Monday, October 13, 2008

Gypsy Beadwork

Still playing around with bag ideas,
have all these lovely old saris to chop up, handles are a question
suggestions always welcome email me fiona@fionawright.com
There is some amazing Gypsy beadwork around so I asked if it was possible to meet some people, it so happens Shadu, who used to go to Shakti as a lad is of the gypsy people and he turned up on my doorstep with some lovely necklases and a gypsy outfit for me to see.

















I am thinking a beaded handle in plain strong coloured glass beads [those shiny ones with a silver lining might work well...

Thank you to Judy Nolan who mentioned me on her blog last week, she is a talented lady I met in a workshop once or twice and was my colour use as an inspiration for her...
thank you [look at her wonderful weaving- such patience http://fibresofbeing.wordpress.com/]
At the moment I am so busy doing other things my studio practice is flagging- I have a wonderful lead on an idea and hope a visit to the Murghal miniatures in the National Museum in Delhi will get me going again...
off on tour in a few days, the excitmet of welcoming new visitors and sharing some amazing places I love looms large as an enjoyment to look forward to.
Just sent some money to the ladies of Rwanda, I hope it helps them to others care and it helps them get a new start going...
a good buzz, I do care

Saturday, October 11, 2008

From my gorgeous daughter-in-law to me to you...

Synchonicity
I have been thinking a lot this week of the story about Rwanda I passed onto you last week. [ref Read Maryam's blog- be prepared it is hard going. http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/my_marrakesh/ around the beginning of October.]














Do we realise how lucky we are?...if you are reading this I would guess you live in a part of the world where you have a good idea of what dinner will be tonight,

where you will sleep tonight and an expectation that when you wake up in the morning you and yours will be in good shape.

I was thinking to suggest - make sure you tell your mates they are special, ask them to lunch, spend time hanging out, let them know.



Then I was going through costs with Ramsingh for Shakti [you know it is my current occupation, sorry if i mention it all the time- I am living and breathing ideas with them at the moment getting a workshop off the ground]

1 lunch with your mate would send a child to school for a year in India...so I was going to suggest -ask your mate to lunch, pack peanut butter sandwiches and enjoy the park.

Put the money you save in an envelope and send it to Rwanda or Shakti or perhaps even better invest it in the world's future through a microlaon at Kiva

http://www.kiva.org/ , you can meet with your friend to decide who to lend to, and watch it be repaid as that person steps forward and then relend it again.

Not only are you helping a fellow human being, you are doing it hand in hand with a friend!



Then this lovely email came to me and I knew i would be on my soapbox spouting on!



Have a read and may you have many blessings in your life- Fiona



Here's to T-bone steaks, yellow roses and friendship.

>>> READ THIS!!!! and then reread it.. Especially the last part...

>>I walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in buying >groceries. I wasn't hungry. The pain of losing my husband of 7 years was still too raw. And this grocery store held so many sweet memories.

>>He often came with me and almost every time he'd pretend to go off and look

for something special. I knew what he was up to I'd always spot him walking>down the aisle with t he three yellow roses in his hands.

>>He knew I loved yellow roses. With a heart filled with grief, I only wanted >to buy my few items and leave, but even grocery shopping was different>since he had passed on.

>>Shopping for one took time, a little more thought than it had for two.

>>>>Standing by the meat, I searched for the perfe ct small steak and>remembered how he had loved his steak.

>>Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was blonde, slim and lovely in a soft>green pantsuit. I watched as she picked up a large package of T-bones, >dropped them in her basket... Hesitated, and then put them back. She turned>to go and once again reached for the pack of steaks.

>>She saw me watching her and she smiled. "My husband loves T-bones, but >honestly, at these prices, I don't know."

>>I swallowed the emotion down my throat and met her pale blue eyes.

>>" My husband passed away eight days ago," I told her. Glancing at the >package in her hands, I fought to control the tremble in my voice. "Buy him>the steaks. And cherish every moment you have together."

>>She shook her head and I saw the emotion in her eyes as she placed the >package in her basket and wheeled away.

>>I turned and pushed my cart across the length of the store to the dairy>products. There I stood, trying to decide which size milk I should buy. A>Quart, I finally decided and moved on to the ice cream.. If nothing else, I >could always fix myself an ice cream cone.

