Earth Day and our little take on this

 

A succulent in Lubna's Pot Garden 

 

Both Bettina and I have been passionately committed to seeking a healthier and less polluted environment, wise and practical urban planning, sustainability and green building.  In our corporate paths, we worked separately and in parallel without really deciding on the how but rather, on the why.  So, as LB o J'zazz came to be, we were, for the first time able to put our ideas and life philosophy in motion without having to battle the bottom line profit-hungry and ignorant powers-that-be on the immense and critical importance of protecting, saving and nurturing our planet. So, as we are now the-powers-that-be; it took very little convincing. .
Earth Day is just around the corner on April 22nd and we will be sharing with you our stories, practices and ideas that as a tiny entrepreneurial business we live by day to day and share with our customers and friends.  It is a main part of our mission to seek and work with companies that are committed to healthier modes of production, reducing carbon emissions, recycling, upcycling, Fair Trade  and a lot more.
On this note, we kick off our series of blogs leading up and continuing well after Earth Day with a link to Earth Day Network.  You can find Earth Day activities and events across the globe and get access to many innovative and simple ways to contribute to embracing the planet we live on for us now and the generations that will follow.  In addition to tools for teachers and companies to incorporate Environmental education. 
We also welcome you to offer and share your daily acts of nurturing and preserving Mother Earth through our blog and comments.  

By merely buying local and handmade in itself may contribute to this effort. You can go to  http://www.earthday.net/

Tri Link Choker Class Saturday February 20

This Saturday in our regular class series, a new lighter and more delicate design will pave the way for sunny days and spring evenings.  This idea came to me, as I imagined what kind of jewelry would one wear on an island in the Mediterranean and this is what came to fruition.  
Combining two ancient off loom weaving techniques and allowing the links to become the focal points with the Native American Peyote stitch and the Spiral Stitch of the Zulus coming together in a new interpretation of the past with hammertone gold as the focal points.  Accenting the circularity of the links, the closure is a contrast in a square deco style.

Participants are also going to experiment with how threads can change and alter the colorways of a piece and how to enhance this feature along with experimenting of color blending of beads to create a subtle but rich palette. 


We have one seat remaining for this class.  
For more information on the class details you can contact either Bettina or myself or via email at info@lbojzazz.com

Violet Petal in Bloom Necklace Class Saturday Feb 13

Designed and made by Bettina Al-Bakhit


Welcoming the beautiful rain, this filigree petal focal piece begins to bloom with the colorful Czech pressed-glass, flower-shaped beads, alongside with crystal spacers and bicones, silk-dyed ribbon, brass link chain and all the little brass wires used to drape them all around the necklace. This is a unique combination of very different materials, the very soft and delicate silk ribbon, side-by-side with the sturdy and strong brass chain. And to give it some brightness and that 'pizzazz', charm-like crystals sparkle with the play of the slightest light. An unusual contrast, one can only marvel at how such opposites can yield such a beautiful harmonized piece.


An all-new LB o J'zazz workshop focusing on wire work in combination with basic stringing. And a simple pair of earrings class will be offered in the next week to compliment this lovely necklace.

Violet Petal in Bloom workshop is scheduled to take place Saturday February 13, 2010. To register please send an email to: info@lbojzazz.com or visit us at our shop.