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)

Let's Meet and Bead This Friday May 6

Detail of Mucha's Nouveau Flowers II | Photo by Maryam Al Rashed

We had a phenomenal turnout of LB o J'zazzers this past Saturday as we raised the bar and participants worked on their Fab Cabs.  Mark your calendar for this Friday May 6 as we gather to Meet and Bead.  You will be able to bring new projects, complete the ones you've been meaning to complete and see what other fellow beaders have been up to.  You will also be able to purchase any beading essential goodies you were not able to get during the week.  In addition to getting a preview of what we will be offering in terms of upcoming events and classes.
We have another treat as the weather turns warmer you will be greeted with a cool bowl of Lubna's Avocado Gazpacho Soup along with other refreshing beverages.  Bettina and I hope to see you then.

Date:  Friday May 6
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Venue:  Jabriya Block 9 Street 6 House 13 (Side Basement Entrance)

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. 

Introduction To Bead Embroidery 101: Fab Cab in Peyote

Master Jindrich in his glass studio

We will be introducing some of our new cabochons by the great master Jindrich along with some kits that have our selection that Bettina and I chose while visiting him in his studio and home in the Czech Republic.
Today, there are a handful of artisans who are still committed to this craft and soon it will be very hard to find these beautiful cabochons that have been made one focal bead at a time for the last two hundred years. 

Some of the beautiful cabs that will be used in the Fab Cab Ring

The Fab Cab Ring is an introduction to Bead Embroidery basics along with Circular Peyote.  You will learn how to work with the cabochons and foundation material and how to manipulate the surface with Bead Embroidery and embellishing.

Date:  April 30, 2011 Saturday
Time:  9:30 AM- 1:30 PM
Venue: LB o J'zazz Workshop Studio
               Jabriya Block 9 Street 6 House 13 (Side Basement Entrance)

Level: Foundational

We will be posting fresh images of the sample shortly.  For more information on class details, materials and tools list along with class fees kindly send an email to info@lbojzazz.com or contact the LB o J'zazz shop at 2261-0686.  You will be able to register and select your kit at the shop by Thursday April 21. 

Mucha's Flowers Bracelet Class Saturday April 16

Building on the addictive passion of classes in Right Angle Weave, we are bringing back one of our popular projects that re-creates the dreamy Art Nouveau palettes of Alphonse Mucha that we see in his poster and menu designs.  Flowers played a big role in Mucha's work who was originally from Moravia and is evoked in these Spring and Summer hues that we have recreated.  He used fresh but delicate colors in his illustrations that can be seen all over Europe especially France and the Czech Republic. 
However, as Bettina and I strive to perfect our projects, this design has been modified with the use of special Japanese and Czech drops that have enhance the outcome and wearability of the bracelet. You will also learn a simple technique to customize your Precious Metal Clasp so that it becomes more unified with the design. So the output is going to be a bit of a surprise for those who will take the class. 

Date:  April 16 Saturday
Time:  9:30 AM- 1:00 PM
Technique:  RAW* (Right Angle Weave)
Level:  Foundational
Venue:  Jabriya Block 9 Street 6
                       House 13 (Side Basement Entrance)

For more information on class description, materials, tools required and class fees just send us an email at info@lbojzazz.com or contact the shop at 2261-0686.

I Finally Got The Bag !

I have a sibling Lail who would not be caught dead without carrying a branded bag and has taken the search for them to new heights.  It's very interesting how siblings operating systems can be so different.  On the other hand, I long for artisanal bags, ethnic and locally made using locally sourced materials that is why I do not possess many because they are so hard to find.  Well now, for the first time I can carry a bag and say this was made, designed and executed by a local artist in Kuwait..... Yes, the proud, the few who has a Madhawi Bint Yagout Clutch.

The Clutch and embellished dangles

 A few weeks back at our March Meet and Bead Madhawi pulled out a prototype.  The bag is a result of the local tradition of basket  and mat weaving (khoos and zabeel containers ) that Madhawi's late father had taught her and her siblings how to master. So, she took the weavings of her brother, constructed them and combined them with her signature crochet in beautiful Turkish Cotton Thread  and that was  what spurred the request for two bags to be made one for my sister in law Mona which would be a beach bag in bright summery hues and a bag for me.  I have never been so delighted with the combination of the traditional weaving textures along with her ability to construct and mold the weaves.

Two other shapes and designs

The bags were so popular at our Meet & Bead that we will soon be carrying samples at the LB o J'zazz store in Shaab the bags will be available by special order.  If you are interested just send us an email at info@lbojzazz.com. These are truly unique and also come with high finishing as Madhawi has also lined the bags with lovely fabrics and little details such as inner pockets in crochet that truly make a difference. Madhawi also teaches crochet, paints, sews, weaves, beads and is a classical pianist by training!

The beautiful fringe focal point all worked by hand

Karkoosha Designs by Madhawi Bint Yagout

Back By Popular Demand: Moorish Mashrabiya Earrings In RAW* Tuesday April 5

This class is a Limited Kit Series as we are offering 5 kits at this time.  Hopefully,  soon we will have a new array of delectable Czech Firepolished Beads as more classes in RAW* (Right Angle Weave) come you your way. 