>>I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked down the aisle toward the>front.. I saw first the gree n suit, then recognized the pretty lady coming>towards me. In her arms she carried a package. On her face was the>brightest smile I had ever seen. I would swear a soft halo encircled her>blonde hair as she kept walking toward me, her eyes holding mine. >>As she came closer, I saw what she held and tears began misting in my eyes.>"These are for you," she said and placed three beautiful long stemmed>yellow roses in my arms. "When you go through the line, they will know >these are paid for." She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek,>then smiled again. I wanted to tell her what she'd done, what the roses>mean t, but still unable to speak, I watched as she walked away as tears >clouded my vision.

>>I looked down at the beautiful roses nestled in the green tissue wrapping>and found it almost unreal. How did she know? Suddenly the answer seemed so>clear. I wasn't alone.

>>Oh, you haven't forgotten me, have you? I whispered, with tears in my eyes.>He was still with me, and she was his angel.

>>Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.>(Please read all of this, it is really nice)



>>This is a simple request. If you appreciate life, send this to your>friends, including the person that sent it to you.

>>Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you, >Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

>>Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as>possible. Thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind .

>>Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I>have the s trength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

>>Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast >is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud.

>>Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

>>Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines >and the menu is at times unbalanced.

>>Thank you, Lor d, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

>>Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, Lord, for >the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

>>Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my>circumstances were not so modest.

>>Thank you, Lord, for life.

>>Pass this on to the friends you know. It might help a bit to make this>world a better place to live, right? A friend is someone we turn to when>our spirits need a lift. A friend is someone to treasure.

>>For friendship is a gift. A friend is s omeone who fills our lives with>Beauty, Joy and Grace and makes the world we live in a better and happier>place..>>YOU ARE MY FRIEND!> >God bless you and yours.

>>Now send this to every friend you have and don't forget me>>

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Patience is a virtue, persistance pays off

Patience is a virtue, persistance pays off so my Grandmaother used to say...I have great faith in my Nan so I do try and apply her homilies.
That one is especially important living in India [really anywhere in life!]
A big contribution I think I can make with Shakti is to work with some of the older children/ young people and Mothers on income producing projects [funds will go to them as wages and excess into running Shakti]...

So I have been wracking my brain and quizzing everyone I meet for ideas.
one thing I know we can lay our hands on are second hand saris, lots of them actually.
I was simply going to wander down to the market in Ajmer and buy some up, mentioning this to some of my friends here in Pushkar...
it was no, no , no you don't do that.
OOpps I supposed I had broken a taboo about using second hand goods [ I know you would only do it here if you were desperately poor]
but it was not that...another taboo completely
you never go directly to the market...you ask your friends if they have any friends who knows a man, who knows a man or even better is related to him who sells or wholesales second hand saris and that way you will get a good price.
AAANNNDDD this is all done by the men for you, so you don't need to go to the hassles of looking yourself...
The darlings have had a lesson in patience as they keep bringing me bundles and I keep saying "not quiet right...perhaps if you take me with you it will be easier " [gentle persistance on my part]...
Well yesterday it was decided to take me to the warehouse [1 small room]...across ownone way, then a better idea occured and I was popped on a motorbike and taken across town the other [all the while me giving my new nephew Geetu strick instructions to go slow or I start to scream!! Good boy he got the idea]
And here we are...they proved to be polyester saris...but felt so silky and the colours were so lovey and I just wanted to get started I bought 1 dozen...
Here are some already shredded...and as I was leaving I spied some scraps of old silk saris and fairly pounced on them [ so funny- Indian ladies are rather demure in public, where as I am Australia and am rather enthusiastic- I am saying loudly "WOW!! that is it, yes please!"
It is always a surprise to those that have not had a lot of contact with foreigners...I do try and remeber to be a bit ladylike. My dear Nan did try and teach me all the proper ways...but some things I am still working on]
And here is one I have been working on...it still needs to be lined and useful pockets added...handles are an issue
PLEASE EMAIL ANY IDEAS.



Some of the Mums are gypsy people and this is a necklace they have produced, I am thinking those same skills could be put to use and modified for handles. We want to make a quality product we can sell in good shops in the west.










