Pondo Play

Everyone has been sharing their new adventures so I thought I would share mine with you.

I decided to give Pondo stitch a second try.  I had attempted this stitch a couple of times but I struggled.  I do not like struggling with a stitch and giving up.  It was a good thing that I had thought about it again to use to finish a piece on my tray.  So out I went to find a video on YouTube.  I did find a couple and this is the one I think is the best.
 

http://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DdaVaYEE0v58&session_token=qk3fS--a3YrS9fBGLhmOXIzI3j18MTM4OTgyMTk1NUAxMzg5NzM1NTU1

Here is a little background information about the stitch I found.

The Pondo

Pondoland is named after the Pondo people. This is the area of South Africa that includes the South Eastern seaboard of Cape Province. The Pondo people speak Xhosa, a language spoken by approximately 18% of South Africa’s population. Although the Pondo speak Xhosa, the Pondo people are in fact the descendants of refugees who fled from the north several hundred years ago.

Even though the Pondo people have incorporated some modern innovations, their lives remain relatively unchanged from that of four or five hundred years ago. They still live in their round, thatched houses. These are still built with the doorway to the east so as to catch the first rays of sunlight each morning. They create incredible craft work, including ‘Pondo baskets’ and awesome bead work. Traditional colors are very important to the Pondo. You’ll find that pale blue is the dominating color in celebratory clothing for adults, and red or orange for children. The style of beading known as "Pondo stitch" was first found amongst antique bead work that was made by the Pondo tribe. This stitch has since been found in work made by other peoples at various times


I was even more intrigued when I read about it but it still took a bit for me to get it but once I did it was the AH HA moment I needed.

Here is the piece I started with.

The on problem that was messing me up was how the accent beads work.  If you do watch the video I am sharing a little tip with a picture for you.

The vertical accent beads go with the hole vertically and the threads going through where the red lines are.  On the horizontal the accent bead holes face horizontal and the threads go through where the red lines are.  I hope that tip helps.

Here is the finished piece I had in mind when I set out to learn this stitch again.

I am really pleased with how it turned out.  I have had this focal of Lisa Peters done for a long time just looking for the perfect finish

What new are you thinking of trying?

Kristen

My contribution to Bead and Button this year.

This year I had the extreme pleasure of helping an artist out.  I know most of you know Lisa of Lisa Peters Art.  I have been a fan of hers for as long as I have been interested in art beads.  You know the way it is on FB you start seeing all the beauty of art beads and then you find you are drawn to a certain medium.  Well clay has always grabbed my attention.  I always wanted to get my hands on it and see what I could create but it just hasn't happened for me.  I am so happy that Lisa is one of my favorite artists and can show me what can be created with clay.  

So to get to the story, one day a while ago Lisa put out a plea for help.  Offering beads in payment.  Well Hell Yeah!  I was lucky enough to see the post and respond with in minutes.  I would do just about anything to play with her beads.  Her response was just as quick and that started the process.  Could I put her buttons on cards for her?  She just didn't have the time to put into it and keep creating beads.  Yes I could do that!

Here was my first shipment....

My the drooling commence!

Do you see all that gorgeousness?  I was in awe!  I must have played with putting sets together for at least 3 hours with that first batch.  Then she asked if I would like some more?  Well if she had more I would certainly love to make more sets. Well three shipments later and 140 cards cut, punched, and buttons tied on ( I wanted to get pictures but they did not photograph well at all in the bags) they are on their way to Bead and Button in Milwaukee!  I am so happy!  I wish I could be there but doing this for Lisa was such a pleasure!!!  Now not only can I say I am a fan of Lisa's but also a friend!

Oh and part of my payment you ask?  Well because she just basically dumped the trays of buttons in bubble wrap and you know what happens at show when people are looking some things other than buttons ended up in the wrong trays.  So here is a picture of some of those links and warped buttons that couldn't be put into the sets that have become my stash!!!!

Lucky me right?

So the next time you see one of your favorite artists puts out a call for help and you have the time I totally encourage you to offer help.  The best part of this is once again being able to call Lisa a friend!!!

Next time if you would like I will tell you about the other artists/friends I am helping for Bead Fest!!!!

Kristen