Renee Wilkie
Cedar Falls, IA

Traditionally Mandalas have been used by Spiritual leaders, Shamans and Healers as a source of wisdom, a form of meditation, and to reflect universal consciousness. I have created this sacred circle with the intention of healing. It is my "Prayer for Peace" in the Middle East, in our families, in our world. When I saw the camel in the "surprise package " we were to use for this round I knew exactly what would be born of these things. I used the jewel in the flame of a candle to represent the light within to encourage each of us to discover our light, share our light and to look for the light in others. The heart around it represents love, family and the oneness of all creation. The two filigree wings evolved into a Guardian Angel and the Angel of Hope to protect and inspire. The dove of peace above it all and the camel in the heart of it all is to represent the Middle East with trust that Peace will manifest soon. Prayer beads from Africa (brought from a friend's mission there) were added to form the copper wire spirals. The Mandela is loosely framed with olive branches, which was the most difficult part of construction as it is winter here in the Midwest. I e-mailed friends asking for help and a few days later a box of branches arrived in a package from Arizona. I chose iridescent glass for the most to give an illuminating quality. This Mandela is constructed in the copper foil method framed in lead demonstrating what impact each of us can have with heartfelt intention and basic skills of the craft.