The Czechs Are In Town! This Wednesday March 6

Beady Spines Wraparound employing Size 11/0 Czech seed beads in the base

Fresh new colors for the Spring and Summer Season, our oh so popular Preciosa Seed Beads from the Czech Republic are just in for our beading friends. We will be showcasing the new arrivals as well as our favorite Czech Beads.
Czech seed beads offer a wonderful option with a crafty feel and beautiful rich palettes that work well in bead embroidery, N'debele and Spiral Stitch as well as other techniques.

Preciosa Czech Seed Beads in Size 8/0 Green AB in N'deble Shifts

So please join us as we start the afternoon and well into the evening with some music, yummy beverages and great company with the Czechs!


Date:  Wednesday March 9, 2013
Time:  4:00pm-9:30pm
Venue:  LB o J'zazz
Shaab Al Bahry Block 8
Mohammed Darwish Al Aradi Street
Mujama Shaab Shop #4 (next to Eurotelecom)

We are KNET friendly

Tuesday Night Class: Crystal Fusions Bracelet This July 17

Many of our customers have requested we bring back more classes on weeknights and with less traffic on the roads and more people out of town this was an ideal time to add these days to the calendar.  I have been delving more and more into rope designs with beads and exploring the connections that are created along with visual flow.  So, this summer I wanted to share some of these experiments in creating a variety of beaded rope solutions that can become the focal part of the piece or used to interchange with pendants depending on the mood and style of what the person is wearing. 
This spiral stitch with Czech Crystals is the perfect starting point and allows you to showcase the 4mm bicones and the beauty of the seed beads in a spiraling ladder sequence.  Very much like a DNA helix that seems endless and infinite. 
The other concept introduced in this class is to use a Swarovski Crystal Rivoli button as the closure that solidifies the visual flow of the piece.  This project comes in eight unique kits that are now available for registration and reserving the colorway at the LB o J'zazz Shaab Al Bahry shop. 
We are KNET friendly.  For more information on class fees and materials list you can contact us at 2261-0686 or via email at info@lbojzazz.com

Date:  July 17, Tuesday
Time:  6:00pm- 8:30pm
Technique:  Spiral Stitch
Level:  Beginners / Foundational 
Venue:  LB o J'zazz Beading Zone
Jabriya Block 9 Street 6 House 13 (Side Basement Entrance)

We work in a relaxed environment so we suggest you dress comfortably.  Class project was created  and will be led by Lubna and with support by Bettina.

Miyuki | Haiku Celebration Monday January 9th at Shaab

In the 1940's which was considered the Showa Period in Japan, seed beads were being made and in 1949 on the island of Hiroshima, Miyuki Shoji of Japan was established.  The world of ornamentation, embellishing, off loom and on loom beading has never been the same.  They consider the making of bead a fusion of artistry, hand crafting and technology.  Creating new shapes such as the world renowned Delica Beads and Tila Beads has changed the face of how we are creating beaded objects to treasure and to transcend the times and to resonate. 

Miyuki's New Galvanised Seed Beads in Size 11/0

As a child all the way in the US I was taught Haiku Poetry as a concept that came from Japan and it has different constructs from Japanese to English yet still holds the same depth and accessibility to approach.  Haiku tends to use nature and seasonality to evoke moods and moments of reflection that are quite symbiotic to the contemplative practice of beading.  In the English version of Haiku, one will have a total of 17 syllables so to speak broken into three lines whereby the first line consists of 5 syllables, the second line of 7 syllables and the last line of the poem is 5 syllables. 

Here is one of the most famous Haiku poems in Japanese by Matsuo Basho " The Old Pond" and then transliterated:

Furuike ya
kawazu tobikomu
mizu no oto

An old silent pond...
A frog jumps into the pond,
splash! Silence again.

Translated by Harry Behn

So, we would like to invite you to contribute your hand at Haiku poetry, we will be showcasing the poetry amidst the beauty and new range of our Miyuki beads as they feed our desires for beauty and poetry.  Themes of nature, seasonality, moods and colors can be your starting point. It can be in English, Japanese or any language as long as it fits the syllable construct.  You can email your Haiku poem to info@lbojzazz.com and it will be showcased in the shop during this month as we celebrate life, beads, Haiku and Miyuki. 

