Rosary Pieces

Happy Sunday!

Some of the latest creations from the HJD studio/former dining room/ office:

Some time ago I was given bits and pieces of old family rosaries. A little lesson into my personal history here. I was raised in the Roman Catholic religion. I never really embraced the religion and always considered myself to be a Christian. Plain and simple. I can appreciate some of the Catholic traditions though and if you see me in a Catholic church these days, you might even see me genuflect. I do not attend church regularly although I feel I have a deep spiritual side and that works for me.

I also have a great appreciation for that which endures time. Vintage pieces inspire me. It's not just the fact that they're "old" it's the history of the piece, where it came from, who used it and for what purpose. I have so many memories of my grandmother sitting in her green wing back chair, Bible in her lap, rosary in her arthritic hands, reciting prayers as she made her way around the rosary, one bead at a time.

So, when I was given these time worn pieces of vintage rosary I felt so inspired to use them in my jewelry creations. Some pieces are more sentimental than others and with the family history I will be using them in jewelry pieces that I will be keeping and wearing and hopefully passing down to my girls someday. Some of the rosary bits I have a large amount of and will use them in pieces that I will sell.

This particular piece, pictured above and below I will be keeping for myself. But I just wanted to share the beauty of the medal and connector piece. I believe them to represent the Mother Mary and the Seven Sorrows. I think they're sterling silver. I polished them up enough to show the detail but I really like some of the black tarnish to accentuate the beauty of the artistry that went into making it. They may possibly have been made around 1900. If anyone out there in blogland has any knowledge of these pieces and would like to share, I'd love to learn more about them.

I've also used black wood rosary bead sections in this necklace to give it some length and moss opalite roundels because I love how the colors of the moss opalite pick up the black of the rosary beads and will go nicely with a cream colored sweater I have.

This is the back of the medal pictured above. I've also tied up-cycled cream colored corduroy ribbon to the portion that goes behind the neck. It's so comfy, no clasp and large enough to just slip overhead.

And so, since these lovely creations are made using bits and pieces of rosaries, I've named these necklaces: The Bits & Pieces Rosary Collection. Look for more pieces to be added as they are completed. How fitting that I share these with you on Sunday!

~Heather