About the Pieces:
I have always been drawn to those objects of the Christian faith which were simple and primitive in design, but so lovingly created to praise, honor and thank our God. Those things which are imperfect and flawed, yet made to give glory to God... just like us.
The medals, centers and crosses on the rosaries you see here were created out of a deep love of these things. Inspiration has come from the rustic Milagros of Mexico all the way to the ancient crosses of Europe, worn nearly smooth by time and devotion.
The symbols used by early Christians have also been an ongoing interest of mine. These ancient, simple signs and images made their way into much of the early Church's art and writings and were common knowledge among the faithful of the time, though they are somewhat less know today.
The colors for all of the pieces I create come from nature. I generally begin with a palette of colors, rather than a single hue. The beads are chosen for their color and texture and are generally a mix of stone, glass, handmade, vintage, clay, wood and bone.
About the Name:
The willow has long been a symbol of resiliency and tenacity. It bends and sways in the fiercest of storms, and no matter how many branches are cut off, the willow continues to thrive. It is for this reason that it has become a Christian symbol of the Gospel, which has remained whole, though many have tried to tear it apart. I also have a special fondness for Isaiah 44:3-4, "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring. They shall spring up like grass amid waters, like willows by flowing streams."
About Me:
My name is Alice and I have been an illustrator nearly all of my adult life. Though I began making rosaries in 1999 (with Job's Tears that I grew in my garden), most of my illustration work in the past 15 years or so has been focused on illustrating three little books and creating nature themed educational materials for my Etsy Shop. Several years ago I began to ponder the idea of creating my own rosary parts based on simple, little drawings, and the pieces you see here are the result of many months of experimenting and figuring out how to do this.