October Show

I've been holed up in my studio happily creating 

new necklaces for a show later this month

It will be my last show of the year, so I hope people

 will come with Christmas in mind

To my cache of special old beads from Africa and India, 

I've added some funky, contemporary beads:

bright colors, metallic finishes, unusual shapes 

I've allowed my playfulness full reign

I am also including some vintage ethnic artifacts

carved figures, wonderful textiles, finely crafted baskets ..

Items we've collected and treasured from our travels 

that I am (rather reluctantly) allowing to find new homes

Below is just a wee taste

 African artifacts from across the Continent

Wonderfully carved ornate Dogon box

Vintage mortar and pestle

Luba Couple headrest (from Democratic Republic of Congo)

Carved figure -- see detail of head below

Yoruba Maternity figure 

Fertility artifact from Congo

Carved Ceremonial Spoons

 

  

Very fine old Kuba cloths -- meticulously woven from raffia leaves, 

dyed with natural materials and then embroidered. 

Great as a hanging or exotic table runner

Ethiopian food basket lid

Handwoven baskets from Machacos, Kenya

Vintage South African baskets

 Hand carved gourd from Kenya

Beautifully beaded Ndebele gourd

Hand spun wool runner-made by Bedouin Women

Stunning Indonesian Ikat  

Unusual Old Indigo Kente Cloth

 Large Hand Printed Tablecloth from South Africa

Zimbawean Batik - table cloth/ wall hanging

Exquisite Handwoven Thai Mudmee Silk

 

Back in my Studio

I've recently returned from weeks in South Africa, 

my suitcases heavy with wonderful beads: 

 old East African "Amber' with it's smooth rich gleam, 

powdered glass from Ghana in colors of the sea,

 intricate baoule bronzes created in the ancient way....  

It's been cathartic and fun to finger my newly acquired treasures, 

pull out trays of beads I already own and string together designs that please me.   

Now, to dust and rearrange my studio,

and take the plunge of inviting people to come and enjoy

 and hopefully be captivated to buy something they love and will treasure.

Here is a wee sample of some current designs.  

Many more are still half strung ....  

Come see.

 It's been a few years since I found such lovely Amber.....

 I've had this old, fine baoule bronze for over twenty years, and finally found beads 

worthy to string with it -- beautiful hand-cut unpolished Jade. 

Handsome combination of vintage amber, cow bone and fun ornate metal 

Wonderful old spindle whorls from Mali 

 

 When light catches these powdered glass beads... exquisite!

 A rich and timeless combination

Vintage Amber, Lapis Lazuli, Woven Bronze

 

You can see why I've named this "Eclectic" !

 

 And this "Trick or Treat" -- a chunky, funky combination of Kikui seeds,

 Maasai batik bone, precious carnelian, contemporary resin ......

 Some of Granny's pearls got teamed with camel bone, carnelian

 and a shell I found on a beach in North Carolina!

And of course, there are many more

 

And earrings galore!

Come,  Adorn thyself!