N'debele Shifts Bracelet Class; Revisited This Saturday November 17

It seems that the most resonating and simple designs from my side of the teaching repertoire are in demand for us to bring back to the LB o J'zazz Zone.  Last week we brought back the FAB Cab Ring and this coming Saturday we will be reintroducing you to another favorite of our students and mine N'debele Shifts Bracelet.  Part of the Rope Explorations Series.

A melange of our students N'debele Shifts Bracelets

An age old technique rediscovered N'debele is an off loom weaving stitch that has sustained and evolved over hundreds of years in the heart of the Zulu region in South Africa.  A bold geometric and identifiable patterning, and the committed work of Zulu crafters has led to a revival and global recognition amongst makers that N'debele is here to stay.
A rich sampling of Czech seed beads in Size 8/0, Miyuki galvanized beads, light refracting triangle beads add to the melange of transitions and shifts you will make. You will learn how to create a rope in tubular form and build up a pattern, in addition to creating visual stops with transitions from seed beads to Crystal Pearls and Murano lamp-worked glass in this simple yet rich bracelet design.  A new yet easy snap closure solution will create a seamless ending for your final piece.

Date:  Saturday November 17,2012
Time:  9:30am-2:00pm
Technique:  Tubular N'debele / Herringbone Stitch (Off loom weaving)
Skill Level:  Beginners / Foundational 
Venue:  LB o J'zazz Beading Zone
Block 9 Street 6 House 13 (Side Basement Entrance) 

Object made and created by Lubna.

Four colorway custom designed kits will be available for you to select and pre-register at our Shaab Al Bahry location this  

Monday November 12,2012 | We gladly welcome KNET purchases

Shop hours are Saturdays-Thursdays 9:30am-1:00pm and 5:00pm-9:30pm.
  

For more information on class fees, materials and tools needed for the class you can go to http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=960aae156d11fbb85189284e3&id=544ea4d7ec  either send us an email to info@lbojzazz.com or contact us at 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. 

Honoring Desert Rose Saturday



Desert Rose II





As the season is changing and life is revived with cooler temperatures and refreshing breeze, time has come to revive our popular Desert Rose bracelet with a 2012 variation.  This resilient design reflects the very nature of the Andenium plant native to the Middle East and found mainly in Yemen with its formidable presence and flowering branches.

We take you on this journey of creation with 2 needles each in a hand doing the Cross Stitch forming this precious bracelet. On the sides of this piece you will experience subtle winding through brilliant crystal bicone beads and seed beads to incorporate Japanese drop beads along with our exclusive collection of specially coated Spacers which we cherish. 

The workshop will be:

Level:  Advanced Beginner
Date:   Saturday Oct. 13, 2012
Time:   9:30 am- 3:00 p.m
Venue:  Jabriya, Block 9, Street #6, Villa 13 (Side Basement Entrance)

You will need to bring along the following materials/tools:

• Bead mat
• Beading tray
• Scissors
• Chain Nose Pliers/ Bent Nose Pliers

If you do not have these items, you can find them at our shop in Shaab Al-Bahry:

Al-Shaab Complex
Block 8
Mohammed Darwish Al-Aradi
Shop #4
Kuwait

We will have 3 different colorways to choose from.  Should you wish to join us, please pre-register with us by visiting our shop, calling us at 22610686 or emailing us at info@lbojzazz.com.

Please come dressed comfortably prepared to relax and experience something new and different. We will be offering light snacks with tea/coffee breaks.  You are most welcome.

Intro to Odd Count Peyote: The Stackables Class

Three separate rings | Stacked

Many bead weavers go through a very long time working in peyote without ever experiencing Odd Count Peyote.  For the simple reason that you have to perfect what many call the "funny turn", and which I have recently called the "Double U Turn".  However, Odd Count Peyote is very important in that it allows you to create a piece that is ideal for rings and bracelets especially with patterns and designs. 
In this case, you will be creating a ring that is seven beads wide and will learn to quickly add rows to your base.  We will be using the beautiful Size 11 Delicas from our Miyuki range and you will have enough material to create two distinctly different rings.  You can make a whole range of these Stackables and then mix and match them according to your mood and palette. 
This class is definitely an ideal introduction for those of you who are taking the Tarachi Bint Yagout Earrings Class this coming Saturday September 29.  As we will be creating a link with the triangle beads in odd count peyote. 

The kits are currently available at the shop for registration and pre-selection.  

Date:  September 25 Tuesday
Time:  10:00am- 12:30pm
Technique:  Odd Count Peyote
Level:  Beginners / Foundational
Venue:  LB o J'zazz Beading Zone
Jabriya Block 9 Street 6 House 13 ( Side Basement Entrance) 
Created and led by:  Lubna with support by Bettina 

For more information you can send us an email at info@lbojzazz.com or contact us at 2261-0686.

The shop opening hours are 

Saturdays -Thursdays

9:30am-1:00pm and 5:00pm-9:30pm

NOTE:  The class will also be offered on Wednesday, September 26 in the evening. 

