Paper Bead Prayers

I received my package of Gorgeous recycled paper beads from BeadforLife.org (Uganda)
"BeadforLife eradicates extreme poverty by creating bridges of understanding between hard working and impoverished Africans and North Americans who want to create a world that works for all. Ugandan women turn colorful recycled paper, into beautiful beads. This beauty becomes income, food, medicine, school fees, and hope. It is a small miracle. Our members are women with children living on less than two dollars a day. Many have fled the war in Northern Uganda. Others live with HIV or other serious health challenges. They are incredibly welcoming, hard working, resilient, and creative.

North Americans partner with Ugandans by opening their hearts, homes, and communities to buy and sell the beads. All profits from BeadforLife are invested in community development projects that generate income and help people escape extreme poverty. This circle of caring and participation enriches us all."


So many things are possible with these beads...but I'm most excited about experiments in integrating the paper beads into my artwork on a large scale..so that I can create a cycle of support. Initially I was going to line them up next to eachother just as in my hammered nail prayer pieces...but as I stared at them I decided I wanted to somehow emphasize and honor the beauty of each one separately.....so this is a sample in carved niches with painted sand...the piece is becoming more like 'planting seeds' or nourishing cocoons. Symbolically that really feels right also....

a tiny precious Crysalis of Hope

Recycling obsession

I've been enjoying another little recycling obsession/experiment: cutting things up into ittybitty pieces for artmatter. here we have white junkmail paper in front.

And here we have printed cardboard:

And some lovely green and white plastics:

I've got a few more bunches of colors that I need more jars for...
been lusting after a shredder...though of course the compulsive and repetitive scissor action is strangely comforting to me...once I start it's SOOO hard to stop!
I want to cut up everything into wee squares and rectangles.mmmmmmmm

Puppetji on Seeing