MAGICAL GODDESS NECKLACE

MAGICAL GODDESS NECKLACE

Magical Goddess

She was noticed by many at the soiree. She was the one who waltzed in the door like she owned the grand manor house with the yacht docked in the ocean just behind and the Ferrari in the drive. Her artful movements throughout the evening were mirrored by the ethereal glitzy necklace she wore. All eyes were drawn to it. For most, it was music for the soul, partly because the jewels seemed to dance and take on a life of their own, and partly because of the regal aspect it leant to the wearer.

Close-up

My necklace is an original-one of a kind. It is 4” w by 9” h and the chain hangs 8”” from the neck. Gems are centered around one of my original clay faces. I have priced her modestly at $135.00 I can ship her out immediately. I just listed her on Etsy, where you can purchase her or you can e-mail me and we can go from there.

Shown on the Wall

Shown in the hand for size

Shown on a mannequin

Wouldn’t this colorful, vibrant Goddess be grand to wear to your next holiday soiree?

GODDESS CEREMONIAL NECKLACES

Dusty’s Fairy Woman

Beth’s custom Goddess necklace

The craft show circuit is exhausting. When I started on the circuit, I exhibited in about thirty shows a year. . As I got older, however, the constant travel was too much, and I reduced my participation to about twelve shows a year. It was at that time, about 20 years ago, that I joined the Sugarloaf Craft Shows. I exhibited at shows from as far north as Detroit Michigan to as far south as Atlanta, but most were in the D.C. area and Pennsylvania. In 1995, I met Beth Pollins at a show in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Beth purchased a few things from me and asked if I would create a special piece for her that included her late Aunt Gloria’s fur coat. She was happy with the sculpture I made for her, and I frequently saw her at succeeding shows during my years with Sugarloaf.

I retired from the shows in 2000 and had not seen Beth since. I was very surprised, then, to see her name pop up on Facebook one day asking to be my friend. Of course, I was delighted.

In August, I had a contest asking my blog readers to send ideas I could use to create a sculpture from a lifeguard chair that had been left on my front porch. Although I received many wonderful suggestions, the winning idea, the one that spoke to me most vividly, was from Beth Pollins. She envisioned not only a sculpture fashioned from the chair, but a beautiful, imaginative story to go with it (to read Beth’s story, please see my August 26, 2009 blog post). Needless to say, Beth won the contest.

While viewing my blog, Beth noticed that I had begun making custom Goddess Ceremonial Necklaces and asked me to make one for her. I’m always amazed at how much I learn about people when I begin making one of these necklaces. Even though I had known Beth for years, I gained a completely different perspective on her life from the information she gave me to guide my design. It was clear from her contest entry that she has a talent for creating magical stories. Only when we began talking about the necklace, however, did I find that her fondness for these tales originated with her grandfather, apparently a superb storyteller. He also seems to have been a bit of a transcendentalist in the mold of Thoreau or Emerson as you can see from one of his essay at the end of this blog post. Even though he died when she was very young, she clearly remembers being captivated by his tales. Apparently, her fascination with these stories was obvious to everyone around her as well, and the neighbors nicknamed her “Dusty’s Fairy Child.” She has carried his memory and the love he gave her for the spiritual, the mystical and the magical with her throughout her life.

I also found that she and I share a fondness for labyrinths as both art forms and as spiritual tools. And, I also learned that she has undertaken some serious spiritual quests. She sent me some special tokens from one of her spiritual retreats, The Spiritual Midwife Project, and I used several of these in her necklace. I also found two eleven-circuit labyrinths that seemed just right for her necklace. But still, I just didn’t feel that I had the one key item I needed to tie everything together. And then, one day, I found that I had had it all along: a pewter fairy that had lain forlorn and unused in my jewelry box for years. It was an item that was given to me several years before I even met Beth. What better icon for Dusty’s Fairy Child than a beautiful fairy. (This became even more obviously appropriate when I later learned that Beth had taught classes on fairies at a new age bookstore and at a farm in Lancaster county, PA.)

Fairy found in my jewelry box.

Below are the items Beth sent me to use in her necklace.

Medicine bag earring created for Beth by a shaman friend

Holy stone Beth found on the beach

Replica of a “priestess” bead from a community talking stick

The remaining spiral from a pair of Beth’s favorite earrings

To these items I added two pewter labyrinths and spiraled purple/blue stones.

Pewter labyrinth

Purple/blue stone

It was a pleasure working with Beth and learning so much more about her. I hope she gets as much pleasure from her necklace as I got from making it.

Dusty’s Fairy Woman

For centuries, spiritual seekers have regarded labyrinths as symbols of spiritual pilgrimage as well as tools to encourage meditation and contemplation. On your necklace, Beth, the labyrinths represent two of your most meaningful spiritual quests, the Harner shamanic training course and the Spiritual Midwife Project.

