Lupine Collection Belly Bands

Celebrate your sexy feminine healing energy with this ancient earthen amplifier, the belly band. The L U P I N E collection was inspired by the lovely array of colors of the native Lupinus Albifrons splash along the California coastline, in open meadows, prairies, hillsides and forest clearings. Not only are belly bands beautiful, they are an ancient feminine tradition (more about that below). Wear them anywhere from waist to hips to womb to neckline.

Each band is crafted using flexible beading wire that is 7 wires strong and water resistant. Meaning you can wear your belly bands to the beach and in rivers! 💦 The wire is hypoallergenic and has no nickel content. Each band is finished with a strong sterling silver plated adjustable chain.

STYLES:
Lupine: crafted with beads made of sea glass in a range of lupine-like hues and golden colored puka shell charms.
Amethyst & faceted golden beads
Chinese Garnet & silver colored charms/beads
Rose Quartz with smooth golden spacer beads
 
NOTICE SIZE RANGE! Due to the organic nature of the stone beads and the way I create these bands, each belly band I create varies in size. Contact me if you need a custom size made for you, I can make all sizes!
 
I currently have these sizes below, please leave a note at checkout indicating what size you would like to recieve:
 
Amethyst
-31.5”-37”
-34”-39”
 
Garnet
-31.5”37”
 
Rose Quartz
-34.5”-40”

The best way to put these on your body, is to sit down with a relaxed belly and then fasten along the waist. This allows your belly band the space to move with your body comfortably throughout the day. These belly bands are made with durable materials, however, the chain is still somewhat delicate and it's best to avoid wearing them too tightly or in a restricting way.

*Please note that wearing these in hot springs could affect the color of certain stones or potentially patina (term for oxidation of metal) any charms or spacer beads used due to high mineral content of the waters; especially with high sulphur hot spring waters. You can totally wear them while playing in the ocean, rivers, beaches and even poolside!


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BELLY BEAD LINEAGE:

Belly Bands are more than just pretty decorations. The hues and the reasons for wearing them bear a multitude of meanings and a whisper of mystery and folklore.

Historians believe the African tradition of waist beads may have originated among the Yoruba tribes, now mainly in Nigeria.

But the practice is seen in West Africa, notably Ghana, where they are worn as a celebration of womanhood, as ornaments, for body shaping, as well as for symbolic adornment, which serves as a sign of wealth, femininity, sensuality, fertility, protection, aristocracy, as well as spiritual well-being. As part of Ghanaian tradition, a successful suitor would commission a set of beads including bracelets, anklets, necklaces, cuffs and waist beads for the bride. This was part of her dowry and the foundation of her PERSONAL WEALTH. During Ghanaian naming ceremonies, babies are typically adorned with waist beads, while young adults also wear beads around their waists and on their hips during puberty rites as a portrayal of femininity. These beads are believed to possess the power to attract as well as evoke deep emotional responses.

Waist beads are also found in other cultures, and while African and Islamic women typically keep them under wraps, some display the beads over their clothes or on bare midriffs, such as belly dancers in Eastern cultures.

Some see them as conveyors of positive energy and healing. Some wear them strictly for fashion. And still others choose them for the practical use of weight control — when your beads are getting a little tight, it’s time to back off that blueberry muffin!

Think of them as colorful strands of divine femininity — vibrant glass or clay beads, gemstones, pieces of horn, bone, shells and sometimes gold or silver fittings, strung together by hand to embrace an individual's midsection.

*Anyone can embrace these! Yes the history reflects woman identifying bodies but that will not limit us here. LGBTQ+....anyone with a belly can have fun with these.