String

It has taken me some time to get the string that I use in beading my jewellery and that is one of the things that she (the beader) is using against me. She says that she's run out of string. Today I lent how to go to in order to get some information about my Mafu necklace, I'm hoping that all is well now.

Speechless

We all have our own coping mechanism and I'm afraid mine is just not knowing to say or being speechless and smiling it off. A lot of things haven't seem to be adding up in concern with my final hand in for my Btec, not only has Thenjiwe being giving me the run around with my necklace but today she just left without saying a word. I've sold most of my btec pieces and therefore hardly have anything to show, I still haven't got a final display. Luckly my elements cast for a new necklace and its clear that ill bead this one myself, so there goes my birthday celebration.

A cross

I like the way this looks.

Reflect

I'm feeling a bit stressed, I don't know weather its too early or its too late to start feeling this way. I think I should write down everything that I have to do and give it a time frames and in that way I'll get more things done. There is more to these links then I thought there was. I want a finished product now, what do you think, don't you want to see the finished item.

Reflection

As I have been doing these test pieces I find that there are a lot of questions that come up that relate to the next step. Apart of me feels like other people questions can help you make to the next step and others can set you back a couple of steps. As mush as I would love to say that I'm making jewellery that pleases me, I also like to hear what other people think or how they can suggest things. It is very hard to hear some peoples opinion at the moment because I feel as feel the piece hasn't even been made yet but on the other hand I don't want to make this neck piece that has over 100 links only to find out that its just not good enough. Then the other thing is, who is to say that its not good enough?

Who

We design and we construct but who is to say that our designs or piece is not good enough. Who is to say what's what and on what grounds?

Why beadwork

I was asked why do I love beadwork or what is it about beads or beadwork that I like or love so much and funny enough I couldn't answer immediately, it took me some time to come up with an answer.
I said I like the stories that are behind them, the next question was, "what stories?"
I think I've thought it through and it is the meaning of the beadwork and the reason why they are worn that interests me.

Makhaya

I love that fact that things have changed and technology has improved to our advantage but the one thing that worries me right now is the fact that the younger generation (myself included) have moved away or forgotten some of their roots. Where they come from, why things were the way they were, I say this because as a btec student that is putting together a research report I'm discovering how uniformed I am about some parts of our tradition and culture. I wish I lived emakhaya where I could gather and learn more about them.

Can not make up my mind

It has been a very long time since I last blogged but I have not being lazing around. I have been making jewellery. I posted a drawing of a neck piece that I was longing to make but unfortunately it did not come out the I was hoping it would, so I’m stuck not knowing wether it should be a brooch or a neck piece. Please help me choose one.

What's wrong with smarties?

In the btec lesson or meeting that we have every Thursday we were asked, “What is the image or picture that guides you or that comes to mind when you’re making your jewellery?” At least that what I thought it ment. I took some time to answer because I did not want to say the wrong thing. I answered smarties come to mind when I do my beadwork because of their bright colours and the taste of cause. Some people agreed that when I mentioned it, my beadwork does tend to remind them of smarties. Amazing enough the other members of the group thought my colour co ordination is a bit off or at least that’s what I got from the conversation. What’s wrong with smarties? What’s wrong with bright colours?