made by HAND

 possibility : in your hands 

- by Adi Cloete

photo by Renee Best: beautifulstruggleproductions

Hands symbolize action & power. 
The ability to create, nurture, love , communicate and destroy. 


I sometimes think about all the things that I've used my hands for. Everyday things like cooking and gardening and doing the washing and dishes and driving and typing and and and... the list goes on. 
How many onions have I chopped? 
How many cups of tea made? 
And how many times have I switched my computer on?

And in a professional capacity hands using hammers, sawing and soldering to create the jewellery thoughts of my head.
Sometimes people ask if you cut a ring off from a long tube and wallah! you have a ring? Emm not quite in this instance. You see,  I am the machine. The ring is hand made.

Last year Fine Ounce launched with the 56 rings exhibition. Our invite poster had the image of a hand. Apart from the fact that the 56 rings on show was created to adorn the hand, it was also to remind of the fact that our work is made by the hand and art works, carrying the unique essence of each creator. 

Signed with a unique finger print.

World wide there is a revival and greater awareness for things handmade.  Something being unique, quality and a more personal interaction dealing with the artist or crafter is carrying weight over that of buying mass produced things.

And by doing so you also help to sustain the dreams and life of the creator. 

The importance of the hand is also expressed in various cultures as a symbol or being adorned and incorporated in rituals.

Hand of Fatiema or Hamsa hand

the Hamsa hand is an ancient symbol and has been used for thousands of years across the Middle East and Africa. It represents blessing and strength and is used as protection against the evil eye. 

Archaeologists found that the Hamsa hand originated with the Phoenicians ( a civilization living along the Mediterranean coast line around 1550 BC to 300 BC). They used the Hamsa hand as a protection symbol of an ancient Middle Eastern goddess. The Hamsa hand has always been a symbol of a female entity that offers protection from evil and misfortune. 

The word Hamsa means five. 

In Judaism the Hamsa hand symbolize the Hand of God, but is also called the Hand of Miriam (Miriam is the sister of Moses and Aaron).

For Islam the Hamsa hand is known as the Hand of Fatima.  Fatima was the daughter of Mohamed the prophet of Islam who is thought to have had healing healing powers. The Hand of Fatima, like in Jewish tradition, is used to protect from misfortune and bad luck but is by no means considered a religious symbol.

Buddhism uses several hand gestures or mudras conveying specific messages as part of  the teachings of Buddha.

Mehndi, the art of henna painting on the body, has been practiced for centuries in India, Africa and the Middle East.Traditionally it is used for weddings , celebrations and rites of passage ceremonies.

Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
The hand prints are those of the wives of a Maharajah killed in battle, and where made at the entrance of the fort as they left as part of the funeral procession, to be immolated on his funeral pyre. This funeral practice was called sati and has been banned in India since the 1800's.

upper arm bangle # untitled
silver & garnet
Adi Cloete - Firepetals
'I created this bangle after seeing the panel of hand prints  at the entrance to the Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur.To me the bangle symbolize  of the transient nature of life, love and beauty.
The hand holds a silver heart, with a garnet heart st into it. The intricate patterns is hand engraved, resembling mehndi designs decorating the hands of brides. The flowers reminds of beauty that wilts soon. '   

Hands in jewellery. 
From left to right : Hand ring by BloodMilk, Rose gold & diamond Irish Claddagh ring, Hand with ring earrings by Margaux Lange

till next time - Good Bye!