Monday, July 14, 2014

Maridadi Showcase July 2014

Here is a sampling of what is currently on display in my 
Maridadi Studio
 
As you can see, I have been immersed in creating new designs
and having a grand time working with some amazing beads
Each necklace is unique



This bold, eye-catching necklace is named
"Spot On"
I strung glazed ceramic Kazuri beads (hand-crafted in Nairobi)
 with a single large East African "Amber" bead


  "African Sky"  
Beads made in Ghana from recycled glass, silver from Ethiopia, 
old Trade beads with a history, beads crafted from 
old cooking pots by the nomadic Gabbra in Kenya....


 
"Old Gold"
Rare and ancient Hebron beads made from Dead Sea Salts 
could be up to 500 years old
Eclectic mix of lost-wax bronzes -- Baoule and Yoruba


  "Treasure"
 Lapis Lazuli, Baoule Bronzes made with the ancient lost-wax method, 
Guilded Ethiopian silver prayer beads ... treasure indeed!




 "Fabulous" 
Old Dogon silver and yummy mix of East African Amber


"Starry Night"
More Lapis and a small baoule bronze



 "Nguni" 
Stunning cow horn beads hand-crafted and polished in Kenya, 
Vintage "donut" trade beads



 "Pulp Fiction"
These beads (selected over many years) were made 
by women in East Africa from old magazines and calendars.  
They are strong and light, fun to wear, and support a good cause


   "Raja"
Fantastic old pendant from India, silver Ethiopian prayer beads,
recycled glass, vintage trade beads ....



 "Quoize"
 Turquoise from China and the South West, 
old Indian clay bead, unusual metal



 "High Tide"
Gleaming shell and pearl



 "Pearlite"
Delicate pearl and coral




 "Tatu"
Mainly  hand-crafted pewter





 "Purple Punk"
Marble chip and amethyst 



  "Evergreen"
Kitengela glass, hand-blown in Kenya
fun metal I found in South Africa  


  "Volcano"
Old Venetian Millefiore 
Trade beads and Bauxite from Ghana


 

  "Royale"
Cherry "Amber" from Ethiopia,  
blue glass, ornate silver beads


  "Limpopo"
Old "Scribble" beads, glass, resin


 "Zamber"
Amber and jazzy metal

 


" Fall Flow"
Recycled glass beads individually fired in Ghana
  and Baltic Amber



"Resonate"
Dramatic mix of contemporary resin
and vintage donut trade beads 



"Buzz"
 Hand-crafted Krobo beads from Ghana
Kiffa beads from Mauritania,  Red horn Heishi
(inspired by tropical thoughts of a trip to Hawaii)

 

 Fun light-weight necklaces using contemporary glass and resin


and, of course,
earrings galore!















 Please pop by if you are in the area
  Let me know if you'd like more information on any of the necklaces showcased above


Adorn Yourself

Friday, July 11, 2014

Strand Sunset

Sometimes nature leaves me breathless 

Often, it is those moments that become an enduring memory
Something I hold close and can return to in my mind.

Or revisit
and share 

This sunset series was taken on May 1st.  Graham and I were walking on the Strand 
(not far from our home in Somerset West, South Africa) 


 Looking across False Bay at the Cape Peninsular. 
The "back" of Table Mountain is just below the sun






 
Looking the other way down the beach towards Hangklip







 time to head home for the night
rich with the memory of this beauty

Monday, July 7, 2014

Conching out on Cape Lookout








 

   When I was younger, I always sought out the most perfect and whole

But now, I find great beauty in the effect of time
the transformation with age...



The revealing of inner strength and beauty...




 acceptance





 scars of a life fully lived.



 a whittling down






 Dust to Dust -- or to Sand



 revealing the very core...

(sorry, couldn't resist)



And seeds of the future
The Circle of Life --  an egg casing "necklace"




Just us and the shells and the surf and the birds.

.
and on and on "to the Lighthouse"...