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

New Class: NIRVANA Pendant Saturday February 23

Before | After NIRVANA Pendant

Many times I will create a component in particular closures for my bead embroidered collars.  In this case, a Swarovski 27mm Rivoli Button in Crystal AB was used.  The pendant was just stunning however, for over a year the project was not complete due to the closure overwhelming the piece.
So, on one of our monthly Meet & Beads Najat and I were looking at the beaded collar and we both agreed it was just not working.  So, setting my beading ego aside, I took the scissors and cut it from the collar.  The NIRVANA pendant was born from that moment on and liberated.  It was such a life affirming powerful piece she just had to be showcased and stand alone.
It is a large fancy stone that shimmers and reflects the colors of the various beads encasing the Rivoli in circular peyote employing Delicas.  Layers and layers are added for embellishing and showcasing the piece employing beads as small as size 15, exquisitely shaped Magatamas and lastly 5mm Czech Bicones that actually elevate the piece so that the pointy part of the Rivoli does not poke.

Interchangeable applications cuff, pin or pendant

The pendant can then easily be converted into a brooch, a bracelet, a component, a necklace with some leather, suede, hand dyed silk ribbon or off loom weaving, it is very beautiful on the wrist.
Each kit is a NIRVANA of it's own, not one kit is alike and is a limited kit series at this time.  There are six kits to choose from.

Date:  February 23, 2013
Time: 9:30am- 2:00pm
Technique:  Circular Peyote -Bezeling / Embellishing
Level:  Intermediate (should be comfortable with flat even count Peyote)
Venue:  LB o J'zazz Beading Zone
            Jabriya Block 9
            Street 6 House 13 (Side Basement Entrance)

The kits will be available at the Shaab Al Bahry shop from Tuesday morning onward for pre-registration whereby, a deposit is required once you reserve your kit.  For more information on class materials, fees and other details you can go to  http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=960aae156d11fbb85189284e3&id=caa1a71f48

LB o J'zazz 

Shaab Al Bahry

Mohammad Darwish Al Aradi Street

Mujama Al Shaab adjacent to Executive Flex and nearby Costa Del Sol

(Store 4) Telephone:  2261-0686

Exhibition| REFLECTIONS by Najat | Thursday October 11

A sneak preview of REFLECTIONS by Najat

Back in the snowy winter of 1991 whilst training at Fort Dix, New Jersey as a volunteer attached to the 199th JAG, we were a small yet determined group of young women from Kuwait eager to be part of the healing, rebuilding and revitalization of our homeland.  Two of us were assigned to the project initially, a seriously intelligent post graduate student by the name of Najat Hussein and myself.  It was an intense two week training and we graduated on the day of liberation.
We worked together for a few months and lost contact shortly thereafter.  Whenever interviews were conducted I made sure to list all the names of the nine ladies who were the first in our modern history to wear a military uniform and serve on a voluntary basis.  I always wondered about Najat and hoped to reconnect.
Well, twenty years later on a spring evening we were preparing for our Venetian Nights evening highlighting the collection of handmade glass focal beads Bettina had discovered in the old cities of Venice, Murano and Burano, as I was stepping out of my car in front of our little gem of a shop an amicable lady with a smile was waiting outside for a friend to attend our event.  Immediately recognizing Najat it was a poignant reunion of sorts and a new connection and friendship ensued.

Two of Najat's REFLECTIONS | Encased in Circular Peyote

Through our subsequent Meet and Beads, her visits to the shop and classes, Bettina and I discovered a painter, a sewer, an Economics Professor and so much more creative energy along with being a committed mother of four unique and vibrant children.  One Meet and Bead evening, Najat opened a huge box with treasures and little sculptural surprises.  It was a magical gathering and we both agreed that these special pieces needed to be celebrated, viewed and shared.  Besides the fact that we wanted to get our hands on at least a few of these extraordinary cabochons to include in our own work!  Please join us as we celebrate another unique creative voice in our midst. 

Najat amidst three of her four children

Date:  Thursday October 11 and Saturday October 13

Time:  9:30AM - 1:00PM and 5:00PM-9:30PM

Venue:  LB o J'zazz Shaab Al Bahry

 Block 8 Mohammed Darwish Al Aradi Street ( Street 90)

Shaab Complex Ground Floor (Near Executive Flex and behind Costa Del Sol Hotel)

REFLECTIONS cabochons will be available for purchase and we are KNET friendly.  For more information you can contact us at 2261-0686. 