In this session you will master the single needle Right-angle Weave (RAW) using shimmering Czech Fire Polished beads and lead-free crystal bicones.  This romantic interpretation of Arab geometry is a beautiful addition to the up-coming fall season.  To accentuate this piece further, you will also learn to incorporate different elemental glass beads such as the  pressed glass daggers.

Kindly note that this class is an excellent pre-requisite for more of the intermediate and advance classes in this technique.  

Date: Tuesday April 5

Time: 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM

Venue:  Jabriya Block 9 Street 6 Villa 13 (Side Basement Entrance)

There are major infrastructure works taking place in Block 9 so bear with us as you may have to deal with blocked access and other interesting contraptions along the way. On behalf of the Ministry of Public Works we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  

If you are not already on our mailing list and would like to receive class and new product information, please send an email request to info@lbojzazz.com and look forward to offering you the ultimate beading experience.

Fresh Impressions of LB o J'zazz 2011 Earth Hour

Chaminda this morning dusting, dusting and then more dusting

This morning Chaminda and I started setting up for our special evening in honor of Mother Earth.  Due to the crazy and wild sand storm we had a lot of dust to contend with and candles to lay out. The pictures are grainy as the light was dim and I did my best not to use a flash so that the images are relevant to "Lights Out".

Repurposed paper made into our Special Promotion for the evening

As the lighting got dimmer early in the evening I started working on our special incentives for Earth Hour.  Using some of used brown packing paper and some markers made our own in-house coupons.

Maryam and Chaminda as they start lighting the candle

We had such an incredible evening, and by the time Chaminda and I were done and home it was almost midnight.  What made this so memorable were our guests who came to be part of Earth Hour, they lit candles and hung out as we began our countdown and with the intention of what each and everyone of us will do beyond the 60+. 

Our Tree Of Life's Shadow and the flickering flames

Music, homebrewed organic coffee and hot cider along with goodies from our neighbors Divine and a candle lit evening I can say that we are more than ready to have get togethers at the shop with wonderful friends and guests that we always seem to get.

Lights were out in our shop and Divine. The rest of the area was bright as usual

There was a lot of energy in our shopping complex due to our activities and hopefully by 2012, the whole complex and Kuwait will turn their lights and switch to candles for Earth Hour with a long term commitment to what really matters: the quality of our life with some wisdom on how we utilize our resources, waste management and the status of water. 

April Meet & Bead This Coming Friday*

For the record I've never been an April Fool's fan, nor Valentines afficianado at that rate, because the spontaneity for a good laugh and true love should not be programmed. So, we are having our regular Meet & Bead on the first Friday of every month which just happens to be this April 1st. 
New guests and friends are more than welcome to join, as we share our passion and get to bead with you in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.  So bring any projects from previous classes that you would like to complete.  Both Bettina and I will be available to assist you.  I'm also working on new summer beverages to offer you as the weather gets warmer.  At this time vivid, ruby ice cold Aswani Karkade (hibiscus flowers) sounds nice.

Hanan showing off her creations in our last Meet & Bead

Date:  Friday April 1
Time:  6:00 PM- 9:00 PM
Venue:  LB o J'zazz Jabriya Workshop
             Block 9 Street 6 Villa 13 (Side Basement Entrance)

Please note that there are major road works and the area looks like we are under siege, so we apologize for the inconvenience and suggest you park in the open area and not on the main street until things settle down.

Two Good Reasons Why We Will Not Be Offering A Class This Saturday March 26

Living and working in Jabriya has always been great.  Since, for several years heading to the office meant simply opening a door where I resided and walking down a few steps and that was all the transportation and time it took.  It was such a liberating and effective mode of living and working.  

Beading in our office. Photo by Laura Boushnak

Now, after marriage, luckily my new abode is just a few houses down and on a good day, walking is my mode of travel.  Unfortunately, Bettina does not have that luxury except for beading and getting to our beautiful little lamp working glass studio whenever she feels like it which is also located in her domicile.  However, in the past few weeks just getting out of my house was like being in a ship, our side street garden was sawed off at right angles and we had a gangplank that would precariously take you over a three meter deep ditch and onto the mercilessly ripped up road, street or something that resembled a road once in recent memory.  I have to say that whoever the contractor is they spent a lot of money on access and safety so this must be a hefty contract. 
Back to the reasons why we will not be offering a class this Saturday, the first reason is that we have this crane that has taken our house and office hostage as you can see below. 

This is what  greeted me this morning and a few gangplanks providing various access ways.  It looks like we are under siege or protection who knows? 

View from outside LB o J'zazz office

In addition, preparations are underway for our Earth Hour 60+ Party at our  LB o J'zazz store location which is to take place on the same day. 
So, we'd love to see you this Saturday at LB o J'zazz in Shaab el Bahry and hopefully by our next class and our upcoming Meet & Bead in April the crane will have moseyed along and  taken someone else's street by surprise.