Stories of the magical and the mystical have been among the most important influences in your life. These first took root when you heard the tales of your grandfather, C. Richard Rhoads. A lover of nature as well as a teller of magical, spiritual stories, he once wrote that “No temple in the world can excel the beauties of the forest; and there is nothing that will bring you closer to God than a prayer beneath the solemn pines or the sturdy oaks.” The spiral at the bottom of the pendant represents your spiritual journey as influenced by your grandfather. This form has been an important symbol to cultures from prehistory to the present. For some, it has represented the journey of life for an individual or for the entire culture. For others, it has represented the evolution of consciousness or of spiritual understanding. The spiral is also the shape of a wide variety of entities in nature, from tiny sea creatures to galaxies.

Echoing your spiral, the swirled violet discs between the labyrinths represent the dual aspects of your grandfather’s consciousness – his magical, spiritual stories and his love of nature – that have played such an important role in the formation of your own consciousness. The fairy represents you, “Dusty’s Fairy Child”, laying a bouquet over one of these to honor his memory and his gift to you.

The tiara forming the base of the figure’s headpiece is your aquamarine baby ring. This stone was credited with healing powers by many ancient cultures. The medicine bag amulet and the holey stone suspended from the bottom of the figure represent items that have long been reputed to bring the owner protection and prosperity. I have included these talismans with my sincere wish that the powers ascribed to them may always be present in your life, Beth.

The key reflects your ongoing quest for knowledge through spiritual training and your more conventional academic pursuits. May you continue to gain understanding through both.

~Cheryl Dolby~

Here is the article written by Beth's grandfather, C.Richard Rhoads. (Click on each image to enlarge the page for reading.)

HOMESTEAD HORSEWOMAN

GODDESS CEREMONIAL NECKLACES

“Homestead HorseWoman”

Judy Bechtold

I met Judy Bechtold a few months ago while tending my booth at the farmers’ market in Roanoke. Judy told me that she had moved recently to Roanoke from Richmond. Before she moved to Richmond a few years ago, she had lived in Tallahassee, Florida for thirty years with her beloved husband, Steve. After she lost Steve to cancer, she joined her daughter’s family in their move to Virginia. She has already become a valued addition to the Roanoke community, working as a school speech therapist and as a therapeutic horse leader/side walker at Healing Strides of Virginia (www.healingstridesofva.org).

Judy, third from left, with her horse Tony

Judy grew up on Hoosier Homestead Farm, a pastoral piece of Indiana that has been in her family for eight generations. Her farmer father and grandfather encouraged a love of horses in Judy and her five sisters from an early age. Along with her mother, a mid-western farm wife who could cook or sew just about any item of food or clothing family members needed, they taught the girls the value of hard work and discipline. Those lessons undoubtedly helped provide Judy and her sisters with the values that enabled them all to graduate from Purdue University.

Judy, second from left, riding with the "All Girl Mounted Horse Patrol"

I’m finding Judy has a great sense of humor. She arrived at a drumming ceremony I had a month ago wearing a comical ‘bat hat’ that she created for the occasion. My home, Woodloft, has a small bat population and she wanted to be sure none of them landed in her hair. When Judy asked me to create a custom necklace for her, she asked me to incorporate a few particularly meaningful keepsakes she had collected over the years. Below, are the items she gave me to work with.

Sterling horse

Angel heart

Sterling feather

Small bird

Dolphin pendant

I added pau abalone shell pieces in recognition of Judy’s journey to New Zealand, itself a symbol of her many interesting travels. I also added a nautilus in acknowledgment of her long-time residency near the ocean in Florida.

Pau Abalone

I’ve enjoyed learning about Judy’s life and working on her necklace. I wasn’t sure if I could pull all those items together in one piece, but I believe it worked out very nicely. I hope she agrees.

Homestead Horsewoman

Below is the scroll I wrote to go with Judy’s necklace.

Homestead HorseWoman

A galloping horse is the central element in your Goddess Ceremonial Necklace, Judy, because of your lifelong involvement with these graceful animals. From Janie, your first pony, to Tony and the other horses of your youth, to the therapeutic riding mounts of your adult life, horses have been a constant presence in your life. Horses represent a source of power and freedom for you as they have to many people throughout history. Through your work in therapeutic riding, in turn, you have given some of this power and freedom to handicapped individuals: a little bit more power over their lives, and a little bit more freedom from their limitations.

The angel with the ruby heart has many meanings for you. First, it signifies your faith. It also symbolizes the spiritual guides you have encountered throughout your life. At least as importantly as these, however, and perhaps even more, it signifies the extraordinary bond of love among you, your sisters, and the other members of your family.

