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QUEER AS FOLK Bracelet and Gay Pride Shell Bracelet.
A handsome cowry shell bracelet that is made popular by the SHOWTIME TV SERIES, QUEER AS FOLK. This bracelet is similar to the one GALE HARROLD'S character, BRIAN KINNEY.
A beautiful gay pride cowry shell bracelet made with rainbow colored shells.
Discreet packaging.
Note for International customers:
No non-USA Bank money orders or personal checks from international customers as USA Banks will charge an administrative fee of US$20 or more for transferring funds from non-USA Banks. PAYPAL ONLY for international customers.
Product Details:
Each bracelet is handcrafted individually by the artist designer (i.e myself) for you with emphasis to quality and durability. The intricate detailing of seed beads into the braiding of the bracelet is a trademark and unique design with my bracelets, giving the bracelet some weight as well as an artistic touch. For other jewelry designs with stones, gems and other beads, Visit My eBay Store
Length: For these purposes, the bracelet is measure from knot to knot (see picture). They come in these sizes: 6", 7" and 8". Ladies will by default receive a bracelet that measures from 6"-7". Men will by default receive a bracelet that measures from 7"-8". If you wish to specify a wrist size, the customer must contact me directly after the auction ends. (i.e. Please make request in the note section of paypal, upon checking out). I have allowed for extra cord at the end of the bracelet to accommodate how you wish to customize wearing your bracelet, tight or loose
Material: The cord is made of woven waxed cotton which is stronger and lasts longer than leather. This has been the seller's experience with selling this product. The cowry shells are naturally occurring shells that have been sliced.
Putting the bracelet on: The bracelet comes with a loose shell and extra cord at the end (see picture). The shell is used as a "hook" or "clasp" to secure the bracelet to the wrist, giving a finishing artistic touch to the bracelet. Once you have found the place to secure the loose shell to other end, simply tie a double knot to secure the loose shell. The extra cord that is left after can either be cut off or left for a frayed look. I recommend using the extra cord and loop it around the end of the bracelet for a more secure fit.
Custom made: A bracelet can be custom made for each person. Especially so if you have a wrist that is smaller than 6" or bigger than 8". In this situation, it is recommended that make this request known during the check out process. Upon winning the auction, the customer must contact me immediately and specify the length of the bracelet he/she wishes to have.
The Historical and Cultural Implications of the Cowry Shell:
Cowry shells (also spelled cowrie), are marine snails of the genus Cypraea (family Cypraeidae), found chiefly in tropical regions.
There are few natural objects which have held the imagination, mind and spirit of man as completely as the Cowry. The cowry shell is historically a symbol of wealth, and has had been used as currency, jewelry, and as a religious accessory, in almost every part of the world. In the realm of sympathetic magic and sorcery, the Cowry is a powerful force. The shells represent the eyes of the Gods and the womb of the Goddess.
Originally found in the islands of the Indian Ocean, the cowry shell gained popularity throughout much of ancient Africa. Its influence spread to China, where brass and silver cowry shells were used as a form of currency. The Chinese even used its shape to form their pictograph for money.
According to African legend, if you are attracted to cowry shells you could be related to the Yoruba ocean spirit associated with wealth and mother earth. The Cowry has always been a symbol of the Goddess and connected with the strength of the ocean. It was believed to have the power of conferring fertility and sexual potency. The vessel of life force and regeneration, the Cowry was the insurance of life's continuity. It was the dwelling place for the Goddess who made fertile both woman and crops, and whose voice can be heard whispering her ancient wisdom.
The Cowry was originally called the "concha veneer" - the shell of venus - by the ancients. The scientific name "Cypraea" came from Cyprus or Cyprian, the isle where the worship of Venus Aphrodite began. The women of Pompeii wore the Cowry to prevent sterility. The Aztecs associate the Cowry with pregnancy as do Japanese.
The Cowry is often used to represent the mouth of the Egyptian god Orisis. In Egyptian Mythology, the god Orisis "creates all living creatures by an infinite act of masturbation." This was also seen as the source of the Nile River, and the cause of its annual flooding, which was the backbone of life in Egypt. The ritual developed of pharaohs masturbating before the god's image at the time of their enthronement. This led to public masturbation during religious worship, "to expel evil and honor the gods of generation," and became a part of an ancient Egyptian, Phoenician, Babylonian, and Assyrian sacred ceremonies.
Source: http://www.angelfire.com/home/qaf/cowry.html
My Tribute to The TV series that made this all possible:
Queer as Folk Showtime / Showcase TV Series:
Queer as Folk is an American and Canadian television series co-production, produced by Showtime and Temple Street Productions which was based on the British series of the same name created by Russell T. Davies. This North American version of Queer as Folk used various Canadian directors known for their independent film work (including Bruce McDonald, David Wellington, Kelly Makin, John Greyson, Jeremy Podeswa and Michael DeCarlo) as well as famed Australian director Russell Mulcahy (Highlander) who directed the pilot episode.
