The Fortune Collection
In mid-October this year, ten days after I became ABD, I completed the Fortune Collection. I created four pieces for four very special women: Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Joanne Gabbin, and Nikki Giovanni. The occasion, Sheer Good Fortune, was for Toni Morrison, but was a celebration for what these women and others like them have done, are doing, and will continue to do, that is, create more beauty in the world through creation, cultivation, and circulation of the creative written word.
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| Necklace with freshwater pearls, amazonite, sterling silver& garnet with garnet & copper coated pyrite drop |
With gratitude, I share my vision in the statement that follows...
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| The Collection in Morning Light |
My Statement:
I have
designed these four pieces especially for Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Joanne
Gabbin, and Nikki Giovanni by the loving request of Lamar Wilson. Lamar
envisioned four pieces that would unite four women who share a passion for
written and spoken word, be it poetry, fiction, or nonfiction and then left me
to my creative whim. I’ve named each piece Fortune followed by the initials of
the woman for whom it is designed in recognition of the Sheer Good Fortune event
in honor of Toni Morrison and to capture the spirit of such an auspicious
gathering of so many people who love and appreciate the art of carefully
crafted language.
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| Detail of necklace in warm light |
Amazonite,
freshwater pearls, garnet, and copper coated pyrite are present in each piece
of jewelry. Sterling silver, copper, and rainbow-torched copper unite the
colors of the gemstones and reveals my love for mixing materials. Early on,
Lamar and I decided sterling silver would be a good metal to tie the pieces
together. The copper came later; its presence reflects my love for the warmth
and richness of the metal, and for the way it patinas with age but can easily
be made like new again. In the beginning, I knew that garnet would be a chief
stone in each piece because of its many beneficial properties. Garnet aids a
number of physical ailments, protects bones and joints, imparts a sense of clam
while providing adrenal support, inspirits courage and creativity, and aids
passion and intuition. After a few preliminary sketches for these pieces, I had
a vivid dream in which amazonite and pyrite were prominently featured, so I
knew that these two stones would be included in the design. Amazonite calms,
encourages happiness and good health, and, perhaps, most important, it is a
stone associated with writing and communication. Pyrite is an all-around
protective stone that helps with dream work and dream recall; it is also known
for inspiring creativity and imparting good fortune. Associated with
spirituality, feminine energy, the heart, and protection during travels, the
four freshwater pearls in each piece also represent the unity of and the love
shared between the four women. Each pearl is differently hued and shaped,
lovely and iridescent. Copper is another material that aids communication and
circulation, soothes joints, enables channeling, and imparts a bit of luck;
silver adds more protection and increases the properties of the gemstones.
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| Bracelet with freshwater pearls, amazonite, sterling silver, & garnet |
Finally, I
created each piece with positive intention, love, and joy. I am humbled and
honored to have the opportunity to share my vision with you all, just as the
body of crafted language you all have birthed, nurtured, and empowered has
helped shaped the vision and purpose of my own life.
With love,
Jameela F. Dallis
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| Detail of bracelet clasp: hand formed & hammered rainbow copper; garnet & copper coated pyrite drop |
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| Aquamarine drop on necklace for Maya Angelou (Aries Birthstone) |
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| Turquoise drop on necklace for Toni Morrison (Aquarius Birthstone) |
I look forward to creating more commissioned pieces and collections in the future!
