The SilverChicks and Friends are having a hard time finding information on some of the East African metal and organic pendants and amulets. We would love to know if anyone has info, stories, history, or info on how to find out significance of some of our finds. We have a bunch of old stuff that we cannot specifically identify from our books. We are looking for a source that would be able to provide knowledge regarding tribal affiliation, region, method of manufacture, clues to dating.
Anyone know where we should look for these answers? We have found great resources for the metals of West Africa - but now we need one for East - other than the fabulous picture books by Angela Fisher.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Antique Chevron Bracelet with Bali Beads
How did we make this? This bracelet is composed of the following beads and components:
Antique Venetian Chevron beads
Bali Daisy Dangles stacked together,
Gorgeous large Bali barrel & tube beads,
finished with a beautiful sterling silver toggle.
Antique Venetian Chevron beads
Bali Daisy Dangles stacked together,
Gorgeous large Bali barrel & tube beads,
finished with a beautiful sterling silver toggle.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
What are Millefiori Beads?
Millefiori Is an Italian word meaning " a thousand flowers". Although these beads are know as Millefiori in the U.S., in Venice (and more specifically in Murano where they are made) they are mainly known by the name Mosaic. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica the word millefiori actually refers to a type of glassware with flowerlike patterns. The millefiori bead took its name in the U.S. from this type of glassware that utilizes the same basic design - the millefiori chip or murrina as it is called in Italian.
The making of a millefiori bead is actually a two step process involving two completely different craftspeople. The first process is the making of the mosaic cane, which is done in the glass factory. This is the more difficult of the two processes. The mosaic slices or chips of this cane are sold to the beadmaker by weight. The word in Italian for this millefiori chip or slice of cane is the murrina. (However, the word is most often used in its plural form - murrine.)
The second part of the beadmaking process is the actual making of the bead. Utilizing the murrine, the beadmaker places the chips onto a wound glass core at his discretion. The designs and color combinations of the murrine are extremely varied.
Stay tuned to more information about Millefiori - they have been made for 600 years.
(This information came from "Millefiori Beads from the West African Trade, Volume VI, Picard)
The making of a millefiori bead is actually a two step process involving two completely different craftspeople. The first process is the making of the mosaic cane, which is done in the glass factory. This is the more difficult of the two processes. The mosaic slices or chips of this cane are sold to the beadmaker by weight. The word in Italian for this millefiori chip or slice of cane is the murrina. (However, the word is most often used in its plural form - murrine.)
The second part of the beadmaking process is the actual making of the bead. Utilizing the murrine, the beadmaker places the chips onto a wound glass core at his discretion. The designs and color combinations of the murrine are extremely varied.
Stay tuned to more information about Millefiori - they have been made for 600 years.
(This information came from "Millefiori Beads from the West African Trade, Volume VI, Picard)
So, you are going to Ethiopia?
So, you are going to Ethiopia?
Here are some suggestions of things to do - places to visit, etc.,.
Addis Ababa:
A must do, early on in your visit to Ethiopia is a trip to the Ethnographic Museum which is on the grounds of Addis Ababa University. I often referred to this museum as the "Smithsonian" of Ethiopia. They have a nice representation of Ethiopian culture - and the placards are posted in English as well as Amharic. This is a great way to start your visit.
Here are some suggestions of things to do - places to visit, etc.,.
Addis Ababa:
A must do, early on in your visit to Ethiopia is a trip to the Ethnographic Museum which is on the grounds of Addis Ababa University. I often referred to this museum as the "Smithsonian" of Ethiopia. They have a nice representation of Ethiopian culture - and the placards are posted in English as well as Amharic. This is a great way to start your visit.
What is EBCEF?
EBCEF (ee-bee-sef) is a grassroots non profit/non government organization geared toward bringing literacy and literacy related resources to Ethiopia.
The mission of ETHIOPIAN BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (EBCEF) is to develop a reading culture in Ethiopia by connecting children with books.
EBCEF will advance, promote, and encourage children's book publishing, reading, and literacy in Ethiopia.
Immediate goals are to:
a) Keep the doors open of the first free children's library in Addis Ababa (this costs $83.00 per day).
b) Coordinate Book Week Celebration in Ethiopia in April of each year.
c) Publish books in Ethiopian languages, based on Ethiopian culture and history, for Ethiopian children in Ethiopia and those born outside of Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is a country with a strong tradition in oral story telling and an ancient history and written language, components that inspire a literate book loving culture. However, the literacy rate in Ethiopia is extremely low and the number of Amharic books available, especially for children, is devastatingly small. EBCEF believes that no child should need to do without the resources and joy that books bring.
