Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the iconic images of Catholic Mexico dating back to the 16th century. Here in New Mexico she is also an important part of the visual and spiritual landscape-- in fact there is a church in Peralta named after her.

This striking collaged belt buckle with a beautiful tooled red leather western strap belt is an accessory that will add enchantment to any outfit. 

The buckle is 4" x  2 5/8" and the belt is 36" long x 1.5" wide.

Little Rock artist, Jennifer O' Brien who grew up in part in New Mexico hasn't forgotten her roots. She collages metal buckle bases with paper, plastic gems and other materials.  She then pours a two-part resin, which takes about 72 hours to harden and set and magically the finished creation is ready to wear!

Ms. O'Brien is an intuitive artist who has gone through many losses and her art comes out of those losses. She says" that the realization the art that we create and the art we collect is too precious and expressive of our true selves to only hang on our walls and leave behind when we go out into the world. Some of art needs to move with us, be with us... adorn us." So she started collaging belt buckles.

So adorn yourself or someone else with this eye-catching celebration of creativity!

Two galleries that carry her work are Gallery 26 in Little Rock, AR www.gallery26.com and Boswell-Mourot Fine Art in Miami, FL. http://www.boswellmourot.com/. 

Along with the belt includes two books about Guadalupe, both published by the Museum of New Mexico Press.

Viva Guadalupe!: The Virgin in New Mexican Popular Art and Guadalupe: Our Lady of New Mexico both by Jacqueline Orsini Dunnington. Together this books will give you a historical and visual perspective on three centuries of devotion to the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe.

So if you want to include Guadalupe on many levels into your own culture, all takes is that special bid.