Rootwork

 

Rootwork is a jewelry line that I design. It embodies the elements of an American folk practice known as Rootwork, and is also recognizable by the terms conjure, Hoodoo, goophering, or folk magic. It is part African American, part Native American, part European, and Louisiana is best known as its home turf.

Objects pertaining to the practice of Hoodoo have been found in American, particularly Southern homes dating from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Just to provide a  little bit of info on what Hoodoo is, I will first mention that it is not the same as Voodoo, which is a religion. Hoodoo, commonly described as a folk ritual practice, conjure, rootwork, or magic, is not part of a religion, and uses spiritual powers rather than religious deities. These conjurations, or "spells" for lack of a better word, are often used to heal, protect, or "bewitch," requiring objects, amulets, and charms to make the spells work. In many cases, these charms are put near windows, doorways, chimneys, and steps, in order to protect the house or those who live inside of it from negative energy, people who mean harm, or "evil" - again for lack of a better word. But for other spells, the charms were worn in the form of a necklace that one would wear under their clothes. Such charms would be found wrapped up in twine, hemp, or copper wires, bearing little notes, and on many occasions, these charms included oyster shells.

Considering these wearable charms made of oyster shells and copper colored metals, I have designed a new line of Automatic Doll jewelry that is inspired by these oyster Hoodoo charms. No, I have not gone off the deep end - I used to study Hoodoo in literature and film as a graduate student. Instead, I am simply using this little bit Southern lore and magic to create something beautiful that can be worn as an accessory. If you like these mysterious and enticing beauties, you can find them here at my Etsy shop. These I will call my Rootwork Jewelry Line.