The two feathers are symbolic of the glowing hawk feather you found in Tallahassee and had incorporated into a Lakota-made dream catcher. Found shortly after your beloved sister, Alice, passed, you embraced the original as a spiritual message from her – and so the feathers on your necklace serve as an affirmation of that reassurance.

The bird over the head of “Homestead HorseWoman” signifies the totemic birds – hawk, bluebird and hummingbird – which have played such a significant role in your life. It also symbolizes your love of bird watching, a pastime you avidly share with your grandchildren.

Turquoise is one of your favorite colors and stones, and so, of course, it is included in your necklace. Historically, people of many cultures have reputed the stone to bring prosperity, health, or good fortune to the owner. May it confer all of these on you, Judy.

The two representative sea mammals forming the large heart at the bottom of your necklace are reminders your multiple encounters with dolphins, and your embrace of the dolphin spirit of "a carefree sense of adventure” coupled with “unselfconscious playfulness". Taken together with the horse and the bird, these dolphins also represent your love for the natural world and your efforts through the years to take ever better care of “Mother Earth.”

The paua abalone shell pieces are a token your trip to New Zealand. They also serve as a more general reminder of your many journeys and your belief that we should always “live in the Now.”

~ Cheryl Dolby~

DRUMMING CIRCLE

DRUMMING CIRCLE

Kayla Finlay's healing Native American white buffalo drum

Judy, Jade and Leslie

Showers came and left but did not deter the First Annual Goddess Drumming Ceremony held at Woodloft. There were 17 powerful women who joined in our evening of wonderment.

Goddess Ceremonial Necklaces lined up and ready for the Goddesses who will wear them

The evening was off to a grand start as each of the women wore one of my Goddess Ceremonial Necklaces with names such as “Wayward Woman,” “She Who Knows Her Own Sacred Sound," "She Whose Voice Is As Old As The Stones.”

Trish, kitchen fairy goddess

Unusual drums of all shapes and sizes were brought in by the excited participants who were anticipating magic to take place before the evening was over.

Val with her new drum that "called to her"

Elizabeth

Drumming has gained tremendous popularity lately and drumming circles are working their way into our society at an amazing rate. There are many types of drumming which include healing, shamanic, solstice, and global, just to name a few. Our group chose the Native American approach to drumming. We brought in the four sacred elements of earth, fire, water and air. We sat inside my seven-circuit labyrinth which represented earth. The lit torches surrounding the circle served as our fire which is considered a protector among many tribes. The lily pond behind the labyrinth and swimming pool brought in the water aspect and there was a gentle breeze providing the air needed to complete the four elements.

Deb Hillman lights sage

Deb Hillman used sage to cleanse the area of impurities. Fanning the smoke traditionally is supposed to bring in the energy of the Winged People, according to Native American belief. We used fresh sage that I grow at Woodloft but dried sage can also be used and probably burns a little faster. The air was pungent with the heady aroma of this potent herb.

Sherrye Lantz distributes tobacco to mother earth

Sherrye Lantz distributed tobacco to mother earth. Some Native American elders believe that this symbolizes tobacco roots growing deep into the earth and smoke extending to the sky, invoking a connection between the material and the spiritual..

We introduced ourselves, and I quoted an e-mail message from one of my guest's friends, Laura. She wrote, “May this circle bring release, voice and connection to all.”

Kayla Finlay wearing new Goddess Ceremonial Necklace, "Questing Woman"

Medical research has shown that drumming can be therapeutic. It can boost the immune system and increase cancer killing cells. Drumming can also have physiological effects because by enhancing awareness and releasing emotional trauma.

Drumming is the heartbeat of mother earth and a way to reach deep states of meditation.

Drumming is rhythm and rhythm is language.

Drumming succeeds when voices fail.

Drumming is music and music is the heart of the earth.

When we drum, energy rises and time stops.

Dottie and Vie

When a group comes together to drum in a circle, everyone benefits in some way. Everyone takes home something special. Magic? Did we accomplish magic? Probably not this time around, because the humidity in the air did not allow for our drums to resonate properly. We also had an array of unusual drums, some homemade, which were charming, but probably do not lend themselves to the vibrant sound of synchronous beating.

Sherrye and Judy

Connection? We did achieve connection: most definitely. This diverse group of women, including healers, business women, professors and artists had much to share and learn from one another.

Dian and Jean (seated)

Beautiful array of delicious food brought by guests

A gathering of this sort is not complete without food, at least as far as I’m concerned. We certainly had an amazing array of culinary delights including my own Le Gateau Sans Rival, a cheese slaw, several curry dishes, fruits, olive bread, oriental noodles, tiramisu and much more. One dish that was quite delicious was the Cowboy Salsa. Judy Bechtold renamed her recipe, Cowgirl Goddess Salsa, for our ceremony.

