Beads

[sorteep]

I've lost track... has everyone rc'd them ?? I am still interested in hearing what everyone picked, why and what affirmation goes with who and what bead?? (I'm putting my book together and want to notate it).. are we doing this here or on Yahoo?? anyone????

[melissakc]

I'll start.

I chose the African turquoise bead (round, turquoise but not brightly colored) and my quote is the one by Nietzsche on the paper with stars in the background.

[Undercover Hippie]

My bead is the metal/enamel one that's burgundy with pink flowers and green leaves outlined in gold. I signed my note/quote with my name. And LOL about how many of us chose that quote--I think it is awesome!

[renaissanceed]

I finally got mine, but I know that Monica (I think - boogiemonster) is still waiting for hers up here in the frozen north.

I chose a round wooden one, sort of orangeish with lines cut into it (hard to describe). I was trying to find something sort of African or that reminded me of mangoes because I had just finished reading Monique and the Mango Rains, which is a book about a young midwife in Mali written by a woman who had volunteered with the Peace Corps. It's a terrific and inspiring book and an easy read too.

My quote is the one about opening your hands, heart and cervix. After I sent it I felt badly because I realize that some of us will have caesarean births and the quote might not apply entirely to them, but I know that everyone's hearts and hands are open and welcoming for their babes.

[Heather Marie]

I am still interested in this also.

I strung my beads the other night. It was much easier than I thought. DH is going to help me post a picture later...never done that before. Stringing them was very special and I am just so happy that I participated. I love each and every bead!

I wrote on my quote my user name and what bead I chose and why.

[AimeeandBrian]

My bead is the red clay one. It was the most natural material I could find at the shop, and I liked that it seemed to have a good luck clover on it.

My quote is the Gloria Steinem one.

[boogiemonster]

Mine came today!!!

Mine was the round orange-y one that is supposed to be sea bamboo. You can kind of see the little brown bamboo-like spots if you look carefully. I chose it because bamboo is so sustainable and resiliant and it reminded me of the strength of all the mamas I know and care about.

I signed my quote by Mother Teresa...although not specifically about birth, it's about love, which encompasses motherhood as a whole for me.

Yay!

[kathteach]

I picked the glass bluebird bead. I saw it when I was online shopping and loved it right away. When I was really little, I saw a Shirley Temple movie on tv called The Bluebird of Happiness. I don't remember much of it, but one scene was very powerful and stuck with me. It showed this place where spirits were waiting to be born. When it was their time, they sailed off on ships with their birth year on them. I remember there were two teenagers in love, but one sailed off to the 1800's and another to another century.

I couldn't find any great bluebird quotes, so I picked a favorite poem by Langston Hughes that compares unrealized dreams to a crippled bird. I feel like all of us are realizing our dreams for a healthy birth, and that makes us special and strong.

[sorteep]

(KathTeach !! I totally remember that Shirley T movie.. how sweet)

I chose the 8 mm unakite bead with the affirmation labeled

I looked at firemountain and just browsed and kept being drawn to the unakite (had never heard of it) as well as the amber and another I don't remember , I liked the fall colors and the variation.. I wanted the 10mm beads to represent 10 cm dilation (if applicable) but was afraid I would be short a few beads so I compromised on the 8 mm.. my final decision on the unakite was made when I read it is the stone representing strength of uterus and childbirth!! That totally explained why I was drawn to it!

I liked the affirmation since I felt it was short and to the point as well as broadly appropriate no matter the circumstances...

(this is fun!)

[pixiesmommy]

Mine was the little square snowflake obsidian bead.

When I read what it meant, I couldn't help but pick that one. I signed my explanation. The part about helping to absorb fear and protecting us from abuse really hit home for me.

We are fragile in birth and I hope this stone and the knowledge that there is a big online community of strong women with you in spirit will strengthen you and your birth.

----
Can you guys tell me more about how you are making your books? I'm curious and think I might make one, but I don't know how to get started!
-------
Manda

[Heather Marie]

Here is a picture of the necklace I made with my birth beads:

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...BirthBeads.jpg

[Isaac'sMa]

I like you necklace, Heather! I just bought a bunch of spacer beads, clasps etc today and am getting excited to string the necklace.

I chose a carnelian bead (orangish) and included a little explanation about some of its properties and why I chose it on the same page as my quote. I signed the back of the paper, so hopefully you'll know which one I sent! You can see the carnelian bead two beads to the right of the largest center bead in Heather's pic. Although, of course, they don't all look exactly the same

Carnelian represents the second chakra (genitals), monitors sexuality and reproduction. carnelian is used for energy, calming the temper and giving a sense of humor (among other things). I figured all of these things would be useful during labor!

[melissakc]

Heather, I love it! So sparkly!

[crystalalene]

I finally got my beads!!
They are beautiful. I never could have imagined the variety we all chose.

The bead I chose was a little pearl (they are natural, not perfect circles) because they are so meaningful and I love the idea that they grow from a tiny speck into something so beautiful and unique, like our babies growing in us!

My quote was printed on cream paper that says 'a baby is god's opinion that life should go on.' It was a quote given to me at my shower for dc1 and it has always stuck in my mind so I wanted to share it with all of you.

This was a great experience. : Thanks to everyone who participated. It was fun, too.

[LittleBrownDog]

I made an ankle bracelet with my beads! I will get a pic up soon. Mine was the little ceramic turquoise-y looking bead, and the quote was handwritten on green paper- ""Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." -- Lin Yutang.

I love ALL of the beads- DD had a great time helping me choose the order to put them on the bracelet. Thank you so much!!!

[sorteep]

bump for updates!!

[cheeseRjedi]

I picked a small round wooden bead. My quote was "Making the desicion to have a child is momentous - it's to decide to have your heart walking around outside your body".

[Curlita]

Originally Posted by sorteep

my final decision on the unakite was made when I read it is the stone representing strength of uterus and childbirth!! That totally explained why I was drawn to it!

Great minds think alike! I picked unakite for the same reason. Instead of a quote I included a little blurb on what unakite is made of and what it means, and signed it.

[Taradactyl3]

Mine are small moonstones, which look white with purple undertones.

Moonstone is claimed to promote long life and happiness and is said to attract friendship and loyalty towards the wearer. It acts as a mediator between mind and emotions and allows peace of mind and accessibility to one's inner self. Helps soothe and balance emotion. In healing terms, it is often used to reduce excess fluid in the body and to reduce the swelling caused by this fluid. Used in women suffering from pre-menstrual tension. Gives inspiration, encourages personal attachments. Helps obtain humanitarian love, romance and sensitivity. Opens one to "feminine" qualities-receptivity, sensitivity, intuition, clairvoyance, for female problems & emotional balance. Moonstone is said to have powers that aid in nurturing receptivity and balancing of the emotions. Because of it's feminine nature, Moonstone has long been considered a "women's healing stone." It is used traditionally for healing/balancing of female organs and hormones. Protective for women and babies.


My quote is "Simple pleasures are life's greatest treasures."

Tara

[boogiemonster]

Originally Posted by cheeseRjedi

I picked a small round wooden bead. My quote was "Making the desicion to have a child is momentous - it's to decide to have your heart walking around outside your body".

Cathy, this quote always makes me cry. It's totally true.