![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDLuRJ6UAPF_B712xrR0xeSu41atAROrkfJpsFsoK935Dguu62qDJ8_GhBy7q8_RZ_2JCmIeGeMs3Gkbs3o4tk1AKmElWSg3DgWiiQvbs03kO2Pv0vvV9EvSoQurAbm2kGPeajmF5bhYj/w276-h400/bamboonecklace1.jpg) |
Bamboo root, Reed Manna root, bone |
This Passive Jewelry series is the second stage in a series of experiments involving native grass roots (see
The Roots Project). I have used the term "passive" to distinguish this series from a collaborative series currently in progress. In this passive series the roots are simply serving as materials; they play no active role in working collaboratively to create the jewelry.
This first piece was one of those happy accidents, introducing Lucky Bamboo (dracaena) root to the mix. I realized one of my Lucky Bamboo stalks had become root-bound in its container of water. I experimented, cut the lower portion of the stalk with the roots off entirely, and put the old stalk back in a fresh container of water (where it is surviving happily and madly sending off fresh roots). So - it turns out you can sustainably harvest Lucky Bamboo roots!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sO_soXRQfZGfISoYDMH5EW-6P7M1yI-HfypGELlP9wGj4ilA6_H2LwDDjvOsWgwdbJH0jk3uC6FZFRNA4OhWijZjPoL4tEoBw4XTpYAlpYLXiF2xqPbVpLXg56BZWmG9y_xRnpSiRuTJ/s320/rootharest1.jpg) |
Lucky Bamboo (left), and Reed Manna |
The first step involved carefully teasing apart the Reed Manna clump into separate strands.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOh-27T87ihH7axyApbJPjxCB0H9612-T2E-jSMwLcdj_8x90BeLpH1TpfCkFEQ997PKAUzuZYx0_pjTjBjd6sXetY0N42RWImiNTi6nZe8iR8jiY1NqGP_YD-PzwWD3dj2TV5aQa1JCi/s320/rootharvest2.jpg) |
Reed Manna root |
The Lucky Bamboo root had grown into a swirling circle in the confines of its water container, and this shape triggered the inspiration for the rest of the piece.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHpRyiqIjm_7bXoQs5WY4zNh1f-orBuzoDEVx7QsciarxAKd3wPn2k1-yZ7fTgydTfle17MyjAqM1FoN9iGThlE7Ezv-LYN325f-rWFQoGcUmbdElpPJTpN0smOKyH71O-50Wk1EZcVng/s320/rootharvest3.jpg) |
Lucky Bamboo root |
Below, you can see the longest, strongest Reed Manna roots teased out into workable strands. The ball, which was formed from shorter, weaker roots, was set aside for a later piece of jewelry.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWuk7NhkyCds3EnZJO5QJfg9rnlBcbYcNF2xJxj3XkxcZwfKLhe9RgLIF2zkcphXyn8YuY-dOIx0YAwNuz9u4dhrp2MjVJ1AS-ORlNyTugV4KJRPAHNz3tVS5j9Nke7Md6z_VXCQPmMyN/s320/rootharvest4.jpg) |
Necklace materials |
It was possible to thread long strands of Reed Manna root onto an embroidery needle and stitch/loop it through the bamboo from either side, and then string on little tiny beads made out of bone, picked up long ago, somewhere or other.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzu5ejHYpihbDUGSsQOqxC8UWI4HYFKIlBc7ET_74zkOL6V3FlO7YCYUBVPnXl6WjxL7FNutlAT7OySmPndMFK7pdNzRlWhlxU0hRl4UDnoDjTG1i1nvjrxrC3lPekeN9aRzFx53csQI7/s320/bamboonecklace2.jpg) |
Close-up: Roots and bone |
And that brings us to the end of our narrative on this first root jewelry piece. Stay tuned.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2awk1O_zTRJR8iSnncYI_35GSlpPJIDzHRTupX72SMZ1fwtBAY2Q9YzjHg4Kn6gM1NKoGgsopN_Ho2xmyHKbKIOwhYRTjhvpImZbEqKxkl3zwBDMH1933lcjvaeStg3tJsOdBmv9i2jme/s320/bamboonecklace3.jpg) |
The first root necklace |