Gearing Up for Saturday April 30 Class: Fab Cab Ring In Sage Green

Fab Cab In Sage Green Photo Maryam Al-Rashed

When we originally posted the write up for the class, the response was overwhelmingly positive.  However, as I felt the design needed some modifying, it was off to the Beading Kitchen this morning and this is what unfolded.  The cab was so wonderful to work with as colorways were subtle, layered and rich.  There will be four different colored kits available: Sage Green, Golden Roses, Blue Skies Opal and Cool Turquoise.  It will be interesting to see who chooses what in terms of the kits.
If you are interested in this class, to ensure kit availability we recommend you Pre-register at the Shaab el Bahry store location.  This class is filling up quickly so head on over. 

Master Glass Maker Mr. Jindrich Ceska from Jablonec nad Nisou

On our first trip to Prague and the Czech Republic it was the intent of both Bettina and I to get as close to the famed cottage industry of glass makers and artisans in the glass making region as we could. From the standpoint of interaction, learning and having a better understanding and appreciation of the processes and to purchase direct from the artisans rather than increase the profits of huge companies who relied on these artisans but did not compensate them accordingly.

It was truly a journey of firsts for the both of us and the wonderful people that we met, who embraced our approach and were mirroring it in their own business and work attitudes. For all of the wonderful artisans who are honing their crafts in the little sheds scattered across the hill sides, for the families and cottage industry and the manufacturers who cook and make the glass, for the people who toil away in the heat of the furnaces and the kilns day in and day out to produce these objects.... We salute you.

We stayed in a small hotel outside the main town by the river Nisou that served skiers in the area. Anytime, we drove by chimney stacks attached to homes, cottages or larger structures we were informed that someone was up to something that had to do with Czech glass. We stayed in the region for over four days in the beginning of March as over two meters of heavy snowfall began to melt. Two days before we were to head back to Prague by bus, our dear friend and colleague Pavel took us to visit various artisans. To our amazement and surprise, one of the most prominent glass makers in the world of a special range of what is called special glass stones and cabochons lived and worked not more than 200 meters from our hotel!


Our aim, is for our readers, hobbyists, artists and designers to have a better understanding of the craft and to bring these special pieces from the Czech Republic and many other places on this planet to you. Mr. Jindrich Ceska, Master Glass Cabochon maker is our first from J'zazz Beadz highlighted artists.

Prague and Beyond

Bettina and Lubna after four years of talking and dreaming about a buying and sourcing trip to the Czech Republic in search of artisans, glass, beads and more beads to bring back to you here in Kuwait finally did it!! From February 25th until March the 8th the beadaholics headed up north to the cold weather in Prague and the snow laden hills and slopes of Jablonec.

We will give you a photo and travelogue update that includes visiting the famous glass capital region of Jablonec and the cottage industry of pressed glass, seed beads, machine cut beads and special stones and cabochons. We would recommend visiting Prague as it is truly a city of beauty, layers of architecture, craftsmanship in the Medieval, Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau styles and periods abound.