Raku workshop

The raku workshop during the Bollemakiesie Festival was hectic! The weather played along beautifully after two days of rain and we fired 30 pots with 100% success. Considering the high risk of breakage in a raku firing, it is quite an achievement.

Festive Season

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Xmas decorations at a shopping centre in Plettenberg Bay last week - it came as a shock that it's that time of the year again and inspired me to glaze a few red hearts. The Festive season is of course much more than cheap "made in China" decorations and silly songs - its also about appreciating life and spreading love to each and everyone who crosses our paths.

Herb Pots Project

One of the joys of my work is to introduce pottery to women who have never before had the opportunity to work with clay. The Breytenbachsentrum kindly funded 8 unemployed women and we've been coiling and pinching the past 12 weeks. The herb terracotta pots which they've made will be on sale during the Bollemakiesie Festival which takes place at the Breytenbachsentrum, Wellington from 8 - 13 November. For more information, visit their website www.breytenbachsentrum.co.za.

Wall Heart

This decorative wall heart with beads is one of our new products. It looks great against a patio wall or hanging in a tree.

New beads

It's hard to believe that almost a month has passed since my last blog entry! Sarcda was great and we will be busy working on orders for the next 6 weeks. In the meantime, I am also teaching ceramics and working on my entry for Ceramics SA's national competition...and enjoying every minute of it!!

Here's a few images of our new paste beads (dark blue) and others.

Lavender and blue skies

Its August which is usually a very, very wet month in our part of the world but we've been blessed with lots of blue skies and sunshine. Angelico enjoys working outdoors in the garden where she's surrounded by flowering lavender plants and busy bees. We're exhibiting at Sarcda's Xmas Trade show in Johannesburg from tomorrow until Sunday, 22nd August. Our booth is on the CCDI's exhibition stand and you are welcome to pop in.

All Sorts!

In our latest necklace designs, we're combining leather, glass and ceramics - a collage of mixed media beads. The possibilities are endless and through research into materials used to make beads, we've learnt that we are only scratching the surface. Our main focus will always be our own handmade ceramic beads and we'll use other beads only to compliment our own unique beads. In the meantime, we are enjoying the journey of exploring and discovering - watch this space!

It is here!

The day has finally arrived - also in our small town! Vuvuzelas are heard, people of all ages are dressed in yellow, businesses closed early, our flag is seen everywhere... I took these pictures at the Breytenbach Cultural Centre where my studio is. No need to go to the Grand Parade in Cape Town to catch the "gees" (spirit) - it's here in Wellington! Go Bafana Go!!

4 days to go!

It's hard to believe that the long expected World Cup Soccer tournament is about to start - its here! We were selected to sell our products in the Cape Craft and Design Institute's Collective Shop at the Cape Town FanFest on the Grand Parade. We made a variety of products which we hope will be snapped up by soccer tourists wishing to take something home which is handmade in South Africa.

Thank you to the Cape Town City Council and the Cape Craft and Design Institute for showcasing 200+ Western Cape crafters products during the tournament. It is here!

Colour Chart

At last - our bead colour chart!

Recycled glass pendants

We've made these pendants with discarded wine bottles and ceramic clay. There are so many glass bottles lying around begging to be recycled. Our next recycling effort will be to make glass beads. One small step towards improving our environment.

Handbag buddies

Add a touch of authenticity to your handbag with one of our handbag buddies - as each bead is made by hand, your bag decoration is 100% one-of-a-kind and truly South African! Retail price: R85-00.

Bracelets

Our bracelets are very popular as they are so easy to wear - simply slip your hand through the strong elastic cord and off you go - no uneasy hooks and clasps to deal with! They are very, very reasonably priced at only R75 each (retail). Discount for orders above R2 000. Send an e-mail to earthbutterbeads@gmail.com to order.

Marzipan - don't eat it!

These two gorgeous necklaces were made by Marzipan in Cape Town using amongst others our very own turquoise raku beads and stoneware discs! Please visit their website www.marzipan.co.za to see more of their very highly original jewellry.

Raku firing - demo

I did a raku firing demo for the Drakenstein Art Society recently and thankfully all went well! My friend, Christina Vosloo took these amazing pictures of another friend, sculptor Nanette Ranger's dancing ladies. In raku there is always the possibility that just around the corner there will be something extraordinary that will take your breath away - they certainly did!

Unglazed cream discs

These beautiful cream beads were custom made for a Cape Town jewellry designer - aren't they gorgeous?

The 2 crosses are made of terracotta clay and glazed lightly - they look beautiful as wall decoration or draped on a coffee table.

We are all looking forward to the long weekend and wish you a blessed Easter. Enjoy a peaceful weekend and drive safely. From Desiree and the Earthbutter team.

Necklaces

On request from our fashion conscious supporters, we've made these 2 necklaces - they're 105cm long, unglazed, raku and bronze beads strung onto cotton cord. We think they are very hip and at the same time - earthy! What do you think? Please comment below.

Latest gifts from the Raku Kiln Goddess

Welcome to our team

I've been asked by the Breytenbach Cultural Centre to teach ceramics to a group of unemployed women - they've never worked with clay before and we started off making small pinch pots. Thami, Doreen, Lidihanna and Genevieve were very pleased to see what can be done with a lump of clay! I'll put images of their progress on this blog over the next 5 weeks. And yes - they will also be joining our team of dedicated beadmakers.

Raku beads

Raku firing is a very unpredictable process & the results are often not what I expected - maybe that's why I'm a Raku addict!

A selection of our glaze colours

From our rich african soil

Now this is what I call "earth butter" - from our rich african soil, unglazed, real and one-of-a-kind! These beads are 100% NOT MADE IN CHINA...