Mandala LXXVI and Mandala LXXVII

(Above:  Mandala LXXVI. Framed and hung as a diamond: 20" x 20"; as a square: 14 1/4" x 14 1/4".  Found objects hand-stitched to a block from an antique quilt. Found objects include: Vintage, circular View-Master like slide reel; shower curtain hooks; English copper pennies; blue water bottle caps; sewing machine bobbins; cotter pins; faux coin dangles; brass screw eyes; vintage capacitors; buttons;  and two parts of a Department of Commerce award (the palmetto tree/crescent moon charms and the hanging device with the word "commerce".  Click on any image to enlarge.)

This small mandala was inspired by a generous donation to my found object stash.  A friend who is retiring from the local Sonoco Recycling company dropped by an entire box full of little, gold boxes.  Inside were pins from the South Carolina Department of Commerce.  For some reason, this government agency didn't need as many as they once ordered. They gave them to my friend at the recycling center who then passed them on to me. 

(Above:  One of about sixty pins from the Department of Commerce.)

As pins, they didn't appeal to me but I couldn't resist the palmetto tree/crescent moon charm.  It's our state symbol.  It would be simple to stitch in place.  As I took them apart, I noticed the ribbon's hanging device with the word "commerce".  I saved these.  The boxes also had cute little hinges, the sort with prongs that puncture the cardboard.  I kept them too.  I'm sure these items will make future appearances on new mandalas!

 

(Above:  Mandala LXXVII. Framed and hung as a square: 27 3/8" x 27 3/8"; as a diamond: 38 3/4" x 38 3/4".  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of vintage utilitarian quilt.  Found objects include: A part of a vintage sconce light fixture that included hanging prisms; seven carved wooden napkin rings featuring wild animals; lots of plastic toy animals; blue casino chips; red, vintage Cosby whisky swizzles featuring parrots; keys; laminated Tampa Nugget cigar bands; hangers for metal picture frames; Nespresso coffee capsules; buttons; flat bone beads; plastic gold beads; and green African sea glass beads.)

Mandala LXXVII was inspired by the wooden napkin rings.  The carved wild animals reminded me of souvenirs from Kenya.  I was lucky enough to have visited this exotic country in both 1970 and 1974.  As a kid, I just adored seeing animals in the safari parks and as wooden tourist trinkets sold by the side of the road.  They seemed a perfect pairing with the plastic animals I got at Bill Mishoe's auction over a month ago.  It was fun stitching down this menagerie. 

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala LXXVI.)

I stitched the center of this piece before determining any of the corners or edges.  While stitching, I remembered having a string of green African sea glass beads.  I have been saving them "for something special".  I've been saving them for so long that I almost forgot where they were, but I found them, counted them, and figured out a way for all but two to become the edge of this mandala.

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala LXXVI.)

I'm already at work on the next mandala and have several others mentally in the works.  I really ought to plan using more of my casino chips.  I have dozens and dozens of them.  Yet, inspiration comes in different forms.  Sometimes, the quantity inspires; sometimes having just a few things inspires.