I’ve been obsessed with a particular strand of beads via Frida Kahlo’s personal collection since I saw it in its glass vitrine amongst many other pieces of her personal wardrobe. During their marriage, Diego & Frida collected many artifacts of pre-Columbian scuplture, which would have possibly enabled her to get these beads directly from an archeological excavation - as they are believed to be Mayan Jade, ritually buried with the dead.

Beads & beaded necklaces have a long, long history & were handmade & valued in nearly every ancient society up to the present day - aside from their aesthetic and grave good usage, they were also a form of currency in some cultures. Frida hand strung her beads to wear, despite their heft against her small body; in this way she tethered herself to the past just as I press myself to the/her past. The strand that inspired this one has a swirl of green paint she’s believed to have purposely left - a stroke caught in time - before it had been fully mixed to a coherent green. I imagine it came from several shades on her palette, collected on a brush and then carefully smoothed over an ancient bead I viewed as part of a necklace a wounded artist wore during her life, excavated from her own ‘grave goods’ sealed for years & years and now released again, evidence of a person behind the legend, the towering ghost, the broken columned muse. 

This strand is composed of varying sizes of hollow  Sterling Silver 'Pearls.' 

Each sterling silver pearl { bead } is oxidized to our favorite shade of gloomy grey, and hand finished to reveal the highlights of the silver beneath. 

Worn closer to the heart than other strands in the series, this strand measures 19 inches from end to end. At its closure our largest double sided sterling silver eye talisman adds and extra layer of psychic protection. Designed as a special, bold statement piece, it also layers beautifully with other BloodMilk necklaces.

***IMPORTANT***:

This strand is handmade to order, just for you, with care and focus. Please allow approximately 5 weeks for its creation before shipping.

Please visit the Policy Page to make an educated and informed purchase HERE.

Please email any questions to bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com for a timely and kind response.