Yup

Mami... Easter Weekend 2014

My beautiful red-boned mother!

#BLACKHISTORYMONTH #DAY5 NO BLOOD DIAMONDS

#earringswithmeanings #earringswithsubstance  #earringsareeducationaltools Today is #Day5 of #BlackHistoryMonth and I am wearing a pair of #fakediamond earrings. About 10 years ago there was a huge controversial issue about #AfricanDiamonds and how they were called #blooddiamonds or #conflictdiamonds. The question was... "Did someone DIE for the diamonds you are rocking?"Some diamonds have helped fund devastating civil wars in Africa, destroying the lives of millions. Conflict diamonds are those sold in order to fund armed conflict and civil war. Profits from the trade in conflict diamonds, worth billions of dollars, were used by warlords and rebels to buy arms during the devastating wars in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sierra Leone. Wars that have cost an estimated 3.7 million lives.I absolutely love jewelry and I can make a difference by watching what I buy. I will not own a pair of DIAMOND earrings until I can purchase them and know that they are conflict-free. Every single conscious move we make does help make the world a better place.I love my #fakediamonds. #iamblackhistory#AfroBoricua #AfroTaina #Africaenmicorazon #ilovemyBlackancestors #imblackandimproud

#BLACKHISTORYMONTH #DAY4 AKUA'BA

#earringswithmeanings

Today is #Day4 of #BlackHistoryMonth and I am keeping it simple yet intentional with my Ivory "Akua'ba" Asante African Fertility earrings. The Asante tribe lives in Central and South Ghana in Africa. Together with other tribes from this area , they form the Akan Peoples. The Akan people attribute supernatural powers to this sacred figurine. It stimulates female fertility and helps conquer infertility. I am wearing these because I have several dreams that I am placing on fertile ground. I am claiming that I am not an infertile dreamer. My dreams will manifest, and I will have an abundance of dream crops to pick up during harvest time. I AM FERTILE.

This pair was bought in Denver, Colorado last year (2013) at Akente Express.

#workinprogress #iamblackhistory #AfroTaina #AfroBoricua #Africaenmicorazon #Akuaba 

#Akan #Asante #Ghana #Ivory #imblackandimproud #honoringmyancestors

#BLACKHISTORY MONTH #DAY 3 ADINKRA:GYE NAME

Great Day mi gente! Today is #Day3 of#BlackHistoryMonth. My #earringswithmeaningspair were bought in Wilmington, Delaware at a commemoration of Bob Marley concert that I performed at. It was a super special event because we opened up for KRS1. This concert is held there every year because it is the first place where Bob lived in the U.S., his first American home. The Peoples' Festival is off the chain. Highly recommended. I got these in one of the little booths at the festival. There are soooo many dope vendors. This opportunity came through because of my friends at Guerrilla Republic. Awesome. 

The meaning of these earrings for me is powerful. I wear them when I want to go back to the MotherLand Africa. When I want to disconnect from this defeating and depressing city life. 

These earrings have super powers. Lol. No fa real tho!

Read on:

"Adinkra symbolism is a visual representation of social thought relating to the history, philosophy and religious beliefs of the Akan peoples of Ghana and Cote' d'Ivoire" defined Dr. Kwaku Ofori-Ansa.

This Adinkra is called GYE NAME 

"except for God" symbol of the supremacy of God or I fear none but GOD. 

This unique and beautiful symbol is ubiquitous in Ghana. It is by far the most popular for use in decoration, a reflection on the deeply religious character of the Ghanaian people.

Today will be a great day. Superman wears a cape and I wear my Adinkras.

#afrotaina #afroboricua #iamblackhistory#imblackandimproud #ilovemyBlackancestors#adinkrasymbol #akanpeopleofGhana 

#blackpower

#BLACKHISTORYMONTH #DAY2 SEA TURTLE

#earringswithmeanings 

Today is Sunday #Day2 of #BlackHistoryMonth.  I woke up wanting to wear more cowry shells, but decided to wear this artistic pair instead. I bought these with a few other about a year ago at my favorite costume jewelry store. They stood out because of the colors and art on them. There is a sun, a sea turtle, African patterns and an African man drumming. I had to get them. Finding black art on costume jewelry only happens once in a blue moon. 

On this beautiful Sunday at church I was reminded that only God can satisfy my soul, everything else is secondary. I look at this pair and know exactly why I had to wear these today... there is a bright sun, beaming rays of God's goodness, the sea turtle is an ancient symbol that represents creation, endurance, determination, strength, stability, longevity, fertility, and innocence, which are all the things I hope to experience one way or another. Side note: The turtle also provides protection, good fortune, and brings happiness and good omens.

#BLACKHISTORYMONTH #DAY1 COWRY SHELLS

It's #Day1 of #BlackHistoryMonth. Since 1962, Black History Month has remained an important moment for America to celebrate the achievements and contributions black Americans have played in U.S. history.
Arising out of "Negro History Week" of the 1960s, February has since been designated as Black History Month by every U.S. president since 1976.
Today my #earringswithmeanings are a pair of#CowryShells. Cowry shells were used a currency in ancient Africa and are also worn as jewelry or otherwise used as ornaments or charms. They are viewed as symbols of womanhood, fertility, birth and wealth.The symbolism of the cowry shell is associated with the appearance of its underside: the lengthwise opening makes the shell look like a vulva or an eye.
Here is a quote by one of my favorite Black Americans. "For I am my mother's daughter, and the drums of Africa still beat in my heart." - Mary McLeod Bethune
#imblackandimproud
#afrotaina #handmadeearrings
#blackboricua #educateyourself#knowledgeispower #Africaenmicorazon

Black History Month

   Celebrating Black History Month my way... through earrings! 

#cowryshells #AFRICA 

DreamCatcher with Wings for Vanessa (Test 2)

Today's earrings bring me peace. Dream Catcher with an angels wing in the middle. Today is Vanessa's memorial service and we all need a lot of strength and peace. #redlipsforVanessa#besos4besos #earringswithmeanings
Isaiah 40:31 
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Trying this out.... Day 1

My earrings say a lot about me. These pair were made by Puerto Rican elder artisan Maria Cajigas of Taino Concepts. 

The Taino Indians are the indigenous people of Puerto Rico. The Coqui is a small chiefly arboreal frog native to Puerto Rico that has a high-pitched call. 

If you read about Frog Medicine, it's symbolism is:

×cleansing

×renewal, rebirth

×fertility, abundance×transformation, metamorphosis

×life mysteries and ancient wisdom

I rock these earrings today as a symbolism of my clearing negativity and "toxic" energies and the freedom to release my emotions.

Detoxification and taking care of my health more and more are key. Life is too short and I am renewing my perspective/vision. Adopting a new stance is the way to go.♡

Inbox Maria if you are interested in purchasing a pair! 

https://www.facebook.com/maria.cajigas.37 

Not even all of them.... a peek

These babies are from all over the world. Some are gifts, some are bought, some are handmade by me. <3 #globalearrings 

Earrings, Pantallas, Aretes...

I have been collecting earrings for the last 8 years of my life. Yes I am completely in love with earrings, but I love earrings that have meaning a whole lot more. They each have a story to tell and so I will share what I know with you with the intention of making these earring learning tools. Peace and  Love, Lah Tere