog Hop, so I thought it fitting that I should share some bead history with you.

The red disks (above) are African Vulcanite Heishi beads made from old phonograph records. The brass comes from vintage jewelry that has seen a lot of use. The glass beads (above) are African sand cast beads, millefiore (actually Venetian but traded widely in Africa) and interlocking “snake” beads (above) called African for the same reason even though they are of Czech origin.

Millefiore Beads

Phenolic Resin Amber

Seed beads, Krobo glass beads from Ghana, (right) brass and bone beads. Note that the Phenolic Amber is not genuine amber. It’s a simulation and some of it is highly collectable. I bought the Phenolic Amber above in Cape Town, S.A

These brass findings-to-be aren’t African but I followed an African tradition: recycling! I cut the wires off a brass wire picture holder, cleaned them and made jump rings . Then I soldered a few of the rings to straight pieces of the wire.

More Krobo Beads from Ghana.

I am thinking earrings here, maybe without the beads because I don’t want them too heavy.

Baoulé Brass, Ivory Coast, Ghana

Interested in learning more? See

Bedazzled Dictionary of Beads

But wait-there’s more–

Maruti International Beads sent me some lovely handcrafted beads to give away to lucky readers. Interested in winning some? Details coming soon, so keep checking here and my Facebook page.