Free People : New Style

Check out the new style at Free People...."Tayri" ...meaning: "love" in the Imazhigen language

This style features a "scarf" that is artfully knotted around a fabric braided band. You can take off the scarf, and use it creating several different looks with your Tayri Turban.

Sex trafficking and meaningful handwork

Rahab's Rope

 ...love showing itself in action...

"Rahab's Rope exists to give hope and opportunity to women and girls that have been forced into the commercial sex trade of India. By creating a safe and loving environment, they are enabled to grow and develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. Our work provides basic education and vocational training for each girl and woman who come through our centers; ultimately, allowing them to integrate into their communities in a positive and constructive manner."

Curried Myrrh has partnered with Rahab's Rope in their vision in teaching and supplying handwork. I was introduced to Rahab's Rope a few months ago, when a new model I began working with was telling me about an upcoming trip to India. She was going to volunteer and spend time with these women and this organization. I felt like an opportunity that clearly exemplified the vision of Curried Myrrh, had dropped into my lap. I contacted them, and shared my heart and some ideas about integrating the women into some handwork for Curried Myrrh. Vicki, the woman who began Rahab's Rope; was warm and enthusiastic and on the same page when it came to producing beautiful, skillful, high quality pieces in representing indigenous cultural handwork, that could provide healing, sustainable income, and community respect.
I hosted a couple of 'home shows' in tribute to and in support of Rahab's Rope-to build awareness and raise some more money that could go to buying tools/supplies for them. We were able to send them over $250, and are dreaming of embroidery sewing machines, and beadwork projects...

Vicki left for India right after Christmas, I sent some patterns and some new season colors with her. We're getting started on this thing, and I am so excited. I hope to go visit India, with my daughter. I can see us sitting on the floor and beading. That would be awesome.

The Work of the Hands

I was born into a home that was busy with the happy toil of hand work. My mom was always making something. Drapes, a dress for her mom, or sister; Halloween costumes (elaborate), clothes for us kids. And when she needed a break, she would garden. A great, huge, hillside transformed rock by rock, tier by tier into a profuse symphony of rhododendrons, moon lilies, ageratum, ajuga, silver mound...and that was while she was pregnant with me. Ha! No wonder I am so motivated to make things. "Making things and selling them" was my first brainstorm as a kid of what I would do with my life. I started out making what I called "Islands". It was a piece of driftwood, or a lake stone, embellished with a miniature"landscape"- a bush (a tuft of lichen), a tiny deer or bunny, white glitter for snow. I sold them at the flea market and made enough to buy all my school clothes (I got to choose). Then it was macrame`, earrings, sand candles, wood burned plaques.Man, the 70's were fabulous for crafts. Point being, hand work is in our blood. Some are closer to it, but frankly; it is an element of lifes maintenance not only necessary, but honestly - therapeutic. The stitching, the weaving, the beading, the keeping of the hands moving....works out the kinks and the struggles, stresses of the rest of living life. Perhaps that's why our culture has become so pressed and ill--not enough hand work.

So there it is. And, here it is: Curried Myrrh's first order from Free People (beautiful catalog). I am blessed, and very thankful. I bet they would have loved my macrame`....

Imazighen Collection

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Inspired by and in tribute to the tribes of the Berber people. Many Berbers call themselves some version of the name "Imazighen" (singular: 'Amazigh'), possibly meaning "free people" or "free and noble men".

Headressing created from braiding blends of repurposed and mill end cottons linens and silks. Accented with carefully composed assemblages of vintage jewelry, beads and chains.

A collection in the spirit of the tribes of North Africa, and dedicated to the struggle and to the heart-cry for truth and peace in all tribes, languages, peoples and nations.

Yakuti Collection

Introducing the first collection of 'Headressing' from Curried Myrrh, the Yakuti Collection.

 Inspired by and in tribute to the Turkic people. Clothing and headwear for tribal people was not only a means of protection from the elements and a means of artistic flair, but also had the sacral function of a mascot. Its patterns and totem decorations were meant to protect the wearer.

Hand crafted from mill end faux furs, repurposed vintage furs, discarded upholstery swatches and antique and vintage jewelry and buttons.

Wearing a Yakuti headress is not only warm and protective from the elements, but truly a powerful symbol mirroring  the beauty and complex creativity of the indigenous people of our world.

Beginnings

It is a moment in time that one conceives an idea. In between breath and blink, a flash; a realization, an incarnation of what has been only an imagination. It is a delicate moment, vaporous; or, perhaps, substantive.
The stuff of dreams, the kind that are realized. It is this 'stuff' that I address on my first post for Curried Myrrh.
That is my mother, making straw hats in Denmark in the 40's. Because 'Far' (her father) believed it a good idea, and an opportunity. They had moved from Copenhagen to a 100 yr old farmhouse in the country, and needed to make a living. Far designed the frame that Alice (my mother) built the brim of the cap on. They went to harvest the straw at a neighbors farm, my mama said; 'with socks over their shoes for boots'. Yes, my
mother said that. How amazing to be linked with this heritage in this day, I think. 
A heritage, a bloodline, a heartsong, destiny.
I know that the visions written upon our hearts lie deeper even all of the perceptions than we have within us.
They are divinely breathed, and birthed when ready.
I couldn't imagine beginning this blog in any other way than proudly showing my history. How ingenious, and clever, and brave. This is my tribe.

Thank you to Uncle Hannes who scanned these photos.