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Mavromatis means "Black Eyes" and is named after Ms. Bakers Great Aunt Ethel. She was a legend in our family, never forgetting a birthday, climbing ladders to tend her tomatoes within weeks of her hip operation, and an accomplished crocheter, among her MANY talents. Rebecca’s first sight of bead crochet was the long chain stitched necklaces that Aunt Ethel had made with colored crystal beads.

Can be worn as shown, with a tailored shirt for a feminine look, or would be equally charming paired with a strapless top or dress, or even a thin strapped chemise.

Light weight, elaborately crocheted in mercerized cotton thread, Mavromatis is even hand washable in cool water and can be ironed on a low setting. If you want to make a statement, but not carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, this is the neckpiece for you!

Mavromatis Crocheted Collar

detail of Mavromatis

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Introducing Hadarah for the Home

because "Home is where the Art is"

"Flower #1" - Thread Painting

detail of flower

This mini-quilt with ‘thread sculpture’ embroidery in the center is the first installment in our ‘Chateau’ collection. All cotton fabric, batting, and thread, it measures approximately 9” by 9”. It is a flower of my own imagining, since most of mine aren’t blooming just yet. Yellow flower with red edges and emerald green leaves with a black background, marbled forest green inner border, black outer border, and green leaf print binding. It is signed on the back and ready to hang with a small ‘sleeve’ for a simple thin dowel and wire (included).

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TSUNAMI MANDALA

“The Jewel in the Heart of the Lotus”

By Rebecca Lynn Baker

2005

Tsunami Mandala is 33” in diameter

This mandala quilt was auctioned for Charity in July, 2005. The winning bid was $175! Thank you to the winning bidder and to all who bid to help make a difference!

The proceeds were sent to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (of which the American Red Cross is a member)

The Story behind the Quilt

Origin of the idea:

Everyone’s life is touched by suffering and grief to some degree, and 2004 brought losses I had never before experienced. Then the tsunami of December 2004 happened, with all its attendant shock, horror, and grief. I felt unable to come to terms with much of what I was feeling, with my own losses and this pervading sense of global grief. I turned to ideas that I had started to explore some years back – the teachings of noted Buddhist monk and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hanh, in order to regain some sort of footing in my desperate climb for sanity and healing. As I went through the mindfulness exercises, it occurred to me that even a little mindfulness goes a very long way in coming to terms with tragedy, be it personal or global.

As time wore on, I read that many humanitarian organizations were calling for donations to causes other than the tsunami – enough money had been raised to help deal with the aftermath of one crisis, but more was needed for other areas with other emergencies. And with the recent bombings in London, and really, suffering all around us on so many levels, now is a good time to try to create a little peace. This mandala is my offering to assist in some small way the tremendous effort that many are making to alleviate anguish and hopelessness throughout the world.

Using this Mandala:

This quilt can be either hung on a wall, or utilized as a meditation mat. Its purpose is to assist in defining sacred space. The ‘mantras’ around the edges and the one in the middle are really there for inspiration and guidance. Saying them to yourself, or some shortened version, can help you focus on an area you’d like to explore with mindfulness. There are seven mantras in total, one for each day of the week, with the most basic being the one at the ‘top’, about awareness of the breath. This mantra brings us to the beginning of mindfulness practice. The center mantra, ‘Om Mani Padme Huum’, roughly translates to ‘The Jewel in the Heart of the Lotus’. It’s sort of a summary of the mantras on the petals, and the significance of this can be said as: “The Lotus Flower has always been a significant plant all over the world: this is no different in Buddhism. It signifies two things. One is purity. The Lotus Flower grows in swamps and bogs; places we call "disgusting" and yet it is one of the most beautiful flowers on earth, un-besmirched by the filth around it. In Buddhism, this symbolizes the True Buddha Nature existing in all living things. The second thing it signifies is Cause and Effect: this is because the flower blooms and makes seeds at the same time. Cause and Effect happen at the same time; like this. They are not detached from each-other. The cause and the effect are one.”

