YazBerry Jewelry Collection: The Bohemians

The Bohemians Collection are worldly creatures. They are inspired by my travels to foreign lands. By my interactions with different cultures and constant personal study of textiles and design from ethnic traditions around the world. Some are Asian influenced, some are West-African influenced, some draw inspiration from my travels to Morocco. Open up the spice cabinet, shake on some berbere, join in a drum circle and have a little stir fry while you are at it. Mostly earrings, as they are so fun to make, but also some necklaces at times, such as the Incan Quipu inspired necklace below, inspired by my travels to Peru and climbing Machu Picchu with my wild imagination peering around corners. You can find The Bohemians on my Etsy shop and on my Facebook page. Are you inspired by a journey you took to a far off land and want me to create something to commemorate it? Fascinated by a near or distant culture? Let me know what you are thinking, I would enjoy creating a custom piece for you.

Geometry in Fabric, 8 Point Star Motif

I always enjoyed geometry class; one of my favorite subjects in math. I suspect it is a result of growing up around quilts. Grandma was nearly always quilting when we were at her house and her walk in closet filled with fabric was a source of intrigue and also a somewhat forbidden zone - it was color coded, sorted, folded: organized.

She did however let us watch her work. It's amazing what you learn without realizing you are being taught or learning at all! I have surprised myself a few times the last couple of years when commissioned to make custom quilts, with my general knowledge and quilting skills. Osmosis ;)

I saw a cute quilt design in a book at JoAnn Fabrics, but didn't want the whole book so I put the theme and variation on a 9-patch to memory, bought some fabric I liked, went home and got to work. I'm currently working on a baby crib quilt.

The 9-patch design I am working on creates an 8 point star; a motif I fell in love with in Spain, when I observed it woven into architectural details throughout the Andalusia region. I asked a friendly merchant about the symbol as I had seen it so many times I began to suspect it had some significance. He told me it was a Moroccan star and a symbol found in Islam. According to Wikipedia:

"The Rub el Hizb (Arabic: ربع الحزب‎) is a symbol, represented as two overlapping squares, which is found on a number of emblems and flags. In Arabic, Rubʻ means "one fourth, quarter", while Hizb means a group or party. Initially, it was used in the Quran, which is divided into 60 Hizb (60 groups of roughly equal length); the symbol determines every quarter of Hizb, while the Hizb is one half of a juz'. The main purpose of this dividing system is to facilitate recitation of the Qur'an. It is also used as a marker for the end of a chapter in Arabic calligraphy.

The Star of Lakshmi is an identical star figure which figures in Hinduism, where it represents Ashtalakshmi, the eight forms, or "kinds of wealth", of the goddess Lakshmi.

An eight-pointed star was used as a symbol of Tartessos, an ancient civilization based in Andalusia. As the region was ruled by Islamic dynasties for eight centuries, this may suggest a possible origin of the Rub el Hizb."

On a tour of some ancient ruins in Andalusia, I asked the guide about the symbol when I saw it framing an open window facing the sky at the top of a dome. He said it was a sort of God's eye symbol. I enjoy learning about symbols and what they represent in different cultures. The star made of two squares has fascinated me since I traveled to Spain all those years ago. I was delighted to see it represented in a 9-patch quilt square and am busy working on a quilt using this block.

Here are some progress pics:
All of the 300 or so squares cut and laid out. The design is a play on light versus dark squares. I used a mix of bought fabric, most of the darks, and fabric from my Grandma's legacy collection, all of the lights.
My progress as of writing this blog is that the top is a little over half way done.

Here is a little snap shot into my artistic obsession with this symbol over the years: A Mandala design I painted on the floor in my store on Artists' Row. With the help of fellow artist and friend, Sara Maurno! It is based on the 8 point star in the center.
Tile work outside of a mosque in Casablanca, Morocco featuring a rounded version of the 8 point star motif. I took this while traveling there during college.
A double play of the 8 point star motif: it is found in the tile work and also in the wooden window grates that are casting a shadow on the floor. Taken in Andalusia, Spain.
A quilt my Grandma helped me design and make based on a photo of an inlaid wood floor in Spain.