We have an Irish traveller, Onya visiting and helping with the children at Shakti this week...and she came home and had a cooking class last night.
First cooking student at THAT PUKKA PLACE!!
She was saying she loves Indian food, I felt like cooking..so it worked out well.
I called upon Ramsingh to do the chapatis...
Parveen loves chapati with his food, and promised our household would be half Indian, half Australian...so he would help in the kitchen [a big concession as 'married' men are traditionally not expected to do house chores.]
Seems he is rather useless but the desire for chapati is inspiring him to be there and learn other things as well, good man.
As far as he knows I don't know how to make chaparti- and don't anyone tell him otherwise!! Parveen is away this week so I called upon an expert and Ramsingh demonstated.









Dinner: mixed vegetables, spiced potatoes, ladies fingers, chickpea dal, tomato patcherry[ a south indian yoghurt and coconut type salad], lime pickle, mint chutney and lovely fresh chapati. All eaten Indian style of course, with the hands so much more yummy!
One my of my house pets a chipli or gecko had dinner as well.

Monday, October 06, 2008

Indian Textiles

Look at this blanket, isn't it superb?
it is handwoven by gypsy people from out towards Jaisalmir way....I bought it for the lounge in my office...the workmanship is so lovely I like to stroke it...



I am worried people will start to talk...I am always visiting the Ayog Khadi Shop- it sells handloom textiles -made by local village people, lovely hand spun, hand loom cottons [produced according to Gandhi's idea of everyone spending an hour or two a day working by hand...another story to tell allof it]

The colours are earthy, the texture great to touch, I have made pants out of these cloths in the past and they became so soft with wear.
This time I am going to cover bolsters for the lounge [Starting with nothing means I can plan what we have in the house, co-ordinate things...decorate]




A view from my rooftop at sunrise...just keeping an eye on the neighbours. There are many little dye workshops around me and so some wonderful sights...here they had been overdying a bunch of old saris to freshen the colour so the roof was draped in magenta silks. This is to the left of my house towards the rising sun.


Straight out in front, is this superb view...yes I know we have a water tower in the middle but do you know how lucky we are to have running water in town [most of the time?] It is pretty good as well!
Everyday [except Sunday]I am at school, it is intense we do extra lessons so so there are constant streams of kids saying give me more work! Music to my ears.
Our funds run out in January [surely the Gods will send more donations]
but we also need to help ourselves
I am thinking of a shop on Ebay...for some of the fabulous textiles we come across.
Only things from makers we can identify and know the money goes into their hands....like that blanket at the top...there is also wonderful local bead work and embroidery... what do you think?
Comments, suggestions, your experience with ebay would be appreciated.
A few of our girls...quiet for a change. The little girl dressed in green is our Cinderella, a lovely quiet girl, she is no longer allowed to attend school, being an orphan she has the duty of looking after the 6 children of her host family. She is allowed to bring the younger ones to Shakti [the older ones go to school through our programme]and if they are not causing too much trouble she gets stuck into school work every moment she is there!
This is of her own volition but just one example of the determination of some of the kids to get an education.
We need to step lightly with her Auntie so she can continue to come and we will do everything we can to help her in her goals. She is about 10 years old at the moment.

Friday, October 03, 2008

Rwanda

Rwanda...did you ever hear of what happened there?

Do you think it is all finished?

Read Maryam's blog- be prepared it is hard going. http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/my_marrakesh/ around the beginning of October.

It is important to hear and be shocked, and stay shocked this type of thing is never OK.

If we don't all say that in our heart, live it by our actions and speak out against this type of thing [that is what our politicians are there to do for us as well- not get fat at the staff canteen!] it can easily be forgotten, it could easily happen again.

What might have once been a horror a long, long way away is never sssoooo far away. We all live at the same address- Mother Earth.

Navratan










At the moment we are in the middle of Navratan, a Nine Day Festival to honour the Goddess Durga...
in Hindu beliefs, there is only one supreme being but being all encompassing it is rather hard to get your head around...so it is worshipped in its various elements as separate God and Goddesses.
Durga is that fierce, protective part of the feminine principle that would stand up to Demons to protect her brood.
This festival leads up to the major one later in the month of Diwali- the Festival of Lights http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali whose underlying theme is your own inner light overcoming areas of darkness within yourself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga This link will give a bit more info on the festival and stories. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga_Puja
Celebration of Navratan takes many forms, here in Pushkar it is normal to fast during the day, make puja or blessings in the evening and then dance to celebrate.

