Ceremonial…. You just gotta go with the flow...

Sigh… This blog… I have had it for many years and the last little while, I’ve had writers block and just can’t seem to write.. today I will try.. I am so moved by living and working in Bali. I want to  try to describe to you a little of my experience. As some of you know, I travel the world and make jewelry along the way. I find wise and knowing silversmiths and goldsmiths and sit with them, talk with them, learn from them and sometimes am lucky enough to work with them. It is not an easy road to travel, staying true to values while trying to make a living, but it is what I do and I would much rather go with the flow of how ‘they’ work, then force my own agenda on a culture that works so differently.

Bali

July 2, 2014

I had a meeting with Nyoman this morning. It is has been 8 weeks since I took my designs to him.. I asked him to make me 20 pieces and 5 samples.  This should take about one week.. I know this. It has been 8 weeks and one sample is finished along with the 20 pieces.. I am not in a hurry and it is frustrating at times, but I also understand that here in Bali, the most important thing is ceremony.. And there are a lot of ceremonies here. When there is a ceremony, work stops and life revolves around it. The last 8 weeks have been a time of many many ceremonies, including Galangan, where the Balinese ask their ancestors for forgiveness and guidance. It is a 10+ day ceremony where there are preparations before, making food and offerings to the Gods, the day of Galangan there are processions and performances throughout the island. It is beautiful! 10 days later is Kuningan where they send the spirits back and continue thanking them for their guidance. This day is spent in a temple. Then there are cremations, when someone in a village dies, the whole village is involved in the ceremony which takes a full day or two or three. This is just a small example of what happens here in Bali. So, navigating this within the world of trying to get things done, can be quite challenging. But as a business woman who believes in the people I am working with,

I realize, I must go with the flow.. The flow of their pace and schedule. So, I too, have tried to plan accordingly in my deadlines and timings of production. As working against it just simply DOES NOT WORK! So, I have most of my new pieces.. They have made it through all the ceremonies and are blessed for you to wear, on your wrist, your ears, you neck…

Please know, these are made by hand, by beautiful soft people and are designed with so much love.

www.karazidesign.com

Here is to going with the flow.. May you too, feel that in your life.

New locations in the Pacific NW

Well, it's been a while. We've been busy around here!

You can now find the NEW Bali Collection at several sweet boutiques and museums around the Pacific NW

check out the new spots.

KOBO in Japan town and Capitol Hill. A great boutique in Seattle for high end Japanese inspired gifts, amazing jewelry and fine art from artists around the world.

NEW!!! Hitchcock in Madronna. One of the hippest jewelry shops around. Check them out. The new Bali Collection fits in perfectly with this classic, yet edgy shop.

Vixen in Magnolia. This wonderful buzzing day spa and boutique, reflects the amazing energy of it's owner Courean. Love this place, cute clothes, great jewelry and great spa services!

Les Amis in Fremont. Oh la la... My favorite place to shop for clothes in Seattle. So excited to have my jewelry there!

COMING SOON! Museum of Glass in Tacoma. Dale Chihuly's Glass Museum.. Need I say more!

You can also buy this jewelry online here

In addition to this:

Samia will be giving a talk in Wisconsin
 River Arts on the Water
Monday October 15 at 6pm
Journey's East: The dying art of Traditional Metalsmithing

Full Power

Wow! The last month has been, as I like to say, FULL POWER! Taking a moment to breathe and absort all the beauty around me.... 2 weeks left here in Bali... I can't believe it's been 3 months. At the moment I am sitting in my room listening to the frogs, the music of the gamelan in the distance, watching the fireflies outside the window and taking in paradise. As, the last month has been full on and it's easy to let the beauty slip into the daily routine.

I've been working hard on my jewelry as well as on a beautiful collaboration called Amari... My goal as an artist and as a woman in this world is to work with the people I meet when I travel. I love combining my art with the art of the region, working with the local artisans to create little pieces of beauty to adorn the body, or in a word.. jewelry..

Bali is known for it's carvers, so I've been working with a carver here. He has carved amazing pieces with beautiful Balinese designs. It's been a 6 week process, but finally yesterday, I received my last bits from him. I have taken them all to a silversmith and he is creating the carvings into jewelry. It is all very exciting and I can't wait to show you the finished products.. SOON!! so so SOON..

Alongside my own jewelry, I am working on a new project called Amari with my friend Rachel. Our moto is 'inspired by women to give back to women'. We have begun to work with unemployed crafts women here in Bali and are designing a whole line of jewelry, to then employ the women to make it. It's been a wild and fast ride into something very exciting.. We will launch the website soon, as well.

In the meantime, enjoy the 'in process' photos..

soon to be Karazi Design's Bali Collection!

carved buddha heads

making jewels with the women

javanese glass beads... and carved horn