Iriquois Echoes - In Limbo

This beaded collar had a few new approaches within the Kindred Spirits Series.  When I began to approach the layout of the focal stones, I was not satisfied with the shape of the beaded collar template that was being used, instead I wanted to create a hand drawn base to move forward from so, for a few days the exercise was to come up with a pattern that would accomodate larger stones yet was not over stated.  This is what I came up with.

I began collecting special cut stones and fossils by the talented lapidary artist Gary Wilson thanks to Sherry Serafini's strong recommendation at the Bead and Button Show in 2005.  Ever since, it has been hard to find anyone who is as masterful in his acquiring beautiful stones and his unbelievable talent at cutting and creating these masterpieces.  These special stones have been extensively used in this piece.  

Two main stone types, the first is Chrysolite and the second being Labradorite.  The Chrysolite looks a lot like Turquoise as it has high traces of copper.  The Labrodorite is the luminous bluish stone on the upper left hand corner of the image below.  After that the secondary focal points are mother of pearl disks.  The mother of pearl disks are the ones on the lower right corner.  
As I started my collaging the stones and placing beads on the template, the stones were so mesmerizing that it was appealing to have seed beads echo the shapes and offset the hues as in a rippling effect. So the amount of seed beads in Size 11, 15 and 3 cut 15's required are much higher.  

Rarely do I show people what the back side of the beaded embroidery looks like, so today I took some extra shots to share, really two beads stitched and then backstitched at a time.  It looks like a maze of threads crisscrossing on the back.  It's too bad it ends up being covered once all the bead embroidery is done.

At this point, the main body of the piece is almost complete, and actually today I was so ready to complete it except for one simple reason........ I ran out of the seafoam luster green Delicas that dominate the overall color scheme!  

So, now along with all the other LB o J'zazzers I am eagerly awaiting the first ever shipment of seed beads, Delicas and Czech beads to satisfy my need to bead.  This has been one of the most rewarding beaded collars in terms of the end result and am considering entering the piece in competitions such as the Bead Dreams by Bead and Button and The Saul Bell Design Awards by Rio Grande.  

Will keep you posted as the project nears completion.

 

Crystal Clear Fireline Back By Popular Demand

For those of you who took the Peyote Cuff, the Flower On The Serpentine or our recent Viral Spiral Class were able to sample and use the Fireline.  However, what was available at the time was limited to the Smoke color and as many beaders are opting for lighter and brighter color palettes, your request for the Crystal Clear Fireline has been served!

We now have Crystal Clear available in the 4lb and 6lb version.  Fireline is ideal for off loom weaving, securing your pieces, embellishing and fringing when you want the tension to be a bit tauter, or your working with machine cut beads such as our Czech Machine Cut Bicones and Spacers.  

Just What Are Findings?

Upon looking at a finished object of beaded adornment, the beads tend to take center stage. However, Findings in themselves are a key component that enables you to achieve the desired effect when assembling and finishing pieces. As you peruse beading magazines and publications the word Findings pops up frequently. So, LB o J'zazz is introducing several key ranges of Findings. This will allow you to see the wide range of what this category consists of.
Findings are basic components that hold, house and showcase your work. Some examples such as Eye and Head Pins, Bead Caps, Links, Jumprings, Crimp Beads, Crimp Covers and Clasps starts the range and can get more elaborate and varied.
Findings can make or break a project literally and aesthetically.  When I first started making beaded and adorned objects it was hard to differentiate if something was shoddy and did not hold the work properly, until I became more exposed to the variety of qualities and the actual materials used.  Unfortunately this took place outside our local market in Kuwait and hence, LB o J'zazz came into fruition for that reason and a bunch of others! 
It also becomes more evident when you start making your own jewellry, so now, for those beaders and artisans when you go to the mall and or see other beaders work you can look at all the components and realize just how much time went into not only making the final piece but the quality of finishing and the actual Findings.
Soft Flex, Vintaj and Tierracast are three key lines that we are very proud to offer.  There are several criteria that we focus on when selecting who we source our products from:

1. Quality and finishing of material
2. Nickel and lead free 
3. Reasonable pricing for the quality we offer you.  
4. Environmental commitments from a manufacturing and managing of resources standpoint.                       

We will be introducing each range and items, how they are used and recommended applications in our upcoming posts.  If you have any questions please post them. 


