Aldiss Site

I have taken some Pix in the last weeks – please tell me what you think:

Photo bracelets are fun to make and very unique. There are many different ways to make them, all of which start with tiny holders for the photo. You can find many different bitty frames at a craft store. Some are made as charms that you normally hang on a charm bracelet, others are just tiny frames that crafters can use to attach to magnets, scrapbooks and other projects.

The size and style of the bracelet you make will decide the size of frame you need. One easy bracelet is done by using stretch cord and beads. Measure a piece of cord, the approximate size of your wrist, as well as a couple of extra inches for tying. Thread the charm-type picture frame onto the cord, then begin stringing the beads on one side. Match the pattern and the amount of beads and string them onto the opposite side. Tie. Squirt glue into the hole of one bead, on the under-wrist side of the bracelet, and position the knot inside the bead. This will conceal the knot and make the bracelet look more professional.

Measure three pieces of cord, each the size of your wrist measurement, plus a couple of inches for tying. String any pattern of beads onto the cord, choosing beads that aren't too bulky or strangely shaped. After you've strung the beads stretch them over something that is the approximate size of your wrist, like a coffee cup, glue bottle, or another object. Align the beads to where the three strands are butted together and the tied part of the strings are positioned together.

Choose a picture frame that is the approximate length of the three strands together. Place glue on the back perimeter of the picture frame, after inserting the picture, then glue it over the place where the ends are tied together. This makes a cute bracelet that any mom or grandmother would love. And, you can use four or five strands, too. Choose the size you want the bracelet to be then select a frame, with no loop for hanging, to attach to the bracelet. The same designs can be done to make a choker-type necklace to match.

A different design is done with a piece of fabric or vinyl. Choosing vinyl will allow you to omit the sewing. If you'll be making a fabric bracelet, cut a strip that's a couple of inches longer than the circumference of your wrist. Stitch edges and ends. Apply snaps or velcro. Attach the photo frame to the top wrist portion of the band. If you're using colored vinyl, just install the preferred closure and glue on the picture frame. It's very easy to make a matching choker – just cut the fabric or vinyl longer.

One other idea is to braid leather strips together to make the bracelet or necklace. You can purchase hardware to make a metallic closure or make the pieces where they tie together. Use fabric glue to attach the mini frame to the braid. Charm bracelets are everywhere but homemade picture bracelets and necklaces are rare. You'll be the talk of the town when everyone sees yours, and your loved ones will be thrilled to see how much they mean to you.

I didn't read through the comments before posting mine last night, but now that I have, I'm bothered.

First off, it is offensive. Although its not a straight-up caricature as done in early black and white film (see Mickey Rooney is Breakfast at Tiffany's or this commercial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCKxWQCs3f0) the fact of the matter is, the image is full of cliche's that non-Asians tie to Asian culture – the severe bob with bangs, the thick elongating eye makeup, and the dress with the Mandarin collar. Just b/c these images are in black and white and you can't see the color yellow, does not take away from the fact that our Sir Karl and his images of "male fantasy" are putting Claudia Schiffer in the guise of what is an "exotic woman." These are still characteristics that most people view as "exotic" and "other." Just as we know she in blackface by the afro wig and painted skin, we know that she is the exotic Asian/other with the traits he chooses to style her in here. It is another form of racism – just evolved, ugly and blanketed under the very thin guise of fashion.

Appropriating or drawing inspiration other cultures to enhance the art form is something that fashion does all the time – whether it be done well (see the Rodarte Fall 2010 collection) or done to incite discussion and attention. What happens the most is the latter, and for the most part, I (and most PoC and some of the readers here) brush it off as what it is, a stupid attention-getting tactic done artlessly. No one wants to waste their time getting riled up about people crying out to be talked about. And really, the racism gets boring after a while, because it does happen so often. You build a thick skin and move on.

When I come to a blog such as TLo's (who are neither Asian or biologically woman) where they so aptly can call out the fact the wackness of images like this (and in other posts) – its a relief. In the rabble of media that excuses this as art, they're one of the few voices that can cut through the quick to say, "bitch, please!"

People are allowed to agree or disagree, but when I read comments dismissing how something like this is not at the heart a racist gesture ekes of so much wrong to me. I am a woman of color, an Asian-American one at that – and yes, these images are boring b/c of how often these tactics are used. But lets not forget that they're also racist, and just because we'e bored, doesn't take away from the fact that they're racist and offensive.

-Le Sigh

from: Elvas Weblog