Posts Tagged ‘beadwork’

Off to Paton country…

I’ve just realise that this post was never properly published! I hope this will explain why I’ve been quiet!

road in KZN

I am so super excited I barely know what to do with myself!

I’m off to Pietermaritzburg for a two day beadwork conference at the University of KwaZulu Natal Centre for Visual Arts. Yes, I said a two day beadwork conference. In KZN. I am almost melting with anticipation. This is, believe it or not, the first time I’ve travelled alone in South Africa, and I’m really very excited.

I’m flying tomorrow to Durban, staying the night in Morningside, then going on a bead hunt! Three bead suppliers, the Phansi Museum, and the African Art Centre. If there’s time I may even try to make it to the BAT Centre. Then on the bus up to Pietermaritzburg. I’m even giving a half hour talk about our business on Thursday. Then Durban for the night, and an early morning flight in time to join in the festivities of the FIFA  final draw. Ooooh yeay, what a great week.

In other news, big, BIG thank yous to Brandie of Out and About Africa for her lovely post about Beloved Beadwork. What kind words. I hope we can live up to your expectations Brandie!

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Pretty things

I recently had reason to photograph everything we have in the shop! It was a lot of fun. Here’s my favourite:

Pretty Beaded Stone Rings

Pretty Beaded Stone Rings

I love our beaded stone rings. They’re so much fun, and just a little OTT, because why not?! Can you believe we only use beads and thread?

Today is a happy day at the shop, as we’ve finally got round to adding finishers to a lot of our stock, and it’s looking beautiful as it goes onto the shelves.

I hope you’re having a happy thursday :-)

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A day about town with Bili Bidjocka

Bili Bidjocka by lettera27

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!

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