Kashmiri Dreams Choker Class Rescheduled to this Saturday September 15

Essence of Kashmir Collection | Choker

Many people have wonderful opportunities to experience travel in the physical sense exploring peoples, tastes, senses, landscapes and cultures.  Sometimes though, we get to travel to imaginary destinations through our readings, books, images, museums and programs such as documentaries and television.  In this case, Bettina has always had a fascination with the lands and people of Kashmir.  It began with her Kashmiri Dreams Bracelet and has continued and articulated itself through visits to special collections, looking at textiles and fabrics and images. 
A visit to a museum in Dubai along with a photograph that a colleague had sent her triggered the expression that has culminated in a collection called "The Essence Of Kashmir" and this Kashmiri Choker in single drop peyote and with special findings and embellishing.  What is beautiful about this journey is the intercultural and intra-cultural conversations that ensue from utilizing the exquisite Magatama beads of Miyuki that echo the ever popular paisley motif which symbolizes life and abundance amongst other meanings. 
You will learn to incorporate stringing with off loom weaving in a simple yet rich design and can be explored in different modes once you master this project.
Come join us this Saturday as we take a trip to the verdant and powerful landscapes and culture of Kashmir. There will be two colorways that you can choose from and you can pre-register at the shop until Thursday evening.  For more information you can contact the shop at 2261-0686 or visit https://us1.admin.mailchimp.com/campaigns/show?id=2763061

Date:  September 15, 2012
Time:  9:30am- 1:30pm
Technique:  Peyote, Embellishing, Fringing and Stringing
Level:  All Levels / Foundational 
Venue:  LB o J'zazz Beading Zone
Jabriya Block 9 Street 6 House 13 (Side Basement Entrance)

 

Bead Soup, Real Soup As We Meet and Bead This September 7

Bettina and Madhawi perfecting the craft

Summer is winding down, families are gearing up for school, heading back to work after the summer and Eid holidays as the cultural season is underway.  For us at LB o J'zazz this has been the time to reconnect with old friends, create new and meaningful experiences with new faces and wish safe and vivifying journeys to those who are moving to new abodes geographically, career wise or via life calling shifts.
So, we would like to welcome the tribe of makers back as you seek inspiration, support and engaging company.  You can bring projects you are currently working on, ideas and samples of your creations.  Bring a friend or new guest along as we expand our tapestry of connections, all are welcome.  We will have our beverage concoctions along with one of Lubna's homemade soups to imbibe and revive as we Meet and Bead.

Hanan's Spiky Cuff In Rainbow

Bettina's Bead soup for Toscana Earrings in Dutch Spiral

Date:  Friday September 7, 2012
Time:  6:00pm- 9:30pm
Venue:  LB o J'zazz Beading Zone
Jabriya Block 9 Street 6 (Side Basement Entrance)

Beady Spines Class: RAW* This Saturday August 25

This Saturday we  have come up with an adorned piece it is what I call a 'Two In One". Once completed, you can wrap around this undulating rope on your wrist or wear as a necklace.  As you showcase  this deceivingly simple piece it appears to be seamless and infinite due to a very new way of creating an almost invisible closure.

Source of my inspiration for Beady Spines Rope

It has a supple fabric like feel that drapes wonderfully.  I usually have books on nature, Jack Cousteau and illustrations of wildlife nearby whenever looking for inspiration.  In this case, the piece was already in my head, yet as the second layer of Right Angle Weave was being added and I folded the piece in a tube, the image of the octopus tentacles slinking across the ocean floor came to mind. The spiny dots were always one of my favorite patterns and never ceased to be incorporated in my designs.
There are four kits available each is unique and will be working with rich hues and finishes in  Czech seed beads as the base and will then be layering in our new Czech Crystal Pearls and Miyuki Galvanized Seed Beads.

Date:  Saturday August 25, 2012
Time:  9:30am- 1:30pm
Technique: RAW* (Right Angle Weave)/ Layering -Embellishing
Level: Foundational / Advanced Beginners
Venue:  LB o J'zazz Beading Zone
Jabriya Block 9 Street 6 House 13 ( Side Basement Entrance)

For more information you can send us an email at info@lbojzazz.com or go to http://eepurl.com/oKzTL or call the shop at 2261-0686.  Should you want to reserve your kit in advance you can visit the shop by this Thursday evening with a deposit at Shaab Al Bahry Block 8 Mohammed Al Aradi Street Shaab Complex Ground Floor Store #4.  We are KNET friendly.

Tri Links Choker Class This Saturday August 18

Tri Links In Gold Hammertone from last season's palette

We have brought back this class by request of many of our regular beaders and off loom weaving passionistas.  In addition, as friends are moving to new adventures and experiences, we thought this would be a great  way to get everyone for a gathering before Eid and to bid some of our dear friends a good journey and move while we learn to create and make. 