In addition, for our Miyuki passionistas we will be celebrating the whole new range with over 72 new beads ranging from Delicas, Magatamas, Seed Beads and Bugle Beads so mark your calendar and please join us for some Japanese Tea, Edamame, Japanese Music, Haiku and the breathtaking beauty and luster of  Miyuki Beads.

Date:  Monday January 9th
Time:  6:00 PM- 9:30 PM
Venue:  LB o J'zazz Shaab el Bahry
Block 8 Mohammed Darwish Al Aradi Street (formerly Ibn el Khatib)
Shopping Complex adjacent to Executive Flex


For more information you can also contact us at the shop at 2261-0686.

Fly My Butterfly

It's a time like this that a hand-made item made with love can never be replaced by anything purchased.  For my 18 year old daughters' Prom night I wanted to make jewelry she would cherish and which would hold many emotions and feelings starting from the hands that made them to special moments spent that evening with her friends.

Starting off, I thought to make her a necklace that would be elaborate and striking.  Her request was miles off the mind track I was on! 

"Mommy make me something elegent and simple.  I don't want a necklace, only a bracelet".  Talk about throwing me totally off track! 

Frankly, I must say I thought about it for 2 weeks.  Looked through magazines in hopes of getting inspired.  Three days before Prom, it dawned to me what materials I would use for the earrings first.  A Swarovski Rivoli I purchased years ago from one of my trips to the United States would be the focal.  Thanks to Laura Macabe class, I decided to implement the circular Peyote technique around to frame and encase the Rivoli. 

As my daughters' request was for the color blue, I decided to introduce two different blues, sky blue and torquoise seed beads. For an accent color I used dark topaz AB seed beads at the inner most frame circling the Rivoli.  When that was done, I strategically introduced Swarovski crystal pearls, bicones, and butterfly beads in order to give warmth, softness, youthfulness and character to the earrings. 

Thankfully, after showing my daughter the first earring I got her blessings and went straight ahead to complete the second.

"Fly My Butterfly" earrings was born.

Drawing a complete blank the next day, I decided to approach it the way I always have and just create as I go along.  I laugh as I recall my little bracelet journey only because I ended up learning something new myself. Naively I thought I would be able to finish a bracelet faster if I used wirework rather than off-loom.  Ha! The joke was on me.  But I must say, I like the outcome.  A complete row of wirework with butterflies. So delicate and liberating just like the feeling a young person has when graduating.  Perfect.

As more color and softness was needed, I decided to string 2 rows of crystals;  one crystal pearls and the other  row bicone crystals.  All strung and connected to a 3-loop sliding clasp, I made the deadline and was extremely pleased.  Most importantly, my most important and precious client was pleased too. 

The past 11 years of beading all came down to this one critical moment- making something with my own 2 hands for my daughter to compliment her beauty on this special day in her life.  Allah ya7fetha.

Fly My Butterfly...

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)

Czech Seed Beads Interpreted

Czech seed beads come in six loop hanks

The nomenclature "seed beads" came from the ancient practice of putting holes in seeds and stringing to create jewelry.  Today, "seed beads" connotes and encompasses a wide range of shapes and sizes of small glass beads beginning with antique beads anywhere from the smallest size of 24 all the way to size 2. These sizes are considered "aught" whereby the higher the number the smaller the bead.  However, the most utilized sizes are size 15, 11 and 8.  The size 11 is the most popular size employed today globally. These beads were crafted by very capable artisans who would take a huge glob of molten glass, then a punty would be applied on one side and two men would proceed to pull the glass.  This was no easy feat especially when micro beads were being made. 

Today certain types of machinery are employed but the hand making process still plays an important role.  Many avid collectors have stashes of beads that are no longer made and have lusters, finishes and colors that will not be found again.  We are constantly on the lookout for older vintage or antique beads.  Vintage is usually seed beads manufactured twenty five years ago or more.  So, if you have some old beads tucked away in a box you can incorporate them in special one off pieces. 

At LB o J'zazz there is an ample selection of Czech Seed Beads in size 11, 8 and the special 1-Cut Charlottes in Size 13.  We will also be introducing new colors and palettes soon.  You will recognize them as they are packaged and displayed in six loop hanks.  The total weights of each color vary due to the special finishes, dyes and lusters that are used. 

