Fruitful Fusion: jewellery

Showing posts with label jewellery. Show all posts

Thursday, February 15, 2018

before I left Algiers ... part 1 - Artisan Fair

Before I left Algiers, I finally got to go to the artisan fair held at the Safex exhibition centre.

It was a lovely opportunity to see (and feel) locally crafted products from soft handwoven rugs to colourful mosaic-topped tables. And those heavily embroidered traditional kaftans and dresses! The items were mainly from various Algerian cities but there were some from other parts of Africa.

One of my long-standing missions, while in Algeria, was to source local, spun wool. Unfortunately, in a country full of glorious sheep, it was extremely difficult to find any. What I realised was that it's really only used for weaving rugs ... And stuffing mattresses and pillows! I am fortunate enough to have friends that humour my yarn-geekiness and so I have acquired a couple of bags of Algerian unspun, uncarded wool!

A loom used for weaving rugs

Traditional Kabyle dresses

Looking back, it was a nice experience, seeing locally made and traditional products. And from the exhibition centre, we could see the Grand Mosque, mid-construction!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

a year

It's been that long ... Plus a bit more! In a new country, a new culture, a very different set-up, with a new little person in our family, for just over a year. We left what we were familiar with. We left our friends and family and moved to a different set of friends and family. It has been an experience. There were some bumps along the way. Although it wasn't an unwelcome change for me, we've all had to adapt. And things like that take time. But for now, I'm happy to feel more settled. I've found some lovely new things. I've found some lovely familiar things too. The most surprising thing of all, is that I seem to be finding myself more and more. I guess that's how adventures go!

We've had new experiences but we've also had picnic iftars by the sea just like we would have in Jeddah!

My parents visited Algiers. It was wonderful to have them here but I was so new here back then, I'd just had a baby AND my husband had to go back to Jeddah ... yes two days after I gave birth!

My aunt also came over in the summer.

I'm pleased to be knitting and crocheting again. I want to knit and crochet ALL the things! Especially for my one-year old.

In fact, we were inspired by others, such as Ines, to start up our own little craft sessions! Need I mention that much tea and coffee is drunk and much cake is eaten at these weekly, knitty, hooky sessions? Lots of chatter is thrown in too! And one of the best things about having craft-y friends is that they make wonderful things for you (and your baby)!

It's extremely cold here these days.

Summery days went on for quite a while but then December brought plenty of rain and the kind of weather that has you bundling up before heading out. Better still, you might want to just stay under the covers with hot drinks! Perfect weather for knitting up things to keep everyone warm.

I've been wearing this cowl to death this winter. I received it in a swap and just LOVE it!

And oh was I excited when I received it all the way from America and I got post from my family in Malaysia (goodies for baby)!

If you'd like to read more about life in Algiers, you might like to read this and this, where my friends blog all about their lives in this crazy, quirky, place!

I do hope you've all been well this past year and faring well during the winter (if it is indeed winter where you are)!

Friday, September 21, 2012

my creative space - saying goodbye

No, I'm not leaving just yet. But the expat life means that we say goodbye to quite a lot of people and yesterday we were saying goodbye to one very inspirational friend.

My cake-making sil came up with one of her creations in the midst of her studies!

My blanket is still in the works. I managed to darn in plenty of ends while watching Chelsea play Juventus! Fiona, I am hoping to add a few more rounds. I just hope I can get them done in time!

And the knitting needles have found their way in to my creative space too! I love the circulars and find knitting quite a soothing process now! A total change of heart!

Now, here's something a bit different for you. A bit of my creativity does occur in the kitchen. Just a bit! So on that note, can you guess what this is?

Answers ~~on a postcard~~ in a comment! No prizes, except maybe a shout out!

Beautiful creative spaces here!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

the good, the bad and the beautiful

I'm gutted once again! Somehow, I managed to let my computer die without backing up all of my recent files. None. I'm quite fortunate that some of it is online (on flickr, in my email outbox, on FB or here). But I tend to save lots and lots of inspiring images and bookmarks. Of course, I lost them all. And a quite a few things I was working on, on Illustrator. I don't know why I didn't get an external hard drive. I'm thinking of getting a new laptop. What do you think?

The day before the fatality I managed to email this off. Alhamdulillah.

And now something else to brighten my mood, here are some blog beauties I've come across recently ...

A laptop bag tutorial

Blooming Hairpins

Wire jewellery

My friend's dad's art!

And don't forget, the giveaway closes tomorrow!!!

Friday, May 13, 2011

my creative space - on the road

Yes, it was on the road that I got my hook out and finished off a couple of pieces that I was testing for Fatima.

It made me want to go on a proper road trip!

But this one wasn't too far. Just over an hour away. A trip to Rabigh to visit an airfield, with lots and lots of little people (not pictured here as they were busy on bouncy castles and such like!).