Science with a Mission Auction

This Saturday, April 4, 2009 there is an Live Auction for Science with a Mission. The Auctions are always a lot of fun. (It is at the Covenant Congregational Church of North Easton MA at 6:30 PM) If you live near, stop by. They are having some wonderful items to auction.

One of the items in the auction is the above necklace. I have always liked the Kazuri beads and like to support a Fair Trade Business. The beads are hand made by women in Kenya. They are payed a fair wage and are often the sole support of their family. They are members of the Fair Trade Federation. One of those win-win situations. I've always tried to quiz vendors about their sources and support (buy from) those that have good working conditions.

I feel the Fair Trade Federation members seem to be a fit with the philosophy of Science with a Mission.

This necklace is made with 3 Kazuri Beads, jet Swarovski crystals with Bali Silver spacers and silver plate curved tubes. It is 18 inches long, finished with a lobster claw clasp and has a 2 inch extender.




I hope it will raise lots of money to support Science with a Mission. Check out their web site too.
You may also read more on my post last December here.


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Kazuri Necklace

I showed these Kazuri beads in a previous post. I purchased them last Saturday at the Innovative Bead show. My initial plan was to make a bracelet from the three beads. But that turned out not to be a good option since the length of the three beads together didn't fit well on a wrist. (At least not my wrist - so I figured it wouldn't on anyone else's either.)

Next, my thoughts went to making a bracelet from the flat round bead and use the other cube shaped beads for earrings. That idea didn't seem to work either since I think the cube beads are a bit heavy for earrings. At least for my taste.

The next step was easy. Make a necklace. I had some nice silver noodles that I had planned to use in the bracelet. So, I added some green Swarovski bicones and some Bali daisy spacers and voila a necklace. And the roll goes on!

The necklace is about 18 inches long and I added a 2 inch extender.

I've posted it on my 1000 Markets web site. Come check it out at http://www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com/

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Project starts

As I blogged about earlier, I went to a bead show last Saturday. Yesterday, I posted one of the first pieces. I thought I might be on a roll because it went together so quickly and easily. Well, I now have three additional pieces - part of my roll I guess, but none are finished.

This is the Kumihimo I have been working on while waiting for my computer. I really like how these fibers are going together. (Much prettier in person) I have more waiting time to go to be finished and then need a pendant to finish it off.

The other pieces need "something" that I don't have. Actually, I not really sure, exactly, what any of them need. Which means I need a trip to the local bead store. It will be worth while since it will be for three pieces.

These are the Kazuri beads I purchased. The necklace needs more length and of course a clasp. I plan to add an extender as this type of necklace needs to be lengthened for different necklines and for different people. Probably 18 - 20 inches finished. I'll see how things work out. Many factors...

These are great painted wooden beads. I added some black rounds and small white spacers. However, it is too short and needs more .... ???

When I finish all of these pieces I'll post again. It will be interesting to see how similar the finished pieces are to these pictures.

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Kazuri beads and other goodies

Saturday, two other friends and I travelled to Marlboro, MA to the Innovative Bead show. I really enjoy that show. It is held in the Embassy Motel. All the vendors are on one floor and each have their own room which includes a living room turned into a show room for their wares and a separate bedroom where they can sleep. The show starts on Friday and ends on Sunday.

It must be great to sleep with your wares and not have to set up and take down each night.

You wander up and down the corridor and enter those rooms that interest you. Hmm... which ones don't interest you?

I have always liked the Kazuri beads at the bead display of Kazuri Bead East, but have not purchased any until Saturday. I like the beads and I, also, like to support a Fair Trade Business. The beads are hand made in by women in Kenya. They are payed a fair wage and are often the sole support of their family. They are a members of the Fair Trade Federation. One of those win-win situations. I've always tried to quiz vendors about their sources and support (buy from) those that have good working conditions.

I also found some nice fibers for a Kumihimo necklace or bracelet. Now it snowed here all night Sunday and almost all day too. So, I had time to do some planning and designing. Nothing complete yet but later this week I should have something new to show.

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