Bead embroidered piece by Lubna using Czech seed beads

LB o J'zazz artisans Bettina and Lubna extensively use Czech seed beads for their huge variety, limited colors and crafty feel.  They work particularly well in bead embroidery and off loom weaving such as spiral stitch amongst many others.  So pass by LB o J'zazz and explore all things Czech. 

The Czechs Are In The LB o J'zazz House

Glass Cabochon in  process by Master Jindrich

Handmade Cabochons by Master Jindrich

Eastern Europe and in particular the Bohemian Region within the Czech Republic has been renowned for hundreds of years to be high quality producers of glass beads reaching as far as Africa, South America and the Far East.  What differentiates this sector in this region is that it truly is a cottage industry.  Despite serious attempts during the period of Communism to nationalize and force consolidations and the mass production approach of the  post-Glasnost era, the cottage industry still remains and luckily is being maintained due to global demand.

Mucha's Flowers bracelet in pastels of Czech bicones

We began  our offerings last year, with our extensive range of Bohemian Machine Cut Crystals in bicones, drops and spacers.  More items were added with our handcrafted Cabochons, farfalles, peacock beads and pressed glass.  Now, we are very excited to offer a new range in seed beads in various finishes and sizes.

Size 13 Charlottes

The first unique type of bead is our range in Size 13 Charlottes.  These beads are created by beginning with long tubes of glass that are cut in a round shape and then given a 1-Cut edge that creates a glimmer effect and is also called True cuts.  When used in combination with other beads they provide a vintage feel to beaded objects.  The beads come in 6 string hanks and the weights vary depending on finishes.


The most popular seed bead size is 11 and are available in various finishes such as AB, Luster, Matte AB, Silver Lined, Copper Lined, Ceylon and Standard classic finishes. What makes Czech beads an essential addition to your bead stash is that some colors are never made again, in addition to their crafty feel as the shapes are rounder.  Czech size 11s are slightly smaller than what you will experience in Japanese ranges.

This piece made by Lubna exclusively employs Czech seed beads

So feel free to come by and ask us for all things Czech for they are truly great finds and are great values for avid beaders and beginners alike.

Store Hours

Saturdays-Thursdays 

9:30AM - 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM-9:30 PM

Store Address

Shaab el Bahry

Block 8 Ibn el Khatib Street Shop 4

Adjacent to the New Executive Flex

 2261-0686

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.

 

Fossil Paths Beaded Collar Finalist in Bead Museum 1st International Juried Competition

The Bead Museum in Washington, DC is home to one of the most comprehensive exhibits and collections of beads on the planet. Located downtown on 7th Street it is also the abode to the Greater Washington Bead Society. In 2008, The Bead Museum initiated its first International Juried Competition covering twelve separate media categories. The jurors were Mixed Media Artist Joyce J. Scott, Lampwork pioneer Kate Fowle Melaney, Polymer Clay Master Grant Diffendafer, Quilter Laura Cater-Woods and Ricki Pelzman.

Over 443 artists from fourteen countries and forty states within the US took part in this endeavor. I decided it was high time to put out some of my work to see how jurors and peers would gauge the one of a kind objects. We were requested to get high resolution images sent and the category I entered two pieces in was: Seed Beads. Two beaded collars from the series were submitted: Medusa in Beige and Fossil Paths.

In May of 2008, I received a letter that Fossil Paths was chosen as a Finalist and to ship the original piece to the Bead Museum for the final showing. With only three days left to qualify for the jury selection, we had to send the original piece all the way to DC. Luckily, we made the deadline and the piece shown in the image above was chosen as a finalist. The event was highlighted on September 20th, 2008 in the 3rd Annual Passion for Beads Gala Dinner honoring the artists who had participated. Another intra-cultural dialogue that we continue to be a part of.

The process was exciting in itself, assembling a 400 million year old fossil (Ortheceras) found in Morocco as the focal point, vintage seed beads from the Czech Republic, silver bead caps from Bali and Japanese magatama beads ( the drop beads edging the piece) and a customized clasp connection all in the peyote stitch technique and fringing here, in a quiet basement studio tucked away in a neighborhood in Kuwait to enter an international competition for the first time and then to be recognized and celebrated by an accomplished jury of artists in itself was truly an experience to remember.

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.