While this is a ‘meditation mat’, and can be used for sitting meditation, by no means should you feel limited to practicing mindfulness meditation only when sitting. You can practice while walking, sitting at a stoplight, hugging, before you answer the telephone…really, at all times.

The fabrics and this mandala pattern:

The lead fabric is a print that reminds me of the tiles frequently found in mosques, and I was struck by all the times I have heard of sacred buildings being the only ones left standing after disasters such as the tsunami. After the Northridge earthquake of 1994, one particular church survived mostly unscathed, though across the street was a scene of tragic death, and this church served as a communication center for the victims and their families. These buildings, and their amazing survival, can help communities focus on rebuilding after a disaster, both physically and spiritually.

The rest of the fabrics are a mix – black velvet for the sleep of death, gold for the sun and for hope, and ordinary cottons, because I wanted this to have an ‘everyday usage’ sort of feeling. The cotton embroidery is chunky and childlike, to bring to mind the children who are gone, or have lost families, or who have been exploited. Cotton and monofilament were used in the machine quilting, the batting is cotton and the backing is acetate satin.

The shape of this mandala is a lotus, like the ones the Buddha is frequently pictured sitting on. It was foundation pieced, in an original design.

The following is excerpted from the website for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (www.ifrc.org):

“In a world of poverty, war, displacement and disaster, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies serves those in need without regard as to race, religion, class or political belief.

The International Federation directs and coordinates international assistance to some of the world's most vulnerable people. Together with Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, the Federation acts locally to respond to humanitarian challenges everywhere, everyday.”

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I Dream of the Ocean

This exquisite piece was recently on display in the "Absolutely Beads 2002" exhibition at

Beads and Beyond in Bellevue, WA (Dec. 2002). It is a crocheted lace collar made

with silk thread, glass seed beads, stone chips, metal "oceanic" charms, and features a

beaded bezel set ocean picture stone cabochon. This item is not for sale.

details

Sarah's Szur

Based on a Traditional Hungarian Style Coat...It's sort of like an overcoat with very wide flat lapels and a large, squared off flap in back. These flaps were used by Hungarian shepherds as hoods in inclement weather, and are wonderful areas for embellishment. Traditionally, they have a buckle closure at the top near the collar, and were worn as capes. This szur, made for my niece, is a combination of cotton flannel and acetate satin lining and lapels, with velvet leaf appliqués ,gold machine embroidery, and green and gold jewel buttons with gold tissue lame closures.

Special Order One Today!

Prices start at $200 for a basic one-size coat. A basic coat is lined, with no embellishment or closures, but the possibilities are limitless.

Please e-mail us for further details if you are interested.

Chattaroy Flat Earth Society Collection

This collection was made for the Founder of the Chattaroy Flat Earth Society. Hey, just because we don't all share the same opinions, doesn't mean we all shouldn't be beautifully accessorized!

Similar items are available by commission...just e-mail us for details.

Butterfly Garden

This is a queen size quilt that Rebecca made in early to mid 2003

as a wedding present for some good friends.

"Cat by Day, Cat by Night"

"Cat by Day... Cat by Night"

Rebecca is very happy to have created this very special beaded crochet amulet/spirit pouch (or small evening bag) as a donation item for the Seattle Humane Society’s Tuxes & Tails Celebrity & Pet Fashion Show and Auction, which was held April 26th, 2003.

This event raised over $500,000 to support programs and services of the local Humane Society which are necessary to build lifelong relationships between people and their pets.

Named "Cat by Day, Cat by Night", this is a sort of ‘folk art’ interpretation of just a little bit of the life of her calico cat whom she adopted from the Humane Society about six years ago. The "Cat by Day" side shows her sitting with sleepy eyes, not minding the gathering of mice on the side. The "Cat by Night" side shows her with bright eyes peering up at the silvery Moon, unafraid of the glowing eyes in the shadows.

For more information about the Seattle Humane Society, visit their website at http://www.seattlehumane.org/index.html.

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