My Patron Saints- No.1

"Feet, why do I need them if I have wings to fly?"

I guess that term, "patron saint" would be the best way to describe the following inspirations of mine. I'll be writing about a few of my dearest idols over the coming weeks. Long before I even thought I would design and create jewelry I was mesmerized by the work...the life and the legacy of Frida Kahlo.

I don't quite know where to start on the enormous affection I have for this woman. It's true that I have never "met" Frida, but have I? Have I indeed met her through the legacy of work she has left me to see, all of us to see?
When I was pregnant with my first son, Amir, I translated her diary from Spanish to English , just so I could learn in depth her words. I begain collecting Muertos and Ofrendas, retratos of her, I became enthralled with her existence, her creations as I created my child.


When I think of the parallels between our lives, it gives me a bit of a chill. Without getting overly personal, both our beloved fathers suffer from a like illness, I too had a life changing tragedy physically as a teenage girl, and I too am involved with political activism. My love for my partner/husband/friend is that that I cannot explain, their is no corny card or gift that I can obtain to express it, it's deep and personal and evident as was her feeling for Diego, although he happens to be a womanizer...and I love monkies :) But Frida is Frida, I look to the commonalities of our lives as just that, commonalities, it's just my luck that I have the pleasure to even relate to her majestic life.

It's her way, talent and radicalness that leaves me in awe. The irony of this colorful art with the dark tales and the unequivocal beauty behind them is a gift to th world.

"I hope the exit is joyful - and I hope never to return"


In our bathroom.

Yo Momma and Mines

Happy Dia De Las Mamas!!!!
You better do right by yours, lord knows it can be hard, but so what love her crazy.
Painting:kmberggren.etsy.com

I went to a playground on the Hudson today, the babies played and ruined their clothes, my mom was there too...my husband cleaned the car and made me dinner. It was a great day.

Lucky Me, Lucky You

Luck...it seems that no matter who, pagans, monotheists, polytheists, all kinds of believers always believe in luck. Through out mankind's history we see evidence of this. Well, I was using the fifteen minutes of free time I have when the boys are eating breakfast (no wonder it's called "break-fast"), and snooped around Flickr to find these Hand of Fatima doors in southern Spain and Portugal where the Moors, Berbers and Arabs ruled for hundreds of years. These exquisite door handles were crafted into "hands of Fatima" as signs of luck to ward off evil and malice from the dwellers of each home. You can see the European spin on the style.

I chose the name The Hand of Fatima for many reasons, one main one being that everything is made by hand, another being I love the name Fatima, and finally, a little luck can't hurt, even when you're not the most superstitious person, why not cover your bases?


Photos from the following AMAZING photographers on Flickr...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54427714@N00/395600505/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lxavian/3010927580/
jsprhmsn:bcn
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alfonsogamo/3456913496/in/pool-aldabasyaldabones

BUST Magazine Craftacular and Art Star Philly

Did I ever tell you, I fell in love in Philadelphia? It's true I left N.Y.C. and tried something new, went to school and met my soul mate in a public speaking class...I guess you can say the rest is "history" and the future.
Philadelphia is haunted. There are spirits and grimy tales everywhere around the ex-industrial city. Unfortunately historic and colonial Philly is plagued with bad management and issues of crime, so there are just warehouses, factories and empty turn of the century homes abandoned and decaying. However, the greatest testament to this city of spooks is The Divine Lorraine Hotel.
After my husband, and Clarke Park, I fell in love with this place. It's abandoned and stands isolated on Broad Street. If you look at it for too long, you will become entranced.

I'm sure that when corruption forces the locals to leave and city officials and realtors decide to gentrify that this beautiful and unique structure will be turned into luxury condos or knocked down, but I only hope that the Philadelphians will fight for it...and knowing many Philadelphians, they will. Boomer, who is like my brother, told me to ask his mother about what this place was like, and although she was just a child when it closed down, she told her mother's tales of its shine.

I would do many insane things to get inside this place. To get the key tags, the escutcheons, and just walk through the ghostly hallways and spider webs.
Why all the talk of Philadelphia?? Well, I'll be at the Art Star Craft Bazaar on May 30-31 (memorial day weekend) @ Penns Landing.

I can't wait to catch up with my peeps and walk around another haunted neighborhood, Northern Liberties, a friendly way to say the beginning of North Philly. If you ever want to see another spooked out hood try Kensington...you've gotta look at that place with a certain kind of eye to understand what I am talking about. You can almost see the steam rising above the abandoned factories off of Allegheny Avenue and down by Frankford Ave. You can just feel the grit, no women in corsets with wigs and Victorian lockets...work and workers, immigrants and natives building lives, legacy and a nation on creating things.


Next Sunday, May 17th...I will be at BUST Mag's Spring Fling in Brooklyn. I've added all these events to the calendar on the website. Love Love Love!!


*Thanks to Prof. Jas. Mundie on Flickr.com for this beautiful photo of the hotel. I found this artist's stream through google and am now inspired.

Fanciful Fobs and Circuses

Today I have two new creations in total contrast of one another. A minimalist, antique watch fob, hanging in all its gold filled Victorian glory, from a simple vintage brass chain, sprayed with faux pearls. Lovely no?
Next I have added to the shop a wild and eccentric mix of sordid sorts...a circus inspired charm fest, antique doll leg, antique secret society medal, chandelier prism, skeleton key, sterling clown, watch face!!
Very steampunk, very noir, very The Hand Of Fatima!

All Things Considered

All things considered...no, not Melissa Block and Michelle Norris, my life!
Wow, so alot is going on...so many political things in my other job, and in my first job as mother...some exciting new developments, Rami, at 10 and a half months walked!!! They want to make me work...hard.

So, spring is here, I have many a new additions to the line, and I have a secret stash that will be going up on my website by May 2009.

I've been focusing on a face lift of sorts, I am in the works for a new logo, a really exciting old piece of leather miniature from a special country came into my possession, and inspired me.

Also, the "mens" line, well what I meant to say was a line, marketed more towards men, but truly a, his, hers and them line. I am a feminist, so if I make something, it for a man, best believe it will also suit a woman...no pun intended. (suit...)

A new addition of head pieces will make there way to the website, fatimacouture.com.
Also, I have finally used those bones I've had. The line "Voodoo" is a take on the ever lasting drive for man/womankind to use other species for inspiration and mystical representation, along with the seedy diaspora of voodoo...sprinkle some mourning jewelery from the Victorian era, and voila!

I am sorry to all my vegans out there, but believe that these animals came from a professional taxidermist and were not killed for the bones, they were already dead, found or donated by an animal hospital.

I must say my vending over the holidays brought me in contact with some great new customers who offered great feedback. Many requested bones, and so many dudes were intrigued, which was a grand compliment.

Back to work!

Forgive Me!

I have been MIA!! I know, but you all have to understand, I have an entire secret life away from my jewelery inventing persona. LOL! Anyway, I have soooooooooooooo many new things coming to the shop, I also have been playing around with some things that are going to be a bit shocking...shhhh. More news when I actually bare fruit from the play. Hmmm. what else have we??
Good news and bad news: The oh so loved, "Bonded" human body casket tag bracelet will soon be discontinued. Unfortunately, well, you know what, I want to be diplomatic, let's just say I want designs that I choose (and actually can) to reproduce to be exclusive. So, good news, I am going to develop my mens line this month. I am so excited because at every show I do, I always have such enthusiastic fellows that would love stuff for themselves.

Happy belated New Year and Chinese New Year!!!
According to my girl Yin in Singapore, it's also the birthday of humanity today! Happy B-Day humanity!!!