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The Art of Adorment: Yogic Bridal Jewelry

Jun. 24, 2010

Sonja Picard, Yogini, Artist and Jewelry Designer

When we meet at a little Japanese tea house in Vancouver, I recognize Canadian artist, sculptor, designer and Yogini Sonja Picard by her striking auburn hair.  It’s an apt complement to her infectious smile and vivacity, yet belies the layer of serenity that lies just beneath.  Having enjoyed an active career as an artist and sculptor, Sonja began a study of yogic philosophy in 1996, and was inspired to create and design pieces of jewelry as an homage to this knowledge.  In 2000, she launched her eponymous jewelry line, the Sonja Picard Collection (SPC) that now has over 350 pieces crafted in silver, gold, gemstones and Canadian diamonds and celebrates the yogic and tantric traditions of adornment.

Today, Sonja puts her sculptural background to use as she first hand-carves each original piece in wax, adding a unique, sculptural organic and tactile quality to her jewelry.  As Sonja launches the newest addition to her work, the SPC Bridal Collection, Yogue chats with her about Yoga, creativity, the eco aspects of her design process and of course bridal inspired yogic jewelry.   Also, read on to get a special offer on SPC jewelry just for Yogue Readers.

Sonja Picard, Yogini, Artist and Jewelry Designer
Sonja Picard, Yogini, Artist and Jewelry Designer

Yogue: Tell us a little bit about this new collection.  Your vision for it…
SP.  The bridal line was created by several insights: First – there were not any bridal collections within the market that had any ‘divine’ meaning or inscriptions, mantra’s on or inside the ring, unless you commissioned an artist/ jewelry designer to specifically make you a ring.  A wedding/commitment ring is such a sacred step between two people, along with the rings being a symbol and meaning of their commitment to one another. I felt there was very little being created to reflect that sentiment. Most people are left to choose from the traditional rings within the market place, not to mention that men’s rings were very, very plain and understated. Secondly, the inspiration came from people using our Lord and Goddess stack ring series for wedding rings and I thought ‘hey it’s time to create a full line of commitment rings using mantras’ such as Ganesha Sharanam a mantra chanted to bless new beginnings.  We also utilize Canadian ethically mined, beautiful diamonds. All the rings are created in yellow, rose, white or green 14K gold. Most of our line has brides and even the groom using several rings to create a unique expression of their relationship together. Like stacking an eternity band with ganesha sharanam and then another stack that says love is inconceivably, simultaneously one and different – a translation from the Vedic mantra Achintya Bhedaabheda tattva.  You can throw in a tiny eternity band with Om inscribed inside… Men and women also love Om mani padme hum – may the jewel of your love shine in your heart.  You can match that with an eternity band for the bride.

Ganesha Sharanam ring, top, Om Mani Padme Om ring, bottom
Ganesha Sharanam ring, top, Om Mani Padme Om ring, bottom

Y. What inspires your Jewelry design process?
I am really inspired by the ancient knowledge and philosophy of yoga – the beautiful meanings, symbols, mantra’s and their sound vibrations is a kaleidoscope of ideas and inspiration that will never be fulfilled for me in ‘this lifetime’!  When I first encountered the philosophy of yoga through my guru Jeffrey Armstrong 14 years ago I started to incorporate a morning sadana using the mantras’ which sets a beautiful intention for the day – then I thought how can I remember these mantra’s?   Jewelry!!! … I could have a reminder of its beauty, meaning and intention with and on me all day – like a positive affirmation.  I also love and am inspired by the ancient traditions of Indian adornment and its various meanings of shringar – there are 16 points of adornment for women…. how can you not be inspired to dress up for your loved one – its a great opportunity to express your ‘shakti’ !

Double lotus heart keys by SPC
Double lotus heart keys by SPC

Y.  What is your Yoga practice and how does it affect/ impact your work?
SP. My yoga practice is all ‘bhakti’ a morning sadhana and chanting – yes some times i do asana yoga – If it’s a day when I am carving and creating a piece in the studio I will do my sadhana (chanting) internally while I create the piece – so my yoga practice can take me all day.  My inspiration primarily comes directly from attending weekly satsang with my teacher and allowing the knowledge to ‘download’ and as time time goes by, an idea or vision will come to mind and then I sketch it out – that’s where the start of a piece is created.  As a sculptor for many years, my process for creating these pieces is by carving a piece of wax – this tactile process for me is the invoking of the human element versus a machine creating the piece – which for me I find rigid and lacking movement. I am also inspired by my surroundings or travel – for me being aware of the nuances of shapes, color, nature, is daily yoga practice.  Recently I was in India for the first time everywhere I went there were puja’s for the Goddess Kali … well, this Fall there will be several pieces honouring this goddess of transformation.

