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!

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