Last night was the big night for dance so all through the village people gathered together...I was lucky enough to be invited to the home of some of our school children....
every one turned up to watch
Some of our Mums...I was made a delicios and very sweet cup of chai upon arrival...lovely smoky flavour from the dung fire used to heat it.



The family cow was rather disappointed to be moved from her familiar night's spot right next to the house, but not at all unhappy to watch and provide a place for others to lean...

The fabulous dandia dancing... clapping sticks and twists and turns , all could be involoved from youngest to oldest although it is mostly for the children and younger adults.

Some of the children asked me if I wanted to eat chapatti...not thinking of what would happen I said, "oh yes please!"

Being Australian I thought of dinner with the family...being Indian my hosts were thinking -sit her in the corner on the only pillow like a queen and produce a huge pile of chappatti and wonderful spiced dal and vegetables and we all watch her eat!

First they were amazed at the slow speed I eat at...at one stage some of the girls were even offering to feed me! not a problem for them...and then I made the faux pas of dropping food on myself--aahhh...this is with about 12 people watching and various neighbours wandering through to witness the family's good fortune of having a foreign visitor in their home,... and continuous questions -me with sssooo little Hindi, they with so little English -about all our lives and families.

Luckily Ramsingh was dragged in as well and I could persuade him to share the food. None of my hosts could do that as they were the host, and I know it is most improper to waste any food. a moments panic at the end as they kept offering seconds and I thought were about to take my bowl and fill it forcably...

All in all a wonderful experience, this is not the place to be shy...

Ok, workman finished dirt and dust everywhere I am off to swill water all through the house and clean up for the next tradesman to come and make a mess...oohh don't think I am grumpy, eveything is so new it is better to be happy and amused by it all...and think of the lovely exercise I am getting- cheaper than a gym and more productive....

I must tell you about clothes washing sometime....

Pushkar- home making

Sunset from my rooftop...feels like you are climbing Mt Everest to get up there!
But it is a lovely place to take a soda with fresh lime juice and sit a while at the end of the day...
out to the left is the beginning of the Thar Desert, if you go that way far enough you would eventually come to the fabled Jaisalmir and then the Pakisthan border...

My first week in residence was ssssoooo noisy each day, as a group made a new road by hand....
this is the follow up crew, finishing edges and spreading sand to protect the new surface...

The view through my front door...
I live in an old hotel so this is the door,
not happy with the lack of privacy I asked if we might build some type of door in?
Not a problem...all built specifically and delivered 1 week later it is currently being installed, a man arrived last night with a sledge hammer and started whacking the plaster off the surrounds and ....well the part I notice is that the kitchen and half the house is covered in masonary dust!
I must admit to not being fond of housework...but have been keeping on top of things, especially here with so many 'visitors' checking us out and what we are doing....
ooohh well when the dust settles [ha, ha... this is India -it is always dusty]
I can start upstairs and swill the steps with water and make a flood to come down through the kitchen, through the sitting area and out the drain.
One thing about a house predominently lined with marble is you just lift things off the floor and sweep water through the lot.
How did I manage with carpet etc back in OZ? Easy mostly I just ignored the dust and kept working, only used candle light when there was visitors for dinner and pay the price when moving out of a huge shock! Did you know that dust can actually build up to knee height in remote corners!!
7.00am and the workman has just arrived to continue pounding and finish off the door...efficient or what!

We don't have a hand drill to put some screws in the hang up a few textiles and pictures on the walls ...the done thing is to call a tradesman and then like Lady Muck I stroll around the house pointing out where the drilling is to be done....I am a girl who is used to doing everything herself!!!!
This is so weird.
Still here is our young man, valiently drilling into the masonary with a wood bit....notice the power plug...We don't have an extension cord so screw holes with limited to the length of the lead...

A visitor to my office...a lot of wildlife passes through the house.
This fellow I caught and put outside...
I have a squirrel in the sitting room, apparently if I coax him with food he will become quiet friendly and assorted sparrows [all boys] that keep their eyes open for any doors left open to rooms with mirrors in so they can go and look at themselves.
Parveen asked how I knew they were boy sparrows, I replied it must be obvious, they are looking at themselves in the Mirror!!
Our men here [especially Rajputs, perhaps] are quiet like peacocks.