Shiviti Chadashah!

 

This is a commissioned piece made to honor the outgoing president of a non-profit organization. 

A Shiviti is typically a tapestry that adorns a prayer stand or a drawing that adorns a page in a prayer book. This is a wall mounted piece of fused glass. The chamsah (hand) and all the bead work as well as the rainbow ribbon framing edges are all made of dichroic glass. It is the focal point for contemplation and meditation.

Is it perfect? NO.....what is? But it was a delight to make and I learned a lot both in researching the symbols as well as constructing the piece.

Chadasha? It means new. This is my modern take on the Shiviti. I think I will be making other new versions of the Shiviti. I am inspired!

Copper-ific: Finished

This is the piece commissioned as a gift for the outgoing board chairman of a local non profit jewish agency. 
It is wall mounted. 

The Words in hebrew are Mee Ha-eesh...which in common vernacular translates to "Who Da Man?" Thes are the first two words taken from Psalms 34:13-15. The entire phrase is translated as, "Who is the man, who wants life, loves all his days, and sees the goodness." It is not really a question...rather it is an instruction.  

The backing is a sheet of hand-polished copper. 1/4" above it is a sheet of clear tekta that I covered with black stringer and tack fused. 1/8" above that is a black rainbow iridescent, clear capped disk with hebrew lettering cut out of dichroic glass and a small chamsah (also dichroic.)

I hope the recipient likes it.  He worked hard to benefit the community and deserves praise and recognition.

CHAMSAH PLATE DONATION

My synagogue has an annual auction. This is my donation.
Hoping they get a reasonable price. 

The chamsah is made with dichroic glass. The dish is slumped into an origami mold. I might have to make another one or two of these!

The shul is about to celebrate it's 150th anniversary. If you scroll down you can see the first of two Torah Adornments I am making for the lobby art show.

More info to come...but first, I need to finish cutting the glass for the second adornment I am making.

...stay tuned!

Healing Hands Fused Glass Commission

It was an honor to create this 12x12 sushi style plate . This was a commissioned piece gifted to a humble and gracious woman for the generous work she has done in her community. 

I am told the gift was well received and appreciated by both the group of individuals who commissioned it, as well as by the recipient. 

As always, the plate was accompanied by a written explanation of the artwork, as well as a blessing for the recipient. I must confess, this is my favorite kind of work....creating commissioned work to be gifted to those who readily gift the community with their volunteer spirit!

Chamsah Plate: A Healing Hand

8"x8" sushi style plate. The chamsah (aka Hand of Fatima, Hand of Miriam, Hand of Mary, Hamsah) is a middle east amulet signifying keeping away "the evil eye." It is made from clear dichroic glass and is quite striking in person. This plate is a commissioned piece on its way to California, a 60th birthday present.