Fusion Series: Tarachi Bint Yagout by Madhawi Saturday July 7

A debut and a new direction for us at LB o J'zazz as we launch our Guest Teacher Program this summer.  Bettina and I wanted to bring new ideas, talent and focus on projects that was a fusion of techniques and incorporating creatively the wide selection of beads, findings and what nots we have on offer at LB o J'zazz  that are familiar and not so familiar.

Beautiful Turkish Cottons selected for the class

We debut with none other than the multi-talented and effusive Madhawi Al Yagout of Karkoosha Bint Yagout Creations. Ever since we met Madhawi three years ago, things have never really been the same at the shop and at a personal level.  Madhawi, an accomplished teacher of Classical Piano at the Higher Institute of Music Studies, painter, tailor, maker of hand bags, crochet master and lastly beader has many talents that we all have yet to discover.

Madhawi at play with her palettes on our kitting day last week

Her sense of colors and patterns are bold and confident.  Whenever she attends our classes, I ask her:  "Madhawi, which kit and colorway do you want to select today?" she answers brightly : " I love all colors, there is not a color that I do not love!" It is in this vein that she approaches her projects and the outcomes are varied, surprising and quite intelligent.  She takes the mundane and elevates these pieces into something special and unique.
Her positive bubbling energy, talent and outlook infuses her work and her life approach. So, one day as she was visiting me at the office I asked her if she would show me a few tips on crocheting and jumped to get my stash.  It had been years that I had held a crochet needle. In  a mere few minutes she had me doing techniques I never imagined  mastering effortlessly. 
That afternoon when she returned home, she said she was inspired by the session and went on to make the prototype for the earrings.
Here we are a few months later concocting a fusion of bead embroidery, Odd Count Peyote, Fringing and Crochet and her results are quite a surprise.  
You will have no less than six luscious colorways to choose from and this will  be a great basis to explore creating links in crochet with embellishments.  Stay posted as we gear up for this special debut with you, our special beaders in our midst. 

Turkish Cotton Yarn Delights for Tarachi Bint Yagout Class Debut

A few days back as Madhawi has been preparing the kits and samples for her debut class at LB o J'zazz, we went on our excursion to select the main component of beautiful cotton yarns from Turkey that she had introduced me to and I had fallen in love with a while back.
Originally she was thinking about creating four distinct colorways, well as soon as we got to this home based shop of Um Nasser that notion quickly evaporated as we delved and were mesmerized by the array of skeins on display. 

Just seeing all the skeins was a treat!

Madhawi was gracious enough after my eyes were feasting on all this eye-candy to help her select the colorways for the project, that will combine our LB o J'zazz selection of Czech Crystals and Miyuki triangle beads and findings.  So, I started with a whole lot of colors, about fifteen thinking how to narrow them to four and that was very difficult.  Madhawi being the trouper and ever the consummate crafter said we could have more colorways.  So, this is what we came up with, the palettes were to be vibrant and bold and to evoke jewel tones along with bright summer days full of intense floral hues.

Final selection of ALIZE Cotton Yarn for the class

  This morning Madhawi had already created the base in exquisite crochet for all of the six hues!
Now, the next step will be her selection of beads to embellish this amazing set of earrings. Which will be taking place this week. 
Many of the nomenclatures we have in our Kuwaiti dialect derived from other cultures and languages that Kuwaitis dealt and traveled to such as India, Persia and Turkey. 
The word "Tarrachi" indeed came from India and as many Kuwaitis of old were heavily involved in gold smuggling, many of the terms related to adornment and jewelry became a part of our local dialect. 

That morning the crocheting bug bit me again and there was just no way I was going to leave without my own selection for projects with the intention of making beautiful, comforting afghans for friends and loved ones.I can only imagine how yummy and welcoming these yarns will be when created into throws and afghans. 

Final selection for the Afghans

"Tarrachi Bint Yagout" class will debut this June 30 at the LB o J'zazz Beading Zone and is a first in terms of technique and our Guest Teacher.  So, take a look at the palettes and we will be posting the samples soon. 

Yes! We Will Meet & Bead Friday March 2

Iqbal and the group | Watch and tell

 With picture perfect weather and great long weekends Bettina and I are hoping that you have been in your "beading zone" and have been creating concoctions we both can't wait to see.  So, come join us as we celebrate the inherent beauty of beads, beaded adornment and the art of living a life handmade.

