Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Beading is not just for jewellery

I adore African craft! I don't think I appreciated it enough when I lived there. Now, whenever we go back for a visit, we come back loaded with unique treasures, like these cute miniature animals.




 The detail is amazing considering that only wire and beads are used, and no fancy tools.

 This 'framed' 3D picture hangs in our kitchen - it's one of my favourites! We bought it in Cape Town while we were stopping at the traffic lights - literally through the car window - for A$20-00.

The creativity blows me away and as a beader, I can really appreciate the effort that went into making it. The frame is made from coat-hanger wire and the background is chicken-wire.
Recycling, upcycling, re-using is all the rage in Australia but in Africa the locals have been doing it for years. In a future post I think I will have to share some ingenious recycled gems from Africa!

3 comments:

  1. I love these!! I received one as a gift in February from friends who had just returned from Namibia. The craftmanship is amazing and unique. x

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  2. I would love to get some of these beaded women in the frames. Where did you find them proper?
    Am going on mission to Rwanda. timing not exact. Cannot wait to meet the children and work with our Organization

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