Solar Flare.. expected this Saturday August 13

A lovely gem of a necklace| Photo by Bettina Al-Bakhit

In tandem with the astonishing activity happening on our Sun planet, I thought there is no better time to introduce this 'astronomical' class to our wonderful students and to Kuwait then now. 

Albight it may look simple, creating an Open-back Bezel in this class will require previous experience in beading, patience and love.  An advanced class, this encapsulating technique mainly requires precision in details and appreciation of working with high quality Japanese cylindrical and tiny round seed beads.  With that receipe,  I assure you the outcome can only be termed as priceless.

The pendent of all pendents, this bezeled focal piece spur life| Photo by Bettina Al-Bakhit

All the credit for learning this advanced beading technique goes to my teacher and Master Beader extraordinaire Laura McCabe about 5 years ago.  During a marathon of workshops in mid-2000's, i came across a photo that made my eyes tickle.  And even though the class was 'Advanced', I was not about to let that deter me from learning how to create such exquisite, "living", and detailed pieces.  This Saturday, I share the core of what I learned with you.

I will show you how to cradle and center this Rivoli pendent with seed beads, embellish with sparkling vivid crystals, suspend off strun Soft Flex heaving wire with more crystals andaccented by Tierra Cast's fine findings and beads, and lastly the proper, clean way to close your piece.  Solar Flare Necklace class is rich with techniques and will opening doors to endless possibilities for you to create high quality jewelry of your own.

You will be learning 5 major techniques in this class.

Technique/s:                      Open-Back Bezel; Circular Peyote; Tubular Herringbone/Ndebele; Embellishing;   Stringing
Class Level:                       Advanced
Prerequisite Required:       Peyote; Herringbone/Ndebele
Time:                                 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Venue:                               Jabriyah, Block 9, Street 6, House 13 (Side entrance to Basement)

As usual we will be offering several colorways to select from. 

To register, kindly visit Mr. Chaminda at our LB o J'zazz shop in Shaab Al-Bahry.  And if there are any questions, please email us at info@lbojzazz.com or call 2261-0686.

Workshop: Toscana Dutch Spiral Earrings this Saturday

New to our workshop series is a beautiful beading technique that opens your creative sphere into a whole undiscovered realm.  LB o J'zazz is happy to introduce the Dutch Spiral.  I must admit that although it can be challenging, the end results are just majestic.  What makes this such a unique technique is how the repetitive movement naturally forces a 'spiraling' form to take shape as though the 'twist' is forced and yet the follow is graceful.  Endless possibilities of applying different sizes and shapes of beads into this one technique allows you to enjoy an entirely fascinating new look in addition to opening up fresh opportunities.

Also to compliment "Toscana Dutch Spiral Earrings" workshop, we will also be showing you what you can do when you just can not get to a store to get the basic earring hook you need to complete your home project.  So a little stitching and a little wirework will be on the table this weekend.

Workshop:      Toscana Dutch Spiral Earrings
Date:               Saturday May 7, 2011
Venue:             Jabriyah, Block 9, Street 6 (Side basement entrance)
Time:               9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Level:              Advanced Beginner
Prerequisite:    Peyote Stitch
                     (NOTE:  It is preferrable those who choose to attend are familiar with the Peyote stitch).

Because we will be doing a little wirework, you will need to bring the following tools:

1.  Round Nose Plier
2.  Chain Nose and/or Flat Nose Plier
3.  Wire Cutters or Flush Cutters

As classes are growing, pre-Registration at our  LB o J'zazz shop in Shaab Al-Bahry is recommended.  You may either drop a comment here, email us at info@lbojzazz.com or call our shop at 22610686 and speak to Chaminda and he will gladly assit you. 

(The dress code is Casual and comfortable and drinks and light snacks will be offered)

Dancing Crystals Choker- Class Saturday March 13

Part of Lubna's Signature Series, the Dancing Choker came about during a two week bed ridden bout with the flu back in 2005. I've always been fascinated by insects, cobwebs and cocoons and how these insects and their structures drape and yet are resilient and withstand a lot. So, when I began to play with the Soft Flex Beading Wire, structures that felt like sprouting tentacles and cobwebs that had a cascading effect emerged.
This is a modification and elaboration of the original design and is a show stopper. It is definitely a dramatic piece to be worn with a strapless dress or a square cut as the draping of the crystals dancing takes place all the way around the neck and in the back. Beaders will be introduced to the luscious and verdant colors series from Soft Flex called Trios and will be creating a rich patterning with our Bohemian crystals in sizes ranging from 3mm-6mm bicones. The draping pattern will be suspended from a peyote base of bugle beads.

The class will begin this Saturday March 13 at 9:00 AM and end at 1:30 PM and will be at our location in Jabriya. For more information on materials, tools and cost fees send us an email at info@lbojzazz.com or call us at 5555-7745 or 6676-7608. The class will be lead by Lubna and supported by Bettina; the dynamic beading duo at your service.

Beading Wire: Soft Flex Comes Your Way

We have just received a major collection that both Bettina and I had been eagerly anticipating. If I told you it was a special wire used for making accessories and our adorned objects, you may say- what is all the fuss about. Well, this is an interesting type of wire, in that in some finishes and weights you can knot it and even crochet the wire to create structures. In addition, these beading wires can be used for heavy gemstones and large beads also.

Some of our projects and upcoming workshops will cover the versatility and variations of ideas that this material can give you. To the extent that event designers are using Soft Flex Beading Wire to embellish crystals and beads throughout their projects. Soft Flex Fine Beading Wire was introduced in our first workshop Bohemian Delight Earrings and Necklace set that is featured in the photograph.

The range is quite extensive and offers versatility in terms of affordability and what your final vision for your finished piece is. Six ranges in all beginning with Econoflex, Soft Touch, Extreme in precious metal finishes, Metallics, Original and Trios. Combined with the highest quality and dependable range of crimp beads and crimp covers.

In addition, LB o J'zazz seeks responsible companies that integrate environmental commitments in their manufacturing processes and approach. We are glad to say that Soft Flex is indeed the first wire manufacturer to go Green.