The American series was groundbreaking on many social levels in its attempt to portray the gay lifestyle. The series basically follows the lives of 5 gay men living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Brian, Justin, Michael, Emmett, Ted; a lesbian couple, Lindsay and Melanie; and Michael's mother Debbie. Another main character, Ben, was added in the second season. The series was filmed in Canada, with frequent location filming in Toronto's Church and Wellesley gay village.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer_as_Folk_%28US_TV_series%29
The Hunt for the "Brian Kinney Bracelet":
The Character: Brian Kinney (played by Gale Harrold)
Brian is an evolved, attractive and promiscuous advertising executive, in his early thirties, raised by an abusive father and an emotionally remote mother. He lives a self-contained life, preferring the honesty of lust to the dishonesty (and vulnerability) he perceives in love. He appears confident on the outside, but is afraid of aging. He is a very elegant, dark, sombre character. His clothes tend to expose that melancholy. Source:http://www.angelfire.com/home/qaf/wardrobe/clothing.html
There was no doubt in my mind that Brian Kinney made wearing the cowry shell bracelet fashionable.
"If you notice, Brian wears that little conch Shell bracelet thing. I never thought anything of it for the whole year... the first day we started shooting again, all the extras showed up, and there was like seven guys that had them, so obviously you can buy them anywhere, and it must be directed from the show. I didn't do that on purpose."
~ Patrick Antosh, Costume Designer for Queer As Folk, speaking with Michel Chantelois of SoGayTV
I recall wanting the bracelet so badly that I went to every retail shop online to find the product. Suffice to say that after 4-5 different purchases, I was not satisfied with any of the bracelets that I bought. The reasons were simple: they were either cheap-looking, too flimsy or light to wear or did not have the comfortable weighty feel of a nice piece of jewelry. An inspired idea came to mind : "Why don't I make one for myself?"
The History Behind Making the Bracelet:
In the initial developing stages I must have experimented with 20 different types of materials and ways to make the bracelet over the period of a month. To date I have come up with what I believe to be the right blend of symmetry, material and beauty in a bracelet. The use of small black seed beads was perhaps the most inspired idea in the process. This intricate detailing of seed beads into the braiding not only gives the bracelet an artistic flair but also the feel of a really nice piece of jewelry that is unique and classic-looking. I recall when I first started wearing the bracelet that many of my friends, both straight, gay and otherwise, asking me where I had purchased it. They all wanted one. A good friend of mine who was so enamored with his bracelet suggested that I could sell this online and perhaps develop my own line of unique jewelry.
What started out as a hobby and way to share my gift and tribute to the Queer as Folk series turned into a full fledged Ebay business, something quite unexpected.
The Creation / Weaving / Braiding / Treatment process:
I start off first with cutting the cord, making the knot and then carefully choosing the shells with respect to size, shape and proportion. Depending on the length of the bracelet, each bracelet has between 8-10 shells. The braiding process with the beads begin and ends with the tying of a the knot to finish off the bracelet. I attach a loose shell to the ends of the bracelet, the tying of which allows for individual customization of the length of the bracelet. I then proceed to apply a treatment to the bracelet which gives it a little shine (not too much) and the bracelet a finished artistic look.
Payment must be made within 3 days at the close of the auction.
Paypal preferred. Pay securely via paypal with any major credit card or echeck. Credit Card ship date is 1 business day.
NOTE : NO MONEY ORDERS or PERSONAL CHECKS from international customers. ONLY Paypal.
Money orders and personal checks are also accepted for customers resident within the USA. (Queerweaver prefers postal money orders to all other money orders. Item's ship date will be greatly reduced). Item not shipped until money order or check is cleared. Please allow 5 to 10 business days.
Discreet Packaging.
For detailed shipping and handling fees, please scroll down to the bottom of the description page.
Shipment of product within 1-2 days upon clearance of payment.
All products shipped within the USA will have a delivery confirmation number provided.
All products shipped outside the USA will have a customs declaration label.
No local pick-ups.
Only Serious Buyers. Please carefully read all terms before placing a bid or making a purchase.
All sales are final. Only replacements or exchanges are offered if the product is damaged or lost in shipping. If the product is damaged, the customer must contact me via email and ship the product back for proof of damage. Damaged products must be shipped back within 7 days of receipt.
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The products featured are all beautifully and individually handcrafted with emphasis to Quality and Durability. The intricate detailing of beads into the braiding of our products is a unique trademark of our company.
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website: queerweaver.com email: createdes@hotmail.com
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