Iris Apfel: A Wise Fashionista

“I think dressing up or down should be a creative experience. Exciting. Fun." -Iris Apfel

This weekend I finally went to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA. I moved to Salem in October of 09 and have been wanting to check out this museum, walking distance from my home, and never did. I was lured in by the "Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel" exhibit. A name and icon vaguely familiar to me, but not someone I knew too much about.

Upon entering, your are greeted by flashing cameras and a scene laid out as if you were an early arrive guest to a high end fashion show!

“My so-called “collection” is my wardrobe. It’s a series of pieces I’ve accumulated over these many years. I love a timeless look, and I think if you develop your own style it’s not a problem – at least it hasn’t been for me. I can mix something I bought last week with something I’ve hoarded for 30 years. I don’t follow trends or the hottest fashion. I buy what I like and my tastes are quite catholic – haute couture to street fashion. Pieces that are Zen-simple or madly baroque. I love ethnic as well as contemporary. I’m fond of serious and adore amusing. I try to make all these things work together.” - Iris Apfel

Then, you turn the corner and the security guard scolds you for taking pictures as unlike the rest of the museum, it is prohibited in this exhibit?!?!?! So, the next two shots were 'smuggled' as I wandered through the rooms of gorgeous textures, colors, fabrics, accessories and ideas.

“In the right tonalities I never met a color I didn’t like.” -Iris Apfel

I love and live for color. Look in my closet or my store and you will see this is true. But tone is crucial; know your skin color and which tones make your skin look vibrant and which make it look dull. If you have a hard time figuring this out there are two things you can try: 1) Think about which outfits you get compliments on. Start with these and take a good look at the colors and how they look against your skin. When I'm questioning a color in a store, I hold it to the back of my hand for a quick check (so I don't need to try it on if it is awful). 2) Find two items that are the same color (pink, yellow, blue) but different tones / hues of that color. Hold each to your face in the mirror. See which compliments your skin better.



My absolute favorite, must spend a good amount of time in room is the Souq. A room displaying elaborate jewelry acquired in exotic eastern markets. It really does give you a feel of a souq...took me back to one of my most favorite destinations ever...Marrakesh, Morocco! The color comibinations, textures, shapes and ideas give you the feeling of the richness and elaborateness of vendors booths packed into the souq (I prefer the Spanish word: el zocco).

Also, I highly recommend you take the time to stop and watch the film they have playing which features Mrs. Apfel speaking about what inspires her style, how she dresses, her creativity in dressing, expressing and being herself.

“I’m a hopeless romantic. I buy things because I fall in love with them. I never buy anything just because it’s valuable. My husband used to say I look at a piece of fabric and listen to the threads. It tells me a story. It sings me a song. I have to get a physical reaction when I buy something. A coup de foudre – a bolt of lightning. It’s fun to get knocked out that way!” -Iris Apfel

I identify with this mindset, and find it behind my personal style. My wardrobe is not valuable, but I love every piece in it. I too buy items I fall in love with. Thrifted items, mid priced items from the mall and the occasional splurge on to die for designer shoes.



This exhibit is worth the cost of admission (Salem residents get in free!). Also be sure to check out the trash menagerie exhibit while you're there. The Peabody Essex Museum is just 35 min by commuter train from North Station in Boston! Catch it before it is gone February 7, 2010!

Also, I should mention to you an awesome after hours event they are holding at this exhibit on the closing weekend: "Iris After Dark!

› After Hours Event
Peabody Essex Museum stays open late with music, film, signature cocktails and shopping!
Friday, February 5, 2010 from 6pm - 9:30pm

Admission $10, Free to Salem residents and Museum Members

The Peabody Essex Museum celebrates the closing weekend of Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel in style with extended hours, music, film, outrageous shopping and suitably elegant refreshments. One of PEM’s most successful exhibitions ever — nearly 50,000 visitors since mid-October­­­ ­— Rare Bird of Fashion closes to the public on Sunday, February 7 after an exceptional run at the Museum."