EBCEF is working in both the United States and Addis Ababa to accumulate the necessary resources to realize this dream. EBCEF is an on going project that can always use support and volunteers! Please feel free to browse through the web page to learn more about our organization. Sign our guest book to let us know you're interested! And contact us for more information on what you can do to help. www.ethiopiareads.org
EBCEF is a 501 c (3) non-profit organization established for the purpose of promoting children's book publishing, reading, literacy and the development of education in Ethiopia.
The funds for EBCEF comes from private donations, from grants and fund raising activities. Your contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
SilverChicks.com is a proud supporter of EBCEF. We currently have three books for sale on our website that are being sold to directly benefit EBCEF. All monies go this great organization.
The mission of ETHIOPIAN BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (EBCEF) is to develop a reading culture in Ethiopia by connecting children with books.
EBCEF will advance, promote, and encourage children's book publishing, reading, and literacy in Ethiopia.
Immediate goals are to:
a) Keep the doors open of the first free children's library in Addis Ababa (this costs $83.00 per day).
b) Coordinate Book Week Celebration in Ethiopia in April of each year.
c) Publish books in Ethiopian languages, based on Ethiopian culture and history, for Ethiopian children in Ethiopia and those born outside of Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is a country with a strong tradition in oral story telling and an ancient history and written language, components that inspire a literate book loving culture. However, the literacy rate in Ethiopia is extremely low and the number of Amharic books available, especially for children, is devastatingly small. EBCEF believes that no child should need to do without the resources and joy that books bring.
EBCEF is working in both the United States and Addis Ababa to accumulate the necessary resources to realize this dream. EBCEF is an on going project that can always use support and volunteers! Please feel free to browse through the web page to learn more about our organization. Sign our guest book to let us know you're interested! And contact us for more information on what you can do to help. www.ethiopiareads.org
EBCEF is a 501 c (3) non-profit organization established for the purpose of promoting children's book publishing, reading, literacy and the development of education in Ethiopia.
The funds for EBCEF comes from private donations, from grants and fund raising activities. Your contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
SilverChicks.com is a proud supporter of EBCEF. We currently have three books for sale on our website that are being sold to directly benefit EBCEF. All monies go this great organization.
What are white heart beads?
What are white hearts?
This definition is taken from the Collectible Bead book.
White heart beads are cased glass. They are also called overlay or layered beads. One color, often bold opaque and white or a pale color, is surrounded by a different color, frequently in brilliant transparent hues. The most common are Cornaline d’Aleppo beads, featuring transparent red over white glasses. Beads with a white core but exteriors that are not red are called white hearts. These beads were widely traded in the Americas and in Africa.
The beads we offer for sale are from the African trade. In the America’s they were also referred to as Hudson Bay trade beads.
This definition is taken from the Collectible Bead book.
White heart beads are cased glass. They are also called overlay or layered beads. One color, often bold opaque and white or a pale color, is surrounded by a different color, frequently in brilliant transparent hues. The most common are Cornaline d’Aleppo beads, featuring transparent red over white glasses. Beads with a white core but exteriors that are not red are called white hearts. These beads were widely traded in the Americas and in Africa.
The beads we offer for sale are from the African trade. In the America’s they were also referred to as Hudson Bay trade beads.
What is a Chevron Bead?
What is a Chevron Bead?
This definition comes directly from the Collectible Beads Book:
Chevrons: Venetians invented these important glass beads about 500 years ago, and continue to make them today. The Italian name is rosetta and refers to the pattern in the cross section of the bead, resembling a flower or twelve pointed star, derived from a molding process.
Colors for the different layers tend to be blue, white and red, but many combinations have been made. The name refers to the ends of these complex canes that have been faceted or rounded by grinding , revealing the inner structure of the zig-zag of chevron lines.
These beads were also manufactured in Holland in the seventeenth century by expatriate Venetian glass beadmakers and are indistinguishable from Venetian beads.
This definition comes directly from the Collectible Beads Book:
Chevrons: Venetians invented these important glass beads about 500 years ago, and continue to make them today. The Italian name is rosetta and refers to the pattern in the cross section of the bead, resembling a flower or twelve pointed star, derived from a molding process.
Colors for the different layers tend to be blue, white and red, but many combinations have been made. The name refers to the ends of these complex canes that have been faceted or rounded by grinding , revealing the inner structure of the zig-zag of chevron lines.
These beads were also manufactured in Holland in the seventeenth century by expatriate Venetian glass beadmakers and are indistinguishable from Venetian beads.
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