This was a very challenging project for me in many ways.
After my decision to restart with a black outline, I realized I was out of both black resist and silk. I quickly ordered more. Fortunately, Dharma Trading, where I buy all my silk supplies, has VERY fast shipping. My supplies arrived in less than a week. But meanwhile, my whole family had been hit with this awful flu that’s been going around New England this spring. A cough that has moved in and is building a permanent abode in each one of our chests. It knocked me flat for more than a week. It took some time before I could even look at the silk, let alone get started. In fact my package from Dharma sat, unopened, on my counter for days.
I finally stopped trying so hard, and as is the case with many things in life, when I let go and let God… well things just started to flow.Finally feeling almost human, I began work. But… as per my last blog post, the color swatch just didn’t seem to go with anything! Every color combination I picked was, at first, just awful.
… but in the end. WOW. I LOVE how it came out. I hope you do too.
A note about the symbolism of the Hamsa.
It is one of my favorite Jewish symbols. A symbol of protection the hamsa is supposed to represent the hand of God. The stylized symbolic hand has been seen in many cultures throughout history including Middle Eastern religions and African cultures. For me personally, it is a unifying symbol. All humans regardless of race or creed have hands in common, after all.
The Atarah or “crown” of the tallis
traditionally has the prayer we say when donning the tallis. This one has a different prayer it reads:
“May my heart be opened, may my spirit become clear, as I envelop myself in the tallit.” which comes from The Book of Blessings .
This is the first kippah I made to go with the tallis. It is very pretty, but it is also a bit big; much more suited to an adult than a young bat mitzvah. I will list this larger one on my etsy site to be sold separately.
The next kippah is much smaller. A better fit, it will accompany the tallis.
As always, Kippah keepers are sewn securely in place. This yarmulke will NOT fall off!
Sharon Coleman 