Men's "Ganesha Sharanam" rings
Men’s “Ganesha Sharanam” rings

Y. What are some of the lessons you’ve learned from your Yoga
SP. Lessons from yoga? – that’s a big question – it literally has changed my entire life without question. To summarize it shortly it guides me in a thought process of ‘discernment’ constantly in reference to Ahimsa – non-injury to the planet, relationships, etc… and that karma is at play constantly and we have free will to use wisely with our discernment.

Devi Mani Ring by SPC.
Devi Mani Ring by SPC.

Y – How do Yoga + creativity connect in your experience? Any insights?
S.P.  The process of creativity is unexplainable – I feel as an artist a little possessed at times… I am so compelled to stop the world in its tracks and draw a piece that is speaking so loudly to me.  Right now I am creating a body of work for the Fall and a lot of pieces are being created at the same time with tons of pieces of paper everywhere – they float in the back of my head until their completion and then I can’t even think straight at times and need to go to my drawings and work out the idea immediately. I’m always aware of this force.  I play with, it’s powerful – it is a relationship that is familiar yet foreign – like a crazy lover – it’s a grand experience and still to this day surprises me sweetly. I feel very blessed to create and express myself as a woman.

Small and large eternity rings, Goddess stack ring by SPC
Small and large eternity rings, Goddess stack ring by SPC

Y. Where can we find Sonja Picard?
S.P.  Please visit our website (www.sonjapicard.com) to see all the locations available nearest to you – My studio is located in Ladner and we are happy to take appointments for consults, bridal or to  come see the entire collection of 400 pieces. We sell online and ship anywhere on this beautiful planet!

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Lastly, exclusive to Yogue readers, shop online at sonjapicard.com and receive a 20% discount until July 8, 2010.
Your discount code:  yogue108. Prices for the bridal collection begin from $450 and up. 

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Category: Eco Style, Blog Tags: 14 karat, adornment, bhakti yoga, bridal, bridal jewelry, canadian, canadian diamonds, chanting, eco-chic, eco-conscious, ganesh sharanam, gold, jeffrey armstrong, jewelry, local, mantra, precious stones, pure metals, shringar, silver, sonja picard, sonja picard collection, yoga, yogic jewelry, yogue

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sima says

    June 28, 2010 at 2:44 am

    LOVE this! Her bobbles are heavily featured in the “LOVE & MARRIAGE” section of my Vision Board!

    Reply
  2. Paris says

    December 20, 2010 at 8:58 am

    Such a unique style! Very pretty!

    Reply

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ABOUT YOGUE  Hi, I'm Insiya. Journey with me as we live slow, scatter beauty and tread lightly on the planet.

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insiyafinn

The sky has darkened, the mornings feel as dark as The sky has darkened, the mornings feel as dark as the evenings and it has been pouring rain the last few days. Winter is here and you can feel its insistence. 

I’ve been noticing how much the power of ritual can help us manage how we feel right now. And how beautiful it is that when you consider most rituals from around the planet, when it is dark, we focus on bringing in light…

This week, Ananda Lion and I participated in an advent spiral walk, a ritual that we know from his time at a Steiner school in Santa Cruz. It is so special and such a peaceful counterpoint to what can be such a busy time of the year. I wrote about it on my blog. Head over if you are feeling like a good read. Yogue.ça 

Other rituals we have been enjoying:
Simple home cooked meals (black bean tacos are a fav)
The ritual of travel: this was A blitz in and out of vancouver to drop off my parents who are now in hot Mumbai!!! The skyline has cccchanged so much!
- A visit to the Lamborghini dealership in vancouver for ananda since he wanted to photograph the cars (does anyone else have a car mad child? He started an ig account called @thatonecarspotter_ 😄)
- home made chai for a community of special women. We had a gift exchange last night and I am feeling so loved! Also, I made a cup of chai this morning from the blend of spices and it was amazing. I think I am on to something!!! 💖

More soon. Happy Tuesday.

#rituals #intentionallife #viclife #mindfulliving #growth #exhale #insiyafinn #yogateacher #breathe #healinsiya #healcancer
Hello friends!!! Felt inspired this morning to sha Hello friends!!! Felt inspired this morning to share some of my thoughts from the past six weeks. It feels like I am at a turning point now and I really want to share what recovering and moving forward can look like. I hope this offers some inspiration and support to any of you going through a hard time.

