In the late 90's after having some health issues I returned to the depths of a substance use disorder. Destructive patterns and unhealthy coping methods from my youth returned and I crashed and burned big time!
On April 21, 2001 I woke up from a coma in the ICU connected to ventilation machine, through miracles and with the support of angels, my wife & family, and my creator I survived and came through it!
So why Bracelets and Cuffs? Well they became a big part of my recovery, it started while I was in Rehab. My beautiful spouse gave me two leather and pewter buckle bracelets as a gift. I had never worn bracelets before, but I put them on, loved them immediately, and they have had a special place in my heart ever since. The bracelets were a work of art. Identical but one was made of black leather and the other of brown leather.
Like Samson's hair, those two bracelets became my symbolic source of strength and for the next ten years I never took them off. On my 1 year anniversary of sobriety my sponsor gave me a black leather cuff to add to the two bracelets my wife had given me, and symbolically together they become my armor. Daily as I wore, saw, and felt those three Leather bands on my wrists they gave me strength to stay clean and sober. They also visually helped me remember who I was, who I loved, what I was committed to, and inspired and motivated me to continue my journey upward.
While working in the addiction recovery field the last 20 years, I started making bracelets and cuffs as a therapeutic part of my recovery, and in our programs as part of creative/art therapy I helped many of our clients make bracelets and cuffs to use in a similar manner. Other symbols worn on bracelets, rings, and as pendants, strengthened the effect and became sources of light and strength. It's been twenty years plus and I still draw power from the symbolic bracelets and jewelry I design, make, wear, and share;-) .
Artissun.com is a way to share in a bigger way.
Love & Light, from the Symbol Artisan, Kevin Brough