IN LOVE WITH WORDS

Oramaika Sanchez 

"In love."  "Daring." "How many things do we forgive, for fear of loss?" "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

Oramaika Sanchez collects words, aphorisms, and poetry snippets which she then uses to decorate her simple pieces of jewelry. "I look for words, or they find me," says this amiable 29-year-old.

Her earrings, crafted out of scrap aluminum in the shape of long ovals, might feature a flirty word like "coqueta (coquette)" or a word heavy with connotation like "sabrosa (tasty)" or "picante (hot)," the kind of words that seem perfectly suited for such attention grabbing adornments as earrings.

Pendants offer more space for writing, perfect for aphorisms and fragments of poetry. "My contribution is to foster the written word," says Sanchez, who is especially appreciative of the way a few words can convey a larger meaning. Her work, she says, allows her to contribute a positive message and also to share her love of poetry, especially the verses of Julia de Burgos.

Sanchez' interest in jewelry surfaced while studying sculpture and ceramics at Interamerican University. Her boyfriend gave her some scrap aluminum and she was immediately taken by its special qualities, particularly it's malleability and the way  "you can play with it." To inscribe words on metal she uses inked metal stamps, a process akin to letterpress printing which she now has down to a t. What Sanchez' jewelry lacks in polish it makes up in its appealing rawness. It seems to say: share your favorite aphorisms and the words you like and you will feel good about it. You can find her pieces at Tereques La Tiendita, a retail store on Ponce de Leon, across from Central High School near Stop 22 and at Pure Soul on San Justo, in old San Juan.  Also temporarily available at Mercado SF207. Prices range from $15 to $50.

Tereques, La Tiendita  #1416 Ponce de Leon Ave., Santurce
Pure Soul     #258 San Justo, corner of Tetuán, old San Juan
Mercado SF207  #207 San Francisco, old San Juan  (until January 20)

Photography by Denise Blasor

I make it a rule not to look into the future,
I never think of growing old or dying.
What will be will be.

Anton Chekov, The Seagull

☺ EYE ON PRODUCTS ☺

If you are looking for a tasty brownie mix that is not loaded with additives, 
try the gluten free, Hodgson Mill Brownie Mix available at Supermax 
De Diego supermarket in San Juan. Its 10 ingredients are pretty much 
familiar: Sugar, cocoa, brown rice flour, sorghum flour, tapioca starch,
cornstarch, baking powder, xanthan gum, flake salt, and baking soda. 
Xanthan gum might sound artificial but it is actually a natural 
biopolymer (a macromolecule) produced by a special fermentation
process; it keeps ingredients suspended uniformly and acts as a
thickener. Sorghum flour is made from special grasses. The product 
has 13 grams of sugar and 106 mg of sodium, which isn't too bad for
those watching their sugar and salt intakes.

Photography by Denise Blasor

"I am Rose my eyes are blue
I am Rose and who are you
I am Rose and when I sing
I am rose like anything.

Gertrude Stein

Copyright ©2013  Lorraine Blasor, All Rights Reserved♥