For those of you who are curious about beads and the craft and never touched a bead then this is the perfect opportunity to do so and to meet the wonderful, creative and committed beading passionistas who are the makers of beaded adorned objects.
Hot spiced cider, sahlab and one of my famous hot and piping soups await you.  Please feel free to bring your friends and guests also.

ARAM's take on Peyote

Date:  Friday March 2, 2012
Time:  6:00 PM- 9:30 PM
Venue:  LB o J'zazz Zone
Jabriya Block 9 Street 6 House 13 (Side Basement Entrance)

Najat Hussein's Beaded Delights

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

Introducing THREADS our e-newsletter

Vintage Au Provence Earrings

Weaving the story of beads through THREADS  our monthly way of staying connected with our customers and friends. It is an e-newsletter whereby, you can have a quick glance on one page as to all the happenings, new products, specials and tips for wirework, offloom weaving and stringing.  This month, you will be able to peruse the shop for an extensive range of Soft Flex Craft Wires in non-tarnish Copper, Silver and Gold Plated from 18-26 gauges. Plus, we just got in an amazing selection of seed beads that are just stunning and great inspiration for the fall and winter season.  If you would like to receive an e-copy just send us an email at info@lbojzazz.com

LB o J'zazz Shaab El Bahry Shop New Summer Hours

After three months of tedious paperwork, follow-up, paperwork, long and unruly lines while waiting, system shut downs, system chaos, citizen chaos, record high temperatures, new rules and requirements every five minutes, bored and yawning government employees, paperwork, bouts of frustration, going to yet another room another ministry another signature, exasperation and then highlights of elation, of wonderful individuals going out of their way and diligently helping us expedite the newly revised government enhancement processes along the lines of this mythical way of integration called Maikanah..... Bettina and I are done!
On behalf of the LB o J'zazz family, we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused when we were forced to cut our hours to deal with this very critical yet sometimes petty requirement. LB o J'zazz is back full force and we've been busy with new orders, working on bringing your favorite items and new luscious colors, beads, tools, freshwater pearls and much more eye candy along with our LB o J'zazz Bead Kitchen concocting some fun beading and stringing kits for classes and new in-store samples for the summer season.

Starting with our new operating hours for the summer, the team will welcome you on the following days and times:

Sundays-Thursdays:

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m- 9:30 p.m.

Saturdays:

11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

We would also like to thank those government staff, who greeted us with a smile, believed in our efforts as entrepreneurs ( and self employed ladies) and worked diligently and with something called ethics despite the overall disorganization, chaos and apathy we usually face when getting these requirements done.

Where Are We?

Our little shop is easier to find with Google Earth's wonderful aerial images. We are so easy to get to as we are situated between 2 major roads in Kuwait- Fahaheel Expressway (30) and the Arabian Gulf Road. Easy in, easy out.

LB o J'zazz Shop address is:

Shaab El-Bahry

Block 8

Ibn Al-Khatib Street

Shop 4

Landmark buildings around us are Flex Gymnasium for Men (high-rise) and British Institute for Training and Education.

Our shop opening hours are :

Sunday - Thursday

9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

(NOTE: If a class is scheduled on a Saturday, the store is closed as we are busy elsewhere having fun teaching :) The Pro's of owning your own work life!)

Do feel free to pop-in to take a look around. We would be happy to greet and meet you.

Until then,

Google Map Location of LB o J'zazz Shop

Many people have been asking about our Shaab el Bahry location especially after the Student Talk October 09 issue feature " A Day In The Life". So, here is our Google Map location. Simply copy and paste the following address in your browser: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=29.348495,48.029587&spn=0.009371,0.

01929&z=16&msid=110695925832711058607.000475146f1b60e8cb54e

Dreams can come true

Yesterday I decided I had enough waiting at home for my body to kick the germs "--s" out. So off I go to our project-in-progress "SHOP" in Shaab El-Bahri to meet up with Lubna to get a few final touches done. Its the fine details that count. And so, Lubna and i, with a brush in our hands start our hours long "tweaking".

Surprisingly though, while at work we had several car drivers pass by checking us out! :) Hmmm.. as Lubna said, "Checking out the new 9anaeya (craftsmen) flown in from France or Italy painting and decopatching the store".

Along with some live internet radio Jazz music, we managed to finish. Standing back, we realized this is finally coming true. Our dream.. finally is happening :) What a good feeling.

Here are some 'before' pictures. I will post the work done tomorrow.