Happy December - can you believe it is already here?

With love and the potency of presence.

Insiya :) 

Ps. With love to my friend @stephaniesnyderyoga for reminding me of the potency of our ability to “begin again.” 

Pss! Also checking that this video runs to the end!!! It’s over the 90 second reel timeline!!! 😀
#namaste #yogalife #yogalessons #cancerrecovery #positivemindset #presence #growth #healinsiya
My internal world has been full of questioning lat My internal world has been full of questioning lately… the ones that keep coming up are: who am I? What do I want to do - with this re-birth into life? Where am I going? What is my purpose? What do I want to create? The questions that emerge when everything under our feet seems like quicksand, when life has seemed contracting and you finally begin to see new openings and light.

I’m allowing space for those answers to emerge, supporting myself w a mindful art course with @bccancer and a weekly women’s circle. BecUse I need to. The emotional whorl is here and real; and while I know it has been a lot I don’t actually realize it until things come up and I feel all the feels.

The body I am in feels different, it is and it will take time to regain my strength and movement ability. And yet life continues and I feel its press: the pull of many roles I bear as a woman, a mother, a daughter, a wife, a teacher, an entrepreneur… and it can feel like a lot!!! 

But then, there is a walk w the sunshine or moonlight on the horizon a meal that celebrates our senses and I remember that I have to stay on my path and begin again…

Photo sprinkles L to R:
1, 2: holiday sparkles w mum and dad 
3. The most delicious lunch ever @belovevictoria 
4. Turmeric, ginger, coriander and fennel: what I made to help me move through a sticky cold this last week.
5. Making herbal salves w @andreapenagos.wellness and @iye.herstories 💖🌱
6. This branch was so beautiful 
7. Lion made a tiramisu (I halved the sugar it was still v sweet)!
8. An appt at BC cancer - I’ll have check ups every 3 months. Each time I see my oncologist I remember how far I have come
9. Today: a walk in the sunshine w my little guy. 

Always counting my roses every day. Have not been writing much recently and need to commit to writing everything down about this last 15 months before I forget… still receiving messages from others encountering cancer and so happy that my story can help give inspiration and hope. Thanks for being here. 
💖💫🙏🏼

#family #growth #exhale #breathe #yogateacher #healcancer #healinsiya #insiyafinn
The roots of where I come from ie. India have alwa The roots of where I come from ie. India have always been an integral part of my practice and study of yoga and Ayurveda, even though my family is Muslim - yoga has always been both and integral and secular practice for me - yet connected deeply to Hindu philosophy - as is Ayurveda. Also so much of what I have learned I also owe to committed teachers and lineage in the west. As someone who has experienced this sort of transnational identity - of space, place, race and more - from living and moving and being in so many countries - i cherish and hold the threads that connect me to meaning and illumination. And I am committed to sharing those threads with lightness of heart and depth of experience.

Super honored to announce that I will be sharing Ayurveda and more @sedonayogafestival this March 2024. If you are considering it say yes. It will be a weekend to cherish. @theblissologist will also be there bringing his incredible Blissology yoga teachings.

And a host of amazing teachers.

Hope to see you there. Ticket prices on a super sale until tonight. Head over to @sedonayogafestival for more. 💖🙏🏼💫

#yogafestivals #yogateacher #growth #ayurveda #modernayurveda #healing #health #india 

Happy Saturday!!!
It’s cold and I awoke this morning feeling like It’s cold and I awoke this morning feeling like I was coming down w a flu. But going outside is always my medicine and the sunshine put on its A game tonight…

One thing I am focusing on right now is how to heal myself by tuning into the rhythms of nature / to our circadian rhythms… this is at the heart of Ayurveda. Happily a lovely yogi sent me a book called “the rhythms of wellness” by Alberta teacher Jaki Daniels, which offers a Chinese medicine perspective on bio rhythms. 🙌

Here’s what is helping me these days:
👇🏽
🌞Getting sunshine when it’s strongest - these days I walk our dog at around 3:30 or 4 pm and soak up whatever light I can.
🥣making lunch my main meal and dinner lighter - this helps our digestive fire to work harder when it can (ie during the afternoon) 
Winding down before 10 pm (trying)!!! But I notice how much better I sleep before getting that second wind of energy.

Lots more about this on my blog if you are interested. Look up « Dinacharya » @ yogue.ça and it will honestly transform your days. 

Saw my surgeon today which was a reminder again of where I was a year ago and where I am today. 

Grateful for a little space of light and sending out as much peace and love as I possibly can. The world needs it. We all do! 💫🙏🏼💖
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