Gris-Gris

I recall as a textile student doing research cross-cultural references in fibers, the image of a horse blanket literally covered with gris-gris obtained by its owner from the local shamans in the course of his travels to insure protection on his life journeys. Over time gris-gris have been dolls or images of the gods, small cloth bags containing herbs, oils, stones, small bones, hair and nails, bits of written spells, pieces of cloth soaked with perspiration, and/or other personal items gathered under the directions of a god for the protection of the owner. In Voodoo, gris-gris are charms or talismans which are kept for good luck or to ward off evil. Here is my personal interpretation. This amulet bag measures 10 inches long, approximately 5 inches wide, the cord 28 inches long.

Love in an uncertain world

A new/different direction from other neckpieces, my first with a “story” open to interpretation; it is composed of coiled, knit, crocheted, and stitched telephone and magnet copper wire, assorted beads, a couple of acupuncture needle covers, the cut/ partially frayed “heart” of an unfinished spirit doll, and a screw closure. It is also considerably more of a “burden” than the featherweight magnet wire cousins, weighs in at 3.5 oz./88 gms.