Like a Prayer...

From March 2008 to March 2009, I was deployed to Iraq.  About once a month, vendors would come on base to sell "local wares" which were memorable events, if only because it broke up the monotony of deployed life.  At one of bazaars, I bought two strings of prayer beads.  One was a set of "amber" and one was a large heavy strand of green glass beads shaped like flowers.  Once I had them in my room though, I couldn't bring myself to cut them apart and make jewelry.  It felt like I would be tempting fate or karma or whatever to mess around with prayer beads while living in the Middle East.  Now it's December 2010, and I think it's time to repurpose what surely provided comfort to others into something fun to wear - a comfort of a different kind?  (That's totally stretching it, but I'm going with it.)  Here is a look at the beads...


I have an idea working for the amber, and something in mind for the green beads, although they are very heavy, irregularly shaped, and have really large holes.   And I have many of them.  If you want a couple let me know!

I am thinking about playing with Ice Resin this weekend, have any good tips?

5 Comments

  1. Lori PDecember 3, 2010 at 9:25 PM

    I think they're pretty and with the sentimental (?) value, I'd make something fun for myself. Can't wait to see what you do.

    ReplyDelete
  2. TesoriTrovatiDecember 3, 2010 at 10:28 PM

    Yes! Make sure you have a LOT of things to resin. You will have more mixed up than you need so overprepare! If you have bubbles, wave a heat gun or a lit flame (it won't catch on fire) over the pieces and the bubbles will rise to the top and pop. Make it all up and pour at night. Cover with an overturned plastic container (a cake keeper works well) so that dust doesn't get on it then go to bed. This will help you resist the urge to touch it and get finger smudges. If you do get smudges. After it is set you can use a brush to paint a thin layer on. No more smudges!
    Be prepared for messes and unpredictability. But have fun with it!
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

    ReplyDelete
  3. ewabeadsDecember 4, 2010 at 8:26 AM

    I love the beads! I'm sure it was the best part about being deployed! Hahahaha! I bet you won't find anything like that in the states. Objects and Elements website has good tips for Ice Resin. They sell a 1 oz. Push and Stir so you can use a little at a time. Deryn Mentock has a video on their site explaining how to use it. Have fun! Can't wait to see what you make with it!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownDecember 4, 2010 at 10:51 AM

    Oh I can't wait to see what you do with the resin. I want to hear all about it!

    Those beads need a special place to call home and be close to you go with your heart!

    ReplyDelete
  5. ReginaDecember 4, 2010 at 6:57 PM

    Can't wait to see what you make with the beads from Iraq! I think you should make something for yourself. Can't help with the resin, have not tried it myself. Have fun this weekend!

    ReplyDelete

Powered by Blogger.