Bharani
(pronounced: ‘Bar-a-nee’)
Since I was a little girl, the idea of God and religion has been
very important to me. Coming from a diverse ethnic and religious
background of Spanish and Mexican Catholics, and Russian and Polish
Jews, I was able to experience the similarities and differences
between these two great religions and four wonderful cultures. To
appease both families, I was baptized Catholic and given a Hebrew
name – what a tremendous gift this ultimately was for me.
As a child I didn’t feel tied to any one religion - only to
God. When I was 9, I started exploring different religions, attending
various churches and eventually became interested in Judaism, Hinduism,
Buddhism and finally Vedanta.
One Monday morning in June of 1999, while I was driving to a job
I didn’t especially like – and after an exceptionally
spiritually filled weekend – I had the realization that in
order to find real happiness in my work I would have to do something
that was spiritual in nature. I had made jewelry 20 years earlier;
maybe it was time to start again. By the time I got to work, the
decision had been made: I would start making spiritual jewelry.
I was very excited about the idea that in the same way that we choose
our spiritual path, we should have the opportunity to choose at
least one unique piece of jewelry made especially for us that expresses
something devotional, something deeply felt that we hold close to
our heart, whatever our beliefs. I began by making Om signs, then
crosses, the symbol for Yin-Yang and the Star of David. I am currently
working on the Egyptian Ankh, Eye of Horus and the Arabic symbol
for Allah. I am always researching symbols for spiritual paths not
yet represented here. As my designs evolve into finished pieces
of jewelry they will be added to the website.
I
believe that finding our spiritual path and developing a connection
to the Divine - however we understand the Divine to be – is
the single most important journey in our lifetime.
I also believe that the jewelry we wear representing our individual
spiritual beliefs should be as unique as we are. I make each piece
by hand, and with the exception of the two medium sized Om signs
(which are cast), no two pieces are exactly alike. Look the pieces
over. After you find the piece of jewelry that feels right for you,
you may also choose to have one of the following virtues, “Love”
- “Hope” - “Peace” or “Faith”
inscribed on the reverse side (if size permits).
