Another brilliant piece from a GUNNAS WRITING MASTERCLASS writer.
Seventeen years ago I came up with the idea to write a book about selected pieces of jewellery that I’d bought on my travels. Each piece has a story to tell about their origins, attraction and how they came to be in a multi-cultural collection in Australia. The book is intended to have drawings as well as text, a way to express my creativity in two ways.
Each day I choose my jewellery to match my mood, clothes and plans for the day. For the ‘Gunna Master Class’ run by Catherine Deveny, I chose two pieces of power jewellery. One was a pair of Pre-Colombian inspired goddess earrings bought in Costa Rica. the other a gold vajra bought for me by my husband in Kathmandu. These were selected as they are both strong pieces that bring confidence with them. Confidence to face the challenges of putting my ideas out to the world. Hence the Masterclass.
The jewellery also takes me back to the experiences associated with the places they were bought. When I write about them I’m transported in space and time. An added bonus. Firstly to 1998 when I travelled to Costa Rica to attend a meeting of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). What struck me most about the meeting was the instant coffee in the breaks (a surprise in a country known for it’s coffee beans), the great dance music at the conference dinner, and the lack of credence given to Traditional Ecological Knowledge. These people now have more of a voice in climate change discussions, although western science still dominates. To me the goddess earrings I bought in Costa Rica represented the impressive pre-European history of that part of the world and the power of women.
Fast forward 12 years to Kathmandu and the vajra pendant, made of gold and semi-precious stones. Bought as a surprise gift for me by my husband who risked life and limb crossing the streets in the city. The vajra is a Buddhist symbol, also described as a thunder-bolt, that has spiritual power. It was a perfect memento from our trip to Nepal and Tibet.