Upcoming Beading Classes September 28 - October 9

We would like to welcome you all back from Eid celebrations and hope that you are rested, well fed and ready to master some new projects that will surely challenge you, engage you and fulfill the need to bead!  Bettina and I got a chance to revamp some projects, bead some new ones and create new colorways.  Still, we need to guarantee seat availability, ample numbers of kits and times so you are kindly requested to pre-register at our Shaab El Bahry location in advance of the class. This is another reason why we are posting the classes ahead of time, so you can peruse and choose those of interest in addition to planning your own personal schedule with ease.

The first two classes were created and made by Bettina and the subsequent two classes are created and made by Lubna.

Arabesque Earrings
September 28 Tuesday

Technique:  Netting



Inspired by Arabesque designs and geometry, Bettina has come up with a circular design combining seed beads and crystals.  Bettina created this as she was exploring Islamic design and art from the Isfahani tiles during the Holy Month of Ramadan.  Once you master this new netting technique you can create and assemble more elaborate units as the variations and colorways unfold. 
 

Waterflowers Ndebele Bracelet
October 2 Saturday
9:30 AM-2:00 PM
Technique: Tubular Ndebele and Fringing 

This is our first introduction to Ndebele; the famous and resilient Zulu Stitch from South Africa. Bettina has created this delicate piece emulating the shimmery sense of Monet's water flower series. She will be employing color refracting Japanese Triangle beads along with our special Czech Spacers and Japanese drop beads.


Level: All levels

Mashrabiya Earrings
October 5 Tuesday
Time:  5:00PM- 7:00 PM
Technique:  Single Needle Right Angle Weave (RAW)


Inspired by the architecture of the Moors and the geometry of Mashrabiyas that are prevalent and celebrated across the Middle Eastern Region and Spain.  This earring set echoes a poignant reflection of the beauty of the objects of the craftsmen of the period.  This piece combines the rich softness of Czech Firepolished Crystals and Machine Cut Crystals in 3mm along with hand crafted Pressed Glass Daggers.

Mucha's Nouveau Bracelet In RAW*
October 9 Saturday
Time:  9:30 AM- 2:00 PM
Technique:  Single Needle Right Angle Weave (RAW)


Mucha was a pioneer and innovator who triggered the Art Nouveau Movement whilst designing a poster for the great Sarah Bernhardt in the 1800's.  Born in the Czech Republic his style created a romanticism of the feminine form in a garden like setting.   Mucha's stylization, form and use of colors inspired this bracelet. 
A simple yet innovative recipe to create a whimsical and floral style bracelet.  Five luscious garden colorways have been carefully concocted with 5mm and 4mm Czech Crystals.  Inspired by the Art Nouveau's approach to floral motifs you will learn the technique of RAW* (Right Angle Weave) and experiment with patterning and different effects of embellishing.

Just What Is Decopatch?

When many of our local art teachers and hobbyists hear the word "Decopatch" they respond immediately and say: " Aaah yes decoupage!" However, they are quite different in that decoupage is an old technique that flowered in France whereby, table napkins were used by cutting out the designs and gluing them usually onto furniture surfaces and then covering the surface with a varnish. However, it would take several layers of varnishing and sanding so that the napkin material would "melt" on to the surface of the furniture. Decoupage can be frustrating as the napkin tears and is hard to apply and is limited to a certain range of surfaces.

Decopatch on the other hand, can be a scissorless endeavor altogether. It is used in projects for children as young as four and can move onto more sophisticated and advanced applications for professional designers and interior decorators. It is a very thin 20 gsm paper, that is made exclusively in the Decopatch factory in Lyon. The paper has a special coating and UV varnish that makes it moldable, very strong and color fast. The paper can be torn at random yet doesn't fray on the edges and when applied to a surface creates a collage of patterning. Several paper designs or a single paper can be utilised. Combine the paper with the special Glue/Varnish also exclusively manufactured and made for Decopatch paper and the results are truly satisfying.

You can Decopatch practically any surface, from metal, wood, porcelain, paper mache, carboard, plastic and more. It allows you to take objects you already have, create a new color scheme, or a theme in a very short amount of time. Whether you cut out designs or tear the paper, whenever it is applied the results are satisfying. You just can't go wrong with Decopatch.

After a surface of an object is covered you can then embellish it with sequins, decorative stones and a special type of adhesive/Patchliner to accent and highlight certain areas. When Decopatching outdoor furniture, mugs and plates a second water and weather proofing varnish is applied. Your mugs can be placed in the dishwasher and for daily use. It is a great way to upcyle and redorate your life and space in a very immediate and easy method. No Decopatch paper ever goes to waste as long as you have a surface to embellish and decorate.

2009 Decopatch Collection coming your way in May!

For all you Decopatch afficianadoes, Bettina and I have carefully hand selected all the Decopatch papers to cover and create new surfaces. We are bringing back your favorite paper designs and some of the freshest and creative in the selection covering a wider range.

New molds, the menagerie of animals to Decopatch is varied and getting larger too! It's a great way to kick off the summer season while creating activities for home designing or group activities for you and the family. The new collection will be found at our new outlet in Shaab el Bahry mid-May and we will keep you posted. We welcome all of you Decopatchers to send us images of your work as we would like to share and show off all the creative projects of yours too!

On an interior enhancement note- we personalized our new shop by Decopatching our electrical outlets and the aircondition grille make sure you come by and see us.