Image:  Art Nouveau In Pink is an off-loom woven piece by co-founder of LB o J'zazz; Bettina Al-Bakhit.  The technique employed is Peyote Stitch and Fringing.  The clasp and crimp beads employed to secure the piece are considered Findings.

LB o J'zazz at KTAA event Saturday November 21

Pass by this coming Saturday the Sadu House as the Kuwait Textile Arts Association will have an arts and crafts bazaar. 
 

We will be showcasing some of our recent hand crafted off loom beadwork in addition to our creations in Decopatch.  For beaders and crafters you will be able to purchase loose beads,crytals, findings and special Beaders Gift Baskets in addition to the Decopatch range to create your own unique handcrafted projects.  

The event will start at 10 AM and end at 1 PM 
Saturday November 21

Venue:  Sadu House near the Seif and Amiri Diwan and adjacent to the National Museum on Gulf Road, Kuwait City

Above image is Snow Queen Beaded Collar; beaded embroidery by Bettina Al Bakhit

LB o J'zazz Shop will be closed this Wednesday evening and Saturday Nov 14

LB o J'zazz will be closed this evening as we will temporarily be out of the beading coverage area.  For all of you LB o J'zazzers, our Saturday classes will resume shortly.  However, this coming Saturday November 14 you can shop to your heart's delight at the Annual Holiday Bazaar, our beads, tools, Beaders Gift Baskets and Decopatch will be on offer and it's  being held at the Salwa Sabah Al Ahmad Hall from 10 AM-9 PM.  

We would love to see you there!   

LB o J'zazz at Charity Bazaar Saturday November 14

Just to let you know that this coming Saturday November 14, our shop in Shaab El Bahry will be closed for the day.  However, you can find us at the Salwa Sabah Hall beginning from 10 AM to 9 PM.  We will be offering our unique kit designs that are great gifts in addition to our Soft Flex Range, Tierra Cast, Vintaj, Beads, Crystals and tool sets.  

For those of you who are looking for the ultimate gift for a friend who beads, we have created the Beaders Gift Basket in limited quantities.

Back by popular demand we will have an extended Decopatch range with new accessories, objects and paper designs.  

The 28 Faces Of The Beloved by renowned architect and artist Fareed Abdal will also be showcased to place orders that will be delivered as the ultimate gift for the holiday season.  




LOCATION:
Salwa Sabah Al Ahmad Hall
Marina Complex
November 14, 2009
10 AM - 9PM

There is a 1KD entry fee

Al Watan TV feature on just what LB o J'zazz is all about

For those of you who did not catch the LB o J'zazz feature on Al Watan TV you can go to the link.  We were interviewed by Hessa Al Loghani whose main question and focus to us was why would we teach and share our knowledge vs. monopolizing our talents to sell finished pieces? 
This debate of knowledge and technical know how monopolization is rampant in our region and goes to show just how much more we have to promote adult education, personal development and experiential learning.  LB o J'zazz founders promoting learning arts and crafts

Viral Spiral Earrings and Bracelet Class November 7 at 9:30 AM

You will easily master this stitch that looks like a DNA helix ; you will want to use the Spiral Stitch more than expected as it is a very versatile off loom technique.  We will start with the long earrings and then move onto the bracelet.  
Sparkling Bohemian Czech Bicones in rich hues and tones have been created in three pallettes to choose from,in addition to seed beads, Crystal Drops and Pressed Glass will be employed as you also will learn some basic fringing techniques that is an introduction to embellishing in the bead arts.   
The class will begin at 9:30 AM Saturday.  If you do not have the tools listed, we highly recommend you purchase them at LB o J'zazz shop before the class.  
Two seats remain available at this time, so reserve your space to bead in a relaxed, quiet and fun atmosphere.

To register please contact us at 5555-7745 or 6676-7608 and at lubna@lbojzazz.com.

LB o J'zazz featured on Al Watan TV tonight at 9

After the economic meltdown of retail giants at global and local levels it is high time for people to realize the potential of the power of small businesses and buying handmade.  In this vein, LB o J'zazz will be featured on the popular program on Al Watan TV this evening called " Banat wu Bass".  
Although "Banat wu Bass" has an exclusionary feel to it in terms of their subject matter, for the mere fact that the managing partners of LB o J'zazz happen to be ladies, LB o J'zazz offers classes and workshops to women and men alike. 
We welcome your comments and feedback as we will also be seeing it for the first time tonight with viewers at 9 PM and there will be a rerun at 11 PM this evening also.