More beads have just been made

A large flowery disc bead...

And porcelain blue and white antiquated looking disc beads that could be found washed up on a beach anywhere, anytime...available here tomorrow, Saturday 20 Dec.

Ostrich Eggshell Beads Combined with Handmade Porcelain Beads

The ostrich eggshell bead is one of the oldest known man-made beads. They are commonly known in this corner of the world as 'Pearls of the Kalahari Desert'. And to the San Bushmen they are even meant to bring good luck. Apart from all of this I have discovered that they mix beautifully with natural colored ceramic beads. I just could not resist adding a couple to some porcelain beads that I made recently to form a simple necklace. Shortly available in the Etsy shop. More to come.

 

After the mountain fires..colorful fresh ceramic beads

This little collection of colorful ceramic beads were influenced by the healing fresh turquoise seas and spacious summer sky that surround the mountains where raging fires were recently burning. Small green shoots are already growing steadily and will soon cover the area with new growth.

  Available shortly in Balela's etsy shop.

Interesting beads will be available shortly

The kiln is firing again this week and interesting new beads should be ready for placing into the etsy shop this Friday 28 November!

Mountain Fire Disruption

Strong winds fanned the flames of a large fire as it descended down the mountains towards homes this afternoon. I interrupted bead making and spent an action packed time with a friend who lives on the mountain. Smoke hangs in the sky at sunset and after.

Some beads that I am about to upload into the shop. Refreshingly cool colors after todays heat.

Porcelain beads a reminder of sun-drenched shells

A reminder of sun-drenched organic forms and shells left behind at low tide. Available in the shop later today.

'Ocean droplets' ceramic beads

 A friendly customer suggested that I make an 'ocean droplet where sea and mountains meet' bead or two. Well, I never know what to expect when I open the kiln but in any case they turned out like this. I guess it's a start.

Beads still warm from the kiln

A preview of some of the beads before they arrive in the shop.

Beads inspired by mountain and sea.

African Mix

Fairly unusual fresh beads on their way.

Some fairly unusual fresh new beads will be appearing in the shop tomorrow 17th October.....inspired by  natural surroundings close by.

Fresh New Ceramic Beads safely removed from the kiln

These are some of the beads that I removed from the kiln when they were just cool enough to comfortably handle.

The firing was fairly successful. I have a couple of new beads that came out well but also a few that just did not manage to end up the way I wanted them. No problem, I will adjust the glaze and clay and try again!!

The beads pictured here will be available in the shop later today.

Up the Path

Come walk with me up the path............

Explore the pools...............

Chat............until this Saturday 13th when interesting new beads will be placed into the shop.

Shoreline Finds

I was thinking of the shoreline with its ever changing shapes and treasures when I made these beads.
Available in Balelaceramics etsy shop.

Fresh new beads are on their way.

We do drive a little slowly in this especially when in nature and over very rough ground and sand.
Hopefully the new beads will not take as long to reach their destination. Uploading them into my etsy shop tomorrow, 29 August!

Richtersveld Desert Landscape and Ceramic Beads

I try to have patience as I wait for my reliable kiln to complete glaze firing the beads that I hope to place into the shop tomorrow after the kiln has cooled down. I think back to when we were in the Richtersveld up in the north west, to the awesome desert where time seemed to stand still.

Beads that I made...influenced by the beautiful desert landscape. Available in my etsy shop.

Down the Road...................

 Down.......the road

Around.......

 the corner.......

to Wednesday 30 June when I will be uploading lots of new ceramic beads into the shop!

Sculpted Porcelain Shell Beads....A reminder of the winter African shores where I walk.

Beautiful Flower And A Collection of Fresh New Beads should be ready today, Monday 23 June

Good Morning!  This little flower was blooming at the studio door this morning. As I wait for the kiln to cool down enough to open, the chilly morning turns into a warm sunny winter day. 

Preparing for the first firing of ceramic beads

The beads that you see have been sculpted and dried and are ready for their first firing. They will look very different when they emerge from the kiln tomorrow after their second firing.

A reminder of ancient beads from far off lands

Looking down the mountain at the timeless Orange River.

I made these as a reminder of ancient beads from far off lands.

A beautiful hot summer morning and ice cold sea....

Misty Cliffs, South Africa

Ceramic beads influenced by a beautiful hot summer morning and refreshing icy cold sea.
Available tomorrow in my Etsy shop together with other new interesting beads.

Ceramic Beads Softly Washed With Natural Colors

A Bowl of Beads Warm From The Kiln

Mountain Stream Pebbles

Last week we went hiking in the mountains not far from where we live. The early morning sunlight began filtering through the trees, before the temperatures started to soar, highlighting the plants and pebbles in the stream below. Later that day I put together this simple ceramic bead necklace (or bigger than usual bead set) as a reminder of the lovely pebbles in the stream.