Spirit Books

Sacred Speaker
'The name Sacred Speaker refers to the fan shape and the original
use of folding fans in Japan--for communication with the gods.

Book of handmade Mexican bark paper, handmade paper from
Bhutan, Indian bagasse paper, twigs, glass beads, and thread on
a stand of covered dowels, binders board, and paper.' 1993

Terrestrial Talisman
'The beaded square on each page is based on the ho-t'u,
a Chinese talisman. The four-sided square represents
stability and order with its connection to the earth.

Book of Mexican amatyl paper, Japanese kyo paper,
bagasse paper, glass seed beads, and thread in a cradle
of grape vines on a base of binders board and paper.' 1995

Maternal Chain
'My father gave me the root which had been collected by my mother.
I named the book for the generational chain that connects us in spirit.

Book of handmade Mexican bark paper, banana fiber paper
from Costa Rica, glass seed beads, small twigs, and thread
in a cradle of a root on a base of binders board and paper.' 1999

Essential Inheritance
One of my parents gathered this piece of driftwood.
A physical part of my inheritance, it represents so much more.

Book of Mexican amatyl paper, banana paper, glass seed beads, and
thread in a cradle of driftwood on a base of binders board and paper. 2001

Ixchel's Dream
'I found the coconut shells along a rocky rise above a beach in Isla Mujeres,
Mexico. The name came to me instantly. At the end of the island were the
ruins of the temple of Ixchel, who was the Mayan moon goddess.

Books of amatyl paper, horn beads, wooden beads, and thread
in weathered coconut shells with beads and corn on a base of wood,
binders board and paper.' 2002

The Spirit Books Series © Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord [via Boston Book Arts]