This necklace was inspired by the famous dancer Mata Hari. I have long admired women who had the courage to live their lives without apology and be true to themselves, no matter what hardship was thrown her way. Her story is a tragic one. Escaping an unhappy marriage to a much older man, she managed to reinvent herself as a dancer, and made quite a name for herself in Paris. In 1917 she was executed by firing squad on charges of spying for the Germans during World War I. It has been said that she refused to be blindfolded as she bravely faced her death. I'm sure that some people will always believe she was a spy, but many historians now believe that there was simply not enough evidence. We have a long history in many cultures of holding women who made their living independent of men (like dancers) in great suspicion,. This, I believe, was her real crime. At a time when women's options were so very limited, it took great courage to try to live her life as she wanted, not in the way that was expected of her.
We all still face a metaphorical firing squad when trying to pursue our dreams. That line of critics ready to fire away at our heart with doubt, discomfort, self- criticism, and frustration. Do we put on a blindfold and cower in fear, or step bravely forward and face the onslaught? Art takes courage and the ability to venture out of your comfort zone to take a few risks. As for me, I am trying to keep my blindfold off.