This Saturday in our regular class series, a new lighter and more delicate design will pave the way for sunny days and fall evenings.  This idea came to me, as I imagined what kind of jewelry one would one wear on an island in the Mediterranean and this is what came to fruition.  

Combining two ancient off loom weaving techniques and allowing the links to become the focal points with the Native American Peyote stitch and the Spiral Stitch of the Zulus coming together in a new interpretation of the past with our Tierracast Hammertone Black and Brass Oxide as the focal points.  Accenting the circularity of the links, the closure is a  subtle contrast.  The design has yet again been modified whereby, we will be exploring the beauty of the Spiral Stitch employing our collection of wonderful hues in the Miyuki Bugle Beads range.

Participants are also going to experiment with how threads can change and alter the colorways of a piece and how to enhance this feature along with experimenting of color blending of beads to create a subtle but rich palette. 

Date:  August 18, Saturday

Time:  11:00 AM- 3:00 PM

Technique:  Peyote / Zulu Spiral Stitch

Level:  Advanced Beginners (Comfortable with peyote and spiral stitch)

Kits will be available for reservation and advance registration at the shop this Tuesday evening after Iftar time.  For more information you can contact the shop from 4pm-Midnight daily for the remaining portion of Ramadan at 2261-0686 or send us an email at info@lbojzazz.com.  For class description, fees and materials list you can also go to http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=960aae156d11fbb85189284e3&id=e391e70e21e c

This class will be led by Lubna with the technical and creative support of Bettina.

Slow Saturdays Down and Join Us Tomorrow In Our Beady Spines Class in RAW*

If you have already tired out of hanging out at the malls before breaking your fast and want to relax but have the hours pass by effortlessly then this is the perfect activity this Saturday.  Tomorrow we have come up with an adorned piece that is what I call a 'Two In One". Once completed you can wrap around this undulating rope around your wrist or wear as a necklace. 
It has a supple fabric like feel that drapes wonderfully.  I usually have books on nature, Jack Cousteau and illustrations of wildlife nearby whenever looking for inspiration.  In this case, the piece was already in my head, yet as the second layer of Right Angle Weave was being added and I folded the piece in a tube, the image of the octopus tentacles slinking across the ocean floor came to mind. 
There are four kits available each is unique and will be working with rich hues and finishes in the Czech seed beads as the base and will then be layering in our new Czech Crystal Pearls and Miyuki Galvanized Seed Beads. 

Date:  Saturday July 28, 2012
Time:  11:00am- 3:00pm
Technique: RAW* (Right Angle Weave)
Level: Foundational / Beginners
Venue:  LB o J'zazz Beading Zone
Jabriya Block 9 Street 6 House 13 ( Side Basement Entrance)

For more information you can send us an email at info@lbojzazz.com or go to Beady Spines Class and Fees Info
Kindly note for those of you who may not be fasting, we have a special private corner designated whereby, you can bring your snacks and beverages.

The Full Moon Al-Bader On Its Way

The Al-Bader Earrings

Have you ever come a cross a beautiful coin or semi-precious stone that every angle you view takes you breath away? Or that crystal stone with a pointy back or that piece that has no hole and you just can not figure out how to capture, frame or use it?  Well, if you are anything like me, then you may have felt it almost 'sinful' to cover the other captivating side of some of those treasures.  Today, i must admit that with some of my own private collection of Gary Wilson Stones, this holds true.

Treasure Stones

Luckily years ago I took a class with the exceptional Beading Artist Laura McCabe, a beading master in her own right, and a flamboyantly, creative being with the open-back bezel.  And as this is a time for new beginnings and growth in our present month of Ramadhan where the Moon guides our lunar calendar to mark progression of time and moments, the opportune time is here to pass this lovely skill on to eager fellow beaders with the introduction of "Al-Bader (in Arabic البدر; meaning: Full Moon) Earrings class this upcoming week.

Bader-Full Moon

Date:                 August 4, Saturday
Time:                11:00am- 3:30pm
Technique:       Open-Back Bezel
Level:                Intermediate
Prerequisite:     Peyote stitch; patience and love to learn ;)
Venue:              LB o J'zazz Beading Zone
                         Jabriya Block 9 Street 6 House 13 (Side Basement Entrance)

If you are interested to learn more about this class, please email us at: info@lbojzazz.com or call us at +(965) 2261-0686 or please click on to Full Moon Al Bader Earring Class Info and Fees.  Pre-registration for this class is required and this can be done at our LB o J'zazz shop in:

           Shaab Al-Bahri
           Block 8
           Mohammed Darwish Al-Aradi Street
           Al-Shaab Complex, Shop 4
           Kuwait

This class is created and lead by Bettina Al-Bakhit and will be supported and assisted by Lubna Saif Abbas.  The atmosphere is casual and comfortable and is a place you can just be.

Note: As this class is several hours long and it is Ramadhan, a dedicated private area is dedicated for those who wish to eat/drink, just bring along your own snacks and drinks.