An eclectic blog about beads, beading and beyond



Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Taputi - the bead and where did November go?

It's hard to believe that November is over and December marching forward. November disappeared as I prepared for my studio's Open Days last weekend, prepared classes and competition entries for the the Bead Society of Victoria's (BSVs) Bead Expo (in Nov), prepared classes for Vitality Cafe and my studio, completed commissions, worked on the 2013 Festival of Glass and more. Its all been lovely amongst living my life but I do still wonder where November went.

One of my tangible outcomes was Taputi - the bead. She was my entry in the BSV's inaugural Single Bead competition themed 'Initiation'. I was thrilled she was acknowledged with a Highly Commended Award.

Here's her story:

Tapputi – the bead is named after and was inspired by Tapputi-Belatekallim a Mesopotamian woman who scholars believe initiated chemistry, particularly the chemistry of perfume making over 3,300 years ago. The shape of Tapputi – the bead evokes the bulbous, narrow necked perfume containers of her times and its colours are inspired by the earthy colours of myrrh and balsam two of the key ingredients in her first recorded perfume recipe. From Tapputi’s times onwards, perfumed oils and unguents have played a central role in initiation rituals and ceremonies in many cultures so its not surprising to find a contemporary perfume named ‘Initiation’. Perhaps it’s time for one to bear Tapputi’s name as a reminder of her legacy. In the meantime, Tapputi – the bead is my homage to all that she initiated. 

Now the Open Studio - that is another story - for another blog post. Hopefully, before December goes!


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