October 26, 2009

Fabric Cuff with Vintage Key - BE In the Moment


BE In the Moment Cuff Bracelet - BUY HERE

I have a fascination with old vintage keys and white shell buttons... why? I'm not sure if it is the functional aspect of useful things or if it is the shape, color and feel of them in your hand.

Could it be the mystery surrounding them? What purpose did they serve, whose hand held them before mine? I wonder where they were used - what lock did this key fit into?

I picked this key up at an estate sale that I stumbled onto in a little white bungalow on a lonely dead end street. It was an estate sale filled with things I love and I loaded up on keys, watches, glassware, vintage purses and a garden knome.

I use vintage keys in my work whenever possible, this particular key was hammered and shaped into a curve to fit onto a fabric cuff bracelet with the word BE stamped on the shank.

BE is a common thought of mine, a reminder to BE in the moment - something I have to work at constantly. My mind races with thoughts of design, things I need to do in my day to day life, things I "should" be doing, and plans for the future...always seeking...grasping...clinging...
It can be exhausting at times. The more things I add to my "to do" list the more frantic my thoughts become...
I remind myself to let go, breathe and BE in the moment. Enjoy my breath. This sounds so simple, but is really a challenge. Breath in - 1,2,3,4 - then Breath out - 1,2,3,4

Try it - BE present in the moment and watch your monkey mind begin to jump around...clinging, grasping, swinging from thought to thought...


I love the red fabric used for this cuff - it changes in the light from dark red to bright red as you move. Red symbolizes action, energy, passion, and life force for me and is the counter to just BEing.

I have heard that the type of key used for this cuff is the type used for locks in churches or other community shops in small communities when the night patrol had one key that fit many businesses along their patrol route.
This black vintage button is made of bakelite and fits into an elastic closure allowing the bracelet to fit varying size wrists and flexes easily as you move about your day making the cuff more comfortable to wear and it's easy to take on and off, too.

My question to you dear friends - When was the last time you could BE in the Moment? How do you relax? Where does your monkey mind go?

Ready to meditate? Visit these useful sites:
Free Meditations
Meditation Station
Meditation Techniques
Meditation for Stress Management

8 comments:

Leslie @ Bei Mondi said...

Cool, funky, and just gorgeous! Love it, Julie!

Rory said...

Dear julie!, Thanks for the visit and comment on my blog! was a real pleasure to know your wonderful creations!, congratulations for your beautiful blog!.
I hope to read them soon from me, I will follow and will comment very happy here with you ^ ^.
A hug!.
Rory.

Lori said...

that is gorgeous...i love how you incorporated the key...that is really clever and looks fantastic!!!

Esther said...

Julie!! just perfect and amazing!! very coooooooooooooool!! i love all your work, but this one is so unique!!

Sissy Sparrows said...

Hi Julie....I just found your blog, and have spent a LOT of time on here.....you have amazing jewelry, I love all the wire work....and LOVE keys as well. You also have great writing skills that keep your fellow bloggers captive! Look forward to following your journey!

Lynne's Somewhat Invented Life said...

This is so pretty and so mysterious too--I wonder what the key went to. You do lovely work.

I will have to come back another day and check out the links.

I love the idea of Be in the moment. I am always either reliving the BAD past, not the GOOD past, or fearing the BAD future, not the EXTRAORDINARY future. I'm going to try and be better about this. Thanks for the reminder.

Dorthe said...

Dear Julie,
your cuff is fantastic beautifull,and the work you did with the key so wonderfull.What a piece of art.
Love and hugs, Dorthe

Lee Weber said...

Lovely- my "key" word is BREATHE.