The Curtain. Photo by Goodman Gallery
Easily the biggest project Beloved Beadwork has ever undertaken, we assisted Bili Bidjocka in making a 2.5 by 4 metre beaded curtain… in ten days! Looking back, we can hardly believe we managed it. In that week and a half, our lives (Laurence and I especially) just became that curtain. The little black beads would turn up in all sorts of places – our shoes, pockets, books, everywhere! But at the end, the sense of pride we felt was just overwhelming. There were audible gasps as it was lifted into place, and no one could believe how accurate the Hebrew was at the end.
Laurence and I with the Curtain
We used size 5/0 and 6/0 Czech Seed Beads, and the wonderful Bead Tool to map the pattern. The words translate as ‘What in this night is different from any other night?’, which is traditionally sung by children at the celebration of Passover.
Beaded Canvas
We also assisted in embroidering two large canvases. I just love the labour intensivity of beadwork. This took five people one week to complete.
All in all, an amazing experience, which taught us how much we’re capable of when we put our minds to it.
Posted in collaboration
Well, to be honest it feels more like summer! But it’s very exciting nevertheless. And to celebrate spring’s arrival, we’re offering 20% off all of our retail stock in store for September. Even better, we’re offering 5% off all wholesale orders placed this month. So come visit, or request a catalogue. Yeay!
Posted in sale
I’ve been avoiding writing this post for fear of sounding trite for quite some time now. But it’s no good, I can hold back no longer! I need to wax lyrical about two of the wonderful women who make Beloved Beadwork what it is. They are Laurence and Constance.
the lovely Laurence
Laurence and I first met in 2006 when I taught an English and beading class. It’s hard to believe now that Laurence ever needed English classes, her English is perfect! Laurence is an Economics graduate and qualified Financial Manager from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a church leader and a wonderful mum of three. I’ll leave it to her to tell you about the struggles she has to have her qualifications recognised here another time. She is one of the most capable, head-strong business women I know, and she often keeps me going with a well-timed pep talk when I’m feeling a little low. Laurence manages our paperwork, and beads our most complex pieces. Watch this space, there are great things ahead!
the courageous Constance
Constance and I met in Khayelitsha in 2005, and worked together at Sibanye for some time. But it is working together at Beloved Beadwork that has really given us the chance to get to know each other. Originally hailing from the Eastern Cape, Constance is an amazing young mum of a lovely daughter, a great support to her family, a runner, and supremely intelligent! She has a strength, wisdom, and an ability to manage money I can only envy. And plans, lots of concrete plans to make an amazing life for her and her daughter. Constance is the general assistant here at Beloved Beadwork, she does everything from shopkeeping to admin to product development. Watch this space too, Constance has wonderful things in her future.
So there you are, now you know us a little better! If you wonder what keeps me enthusiastic and keen during the difficult first few years of a new business, now you know!
Posted in the team
Bili Bidjocka by Lettera27
An exciting development has come about at Beloved Beadwork – we have been asked to collaborate with Bili Bidjocka, a renouned Cameroonian/Parisian artist, on an upcoming exhibition for the Goodman Gallery in Woodstock .
Today, what began as a rather functional visit to bead suppliers, became a tour of all my favourite beadwork spots in the city. It is easy to forget what a marvelous Cape Town is. As we wove our way through busy streets of diverse architecture, I marvelled at the pace of change and the prominence of history here. We popped into the bead shop in Long Street, then Zulu Azania and African Image in Church Street, plus a new place which will have a post of it’s own, down back-alleys and side streets to the watchmakers. It was such a delight to watch Bili become so enthralled and amazed at South Africa’s beadwork traditions, and at all the possibilities of expression inherent in these unassuming little pieces of glass.
So watch this space. There are countless hours of work ahead, but on the 17th of September, wonders will be seen!
Tags:
african image, art, artist, backstreets, beadwork, bili bidjocka, cameroon, cape town, history, i love cape town!, long street bead shop, oberhalzer, paris, watchmakers, zulu azania
Posted in collaboration
Beloved Beadwork is a small, Cape Town-based company. We make beautiful pieces of hand-crafted jewellery using Japanese and Czech seed beads, and a huge variety of techniques. We aim to push the boundaries of beadwork, using the technique to produce textures and colour combinations which fascinate the eye.
Our studio is at the Montebello Design Centre in Newlands. We love our quiet, leafy surroundings there, and the lovely people we share the space with.
This blog will chart our progress, I hope, from small, start-up company, to a fully fledged, strong company, renouned for our design. (Well, that’s the idea anyway!)
Thanks for visiting, and please visit regularly. 
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