The evening continued with conversation, swimming, piano playing and a ‘Give-away’. I gave each woman one of my “Grandmother Tree” books as they left our gathering.

"Give-away"

Next year, for the Second Annual Goddess Drumming Ceremony, I plan to encourage everyone to bring a "Give-away." This is a Native American practice of giving a gift to honor an occasion. They believe that it is always the giver who receives the most blessings. Of course, next year, we may try a different type of drumming ceremony. I watched a video on YouTube of a Tuvu healing ceremony that I was very impressed with. Can you imagine how powerful the drumming would be with one member sitting in the center of a circle and all the others surrounding her and drumming? It's something to think about for next year.

Alchemy! Dirty dishes transformed into clean dishes

The next morning, even though extremely exhausted, I was also exhilarated from our wonderful evening. I was able to go down to the market where I sell my artwork. As the day wore on, I started having memories of that huge stack of dishes left in the kitchen. I just told myself I would worry about that the next day after I was rested. When I got home, I walked into the kitchen and had a very big surprise. There, on the counter, was a stack of clean dishes, glasses and silverware in place of the dirty ones. It was as if a fairy had been to Woodloft while I was gone. I then looked around to find tiny rose soaps everywhere! Little red and pink flowers adorned my table, counter tops and bathroom. Surely a fairy had been here!

Then I saw the multi-colored message shown above which explains who the fairies truly were. They were my Kitchen Fairy Goddesses, Trish and Kayla. Thank you so very much for the wonderful finale to our First Annual Goddess Drumming Ceremony!

GODDESS CEREMONIAL NECKLACES

GODDESS CEREMONIAL NECKLACE

“Questing Woman”

"She who knows her own sacred sound"

For years I have created my Goddess Ceremonial necklaces as a tribute to women everywhere. I have always envisioned women wearing the necklaces to celebrate a particular milestone in their lives or to mark some other special occasion.

In the past, the materials I found while contemplating the design of a necklace determined its final form. But recently, I decided to start trying to customize some of my necklace designs to reflect something personal about the wearer. I made the first of these custom necklaces for Kayla Finley.

Kayla Finley

I met Kayla about a month ago when she stopped by my booth on the Roanoke farmers’ market. She is a healer, a drummer, a writer, and more, and has a strong spiritual connection to Native American culture. She told me her last child recently “left the nest,” and that she is enthusiastically embarking on an exciting new phase of her life.

"She who seeks the path of the ancients"

Kayla purchased a necklace from me and gave it to a friend as a birthday present. Afterwards, she contacted me to see if I would make another one for her. Kayla is such an interesting, multifaceted person, I decided she would be a great subject for my first custom necklace design.

I create my necklaces using unusual items I find at antique shops, flea markets, etc. I use one of my original stoneware clay faces in each necklace and surround it with the appropriate embellishments. With Kayla’s necklace, the embellishments have taken on a new purpose since they must reflect something specific about the wearer. After searching for several weeks, I found the perfect items.

Turquoise, pewter

Sterling feathers

Sterling bird

Egyptian scarabs

Kayla's special necklace,"Questing Woman"

Questing Woman

Like many of my Goddess Ceremonial Necklaces, this one makes generous use of turquoise in homage to the jewelry of the Navajo whose style I have always admired. It is even more apt than usual in this creation, Kayla, because of your love for Native American culture. Turquoise use by Native Americans can be traced back as far as southern Arizona’s Hohokam culture in 200 BC. As I suspect you’re aware, various cultures through the millennia have claimed that turquoise brings prosperity, health or good fortune to the owner. May it do so for you.

The arrowhead and feathers at the bottom of the piece are elements I have not commonly used in these necklaces. Here, they constitute a more emphatic statement of your spiritual connection to Native American culture and your association with the Ring Thunder tribe of Rosebud, South Dakota. At the height of the plains Native American culture, the Lakota were among the most avid users of feathers to symbolize specific traits or achievements of the wearer. The feathers serve a second purpose in this piece by also symbolizing your connection with “Many Feathers.

In ancient Egyptian culture, the scarab symbolized rebirth and renewal. “Questing Woman” includes two scarabs: one to reflect your rebirth and renewal as you enter a new phase of your life, and one to reflect the renewal you provide your clients through your practice of energy healing.

The ascending bird over the forehead of “Questing Woman” represents a falcon. In medieval heraldry, the falcon symbolized a person in vigorous, unrelenting pursuit of a goal. In ancient Egyptian culture, the falcon was linked to the divine. In other cultures and times, this regal bird has represented freedom. Here, the falcon reflects your ongoing pursuit and achievement of spiritual wisdom as you begin a new phase of your life.

- Cheryl Dolby -

I hope Kayla likes her special necklace. Her website is http://www.energy-seeress.com/.