October 18, 2019
Last summer I chanced on a Lily Fest in the woods near Forst Grove. I reported here in July on the floral beauty I saw that day.
I also met two sweet young people who were selling home-made jewelry at the site. They had a collapsable stand and more wares in a trailer that they could use to replenish what sold. Their prices were astonishingly decent, the beads on offer covered a large variety, and their designs ranged from simple to elegant. They describe some of their work here.
Rhiannon and Cory Holbert caught my eye first and foremost because of the way they interacted with each other – it had LOVE spelled all over it. I mean this with all sincerity – sometimes you see couples who simply glow in each other’s presence, who talk to each other with their eyes, no words needed. That was the case here.
A later conversation revealed they have weathered hard times together, stabilized each other in overcoming obstacles that would have completely wrecked lives if encountered alone. Rhiannon has loved and worked with crystals since she was a child. Both now have full-time employment that is physical and hard, using the evenings despite fatigue to make their jewelry and spending the weekends on the circuit of small fairs and festival to sell their goods. More power to them!
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Crystals, semi-precious and precious gem stones applied to works of art have of course a long history. I remember seeing a collection of Fabergé eggs in the Ford Gallery on 12th ST/5th Ave right across from the New School. You could just walk in, no admission charged, and ruminate about these creations and their history (and escape the heat since the dark rooms were air conditioned.) The gallery closed late in 2014.
A strangely reminiscent modern alternative can be found here:
Before we are all in awe of such creativity, we should read about the politics of mining crystals, though. Yes, I know it’s Friday, and we don’t need any more bad news after an atrocious week, but I can’t help it. Developing countries’ lives are at stake, as is environmental degradation for our follies.
If you at least glance at the article you know why today’s music is coming from Madagascar.
