SHARAKAS.com | Sharaka Cordensio | Cordensio

The collection of memories and wishes we hold in our hearts is among our most cherished possessions. A SHARAKA cordensio is a vessel that holds tokens of the important people, places and moments in our lives – capturing the essence of all we hold dear and giving us a language with which to share all that has inspired us.

From the Latin cord and extensio - an extension of the heart.

Each Sharaka has a corked opening into which one can place tokens of memories or special wishes - and its purpose is to capture the essence of the meaningful parts of one's life in order to transform a simple vessel into something magical. When given as a gift, special tokens are placed into a satchel so that the recipient can see them before they go into the Sharaka. Though it is possible to empty the contents, the idea is to put the essence of powerful memories and wishes inside and never remove them. A booklet is also included so that items can be catalogued, if desired.

A Sharaka is a means of honoring the people and experiences that have had a profound influence on you as well as the many small and otherwise forgotten moments of joy that compose a life. Ultimately, it is a legacy of all that has enriched your spirit and a portrait of who you are, at heart.

SHARAKA cordensios have become a favorite gift for weddings, birthdays, baby showers graduations, housewarmings, retirements, anniversaries and other significant occasions. At group celebrations, a Sharaka is often passed around so that everyone can add a wish or token for the guest of honor.

Gift Sharakas are often started with tokens of memories shared with the
recipient, for example:

~ sand from a childhood beach;
~ matches from a favorite restaurant;
~ a ticket stub from a concert.

It is also possible to include symbols of wishes for the recipient:

~ HEALTH – flaxseed;
~ PROSPERITY – a penny;
~ LOVE – a rose petal.

The SHARAKA studio can also provide more exotic items to represent any
number of wishes:

~ HEALING – stones from the Dead Sea;
~ PEACE – black sand from Hawaii;
~ JOY – orange cord blessed by the Dalai Lama

I created the first Sharaka cordensios because I wanted to give each of my four sisters something that felt magical to them. Having been raised in a close Persian/Irish family, the tribal spirit of our youth has shaped the bond we share together as adults. That connection - and the connection we have to other important people in our lives - is our most powerful resource. It is what we hold in our hearts - what inspires us - and what gives us our magic.

Those original Sharakas were filled with pebbles from our parent’s house, sand from our childhood beach, and mementos of other nostalgic places. I also included tokens that represent where each of us lives now and my wish for each sister - and they have continued to make meaningful additions over time. Most significantly, the notion of capturing the joyful and inspiring moments in our lives has made us more aware of how often they occur. One thing is for certain - we’re going to need a lot more Sharakas. . .


	– Sharene Shariatzadeh, Founder