Chapz@earthlink.net
Sand Dollars are a natural product. Although we have sealed five “doves” and sand from Ocean Beach in your dollar, sand may sift through them.
Please handle with care as breakage could invite the beach into your home!
ABOUT THE SAND DOLLAR
The Pacific sand dollar lives in sea beds below low tide. Live sand dollars are fuzzy and covered in dark purplish spines. They generally live six to ten years at which point their bare white exoskeleton may wash up on the beach.
NATURAL DOLLARS
Sand dollars seem to come in all shapes, colors and sizes, their unique look is part of their natural beauty. We have sealed these dollars to prevent sand from sifting through and to strengthen these delicate shells.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS DOLARES DE ARENA
The Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico annually on November 1st and 2nd in conjunction with All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Rather than a time of sadness, this is an opportunity to celebrate the lives of our departed loved ones and a chance to be thankful for life. Family members often visit cemeteries to pay respect to their ancestors and build altars to honor them. At times ancestors will wear shells on their clothing to wake up the dead with the noise of their dancing. La Calavera, or the skull, is a common symbol of the celebration. The beauty of the bone-like surface of found expired sand dollars inspired San Francisco craftswoman Rebecca Chapa to embrace her heritage by honoring the gift of life with a gift from the sea.
LA VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Nuestro Senora de Guadalupe, is a well known Mexican icon said to represent a 16th century apparition of the Virgin Mary. Much debate exists surrounding the typical image of her depicted on everything from car decals to bracelets, but some say that the rays of light emanating from her form are related to the maguey or agave plant responsible for the production of the Mexican spirits, Mezcal or Tequila. This Roman Catholic symbol imbues the attributes of peace, love and faith to those who gaze upon her.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Rebecca Chapa is the daughter of a Mexican migrant farm worker. Her father Roman Chapa picked crops in Texas and California and was the only one of his brothers and sisters to graduate from high school. Although raised in the suburbs of Westchester County, Rebecca embraces the culture of her ancestors and strives to honor them with her craft.
CHAKRA DOLLARS
Although beautiful naturally, sometimes dying sand dollars can enhance their natural beauty. Their colors may inspire you to purchase one that you feel speaks to you. The seven chakras, Sanskrit for wheels, are energy centers found in the body, and according to Hindu teachings these relate to seven colors, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Purple. Consider the energy that this life form had and allow it to bring balance to your life.
1st Root Red
Between anus and genitals
Cedar, Myrrh, Patchouli
Osteoarthritis
2nd Sacral Orange
Lower abdomen, between naval and genitals
Jasmine, Rose, Sandalwood
Impotence, Bladder, prostrate, lower back pain
3rd Solar Plexus Yellow
Between navel and base of sternum
Vetiver, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot
Ulcers, digestion, chronic fatigue, allergy, diabetes
4th Heart Green
Center of chest
Rose, Bergamot, Melissa
breathing, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer
5th Throat Blue
Central, at the base of neck
Chamomile, Myrrh
sore throat, neckache, thyroid, asthma
6th Third Eye Indigo
Above and between eyebrows
Hyacinth, Violet, Rose Geranium
headache, poor vision, glaucoma
7th Crown Violet/White
Top of Head
Lavender, Frankincense, Rosewood
pollutants, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, exhaustion
