My Patterns

Themis Earring Pattern

Themis pattern is now available at my Etsy Store. This pattern makes a beautiful christmas ornament too!

Parys Bead Weekend

 

 

 

We arrived in drips and drops on Friday afternoon, some girls still had to work!What a spectacular setting awaited us! Set right on the banks of the beautiful Vaal River, Carlize welcomed the guests with open arms.We explored the countryside and had a moment of rest in the chapel. Friday evening we spent getting to know one another and Judy had us roaring with laughter with her jokes. The other girls also thrown in good ones. On Saturday morning, I awoke with the twitter of laughter in my ears, at six 0'clock, as the eager  beaders were  ready to take on their projects after breakfast. We bead through out the day, only stopped for tea and lunch. Even a severe rainstorm, accompanied by hail - and the occasional power failure, could not halt these girls.We moved from the lapa outside to the dining room table inside and back again. Eventually there were chaos with bead stock all over. But still, we were organised to the T. After supper we continued and some even tried to bead by the flicker of candlelight. The gods smiled upon them, when the electricity came on soon after.On Sunday morning the sun was shining bright and we started at eight and finished the African Diamond Ornament in time to enjoy once again the outstanding cuisine, our host Elize Serrao prepared for us. She even completed both her projects and did all the food preparation - she is one hands on girl and so relaxed.

Christmas in Parys

Next weekend I am going to teach a class for a group of fun in the sun girls!
We are off to a farm near Parys (Free State) for a whole weekend of christmas ornament beading. Looking forward to it!

Coin Pearl Setting

http://www.jewelrylessons.com/tutorial/bead-pattern-coin-pearl-setting
Visit Jewelry Lessons vir a vast selection of patterns.

Mad About Beads

I taught a wonderful group of ladies this past Saturday. Thank you my very good friend Dawn for gathering the group of beaders together. I am sure they also had a fun day. What a good selection of quality beads Mad About Beads,Linden, stock. The staff were so helpful and Nolly, you and Dawn spoiled us with your catering skills! The Gertrude Pendant was created and I must admit to be pleasantly surprised at the beautiful outcome - as every single pendant was individualised. Well done!

Pattern Listed - Marcelane

Beautiful and stylish bracelet that folds softly around the curve of your arm. Variety of stitches combined to create this beauty. If you would like to learn more about peyote, herringbone and right angle weave combinations, this is the tutorial for you.
Step by step instructions with illustrations in color and with photos to enhance your tutorial.
Eleven pages to print
Herringbone, peyote stitch and right angle weave techniques
Available from my Etsy:">

Suitable for intermediate skilled beaders

To sell or not to sell?

I am sure many of my fellow designers had a difficult customer or two.
At first I thought of just ignoring this issue, but then I decided, if I leave it, nobody else will have my side of the story.Please note: I have so much empathy for the buyer - we all know when you buy something you look forward receiving it, and the let down when you do not get your package is bad.
Well, I had been lucky throughout the years, until now. And if I had too be blamed for a book that was not delivered by the fault of the UPS, then be it. But what really upsets me the most of all, is that this person is trying to blackmail me, for not giving me a "bad" rating at my Etsy store. I re posted, at my own cost, a book to her. She wanted a free pattern, and I ignored the request. Thank you all loyal and satisfied customers. To analyse my personality you need to know me in person, even if you are a "mind reader". Perhaps a psychological assessment was made based on my photo.
I am a good, honest and reliable trader earning my bread and butter by selling my designs, and I am not going to tarnish my name and reputaion for a mere $22. The truth of the matter is, that I would have tried to compensate for the discomfort for not receiving what was expected, but the old saying " You attract more bees with honey than with vinegar" applies both ways
Ask the customers who contact me regularly to request a pdf pattern when they deleted the original one. Please bear in mind, I live in South Afica - the time difference is about six hours and I do go away on the occasional weekend. My laptop and Blackberry are sometimes out of reach.
This episode just left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I order products and books regularly from the USA. Also waited up to six week for a delivery. Books dissapeared and I was content to wait for the next book posted to me.
Tomorrow I shall send her the patterns (published in the book) that I have on pdf file.

The last two messages; (The first request was send on 6th Sept, and I immediately started to search for the book. The SAPO advised me, to wait another few days, before we could take action, as the book was still mobile and delivery was scheduled any day from that particular day.Between me and the buyer , we exchanged ten convos.)

ME:the second book tracking nr. : RJ 004 ............., posted this morning. I am positive that you'll receive it this time. The other girls waited between nine and sixteen days before delivery. Please contact me after day ten again, so that I know whether you received it.
Regards
Riana

Byer: Riana, I must say that I am very disappointed regarding how you have handled this. I ordered this book on August 21st;. It has taken you until September 18th to send a new book, yet you state that others received their books between nine and sixteen days after ordering-that would place us at September 6th at the latest when I would have received the book. That leaves another twelve days before you sent another book.
Additionally, you never answwered my question about sending a complimentary pdf of the Noor pendant. I have a responsibility to let other Etsy customers know about good as well as bad service. 

5% Discount on patterns

Just to say thank you to all my supporters. From today until Sunday you can use this coupon RANI5 (copy and paste)this code in the coupons space when you get to payment stage, to get a 5% discount on any of my products I sell in my Etsy Store http://www.etsy.com/shop/RianaOlckersBeadWork

Rose Marie

Rose Marie Bracelet - what a lovely name. Reminds me of a golden oldie movie "Rose Marie" with Howard Keel and Ann Blyth. Tomboy versus hidden femininity. This was a project that I designed for my beginner students - peyote stitch in all its glory - well basic glory, and not boring and repetitive.

Marcelane Bracelet

Marcelane - dedicated to Mars. Beautiful bracelet made with a variety of stitches and techniques. For the beader who would like to learn more about peyote, herringbone and right angle weave. Easy to read step by step instrucions and illustrations in color, with excellent photos to make your beading experience a pleasure.This pattern will be posted on my Etsy before the weekend

Themis Earrings

Themis (Greek) - Goddess of divine justice, order and customs. She also had the
gift of prophecy. Her name simply means "law of nature" or "divine nature."
Will be available on my Etsy before the weekend

Marnette Bracelet

Pattern now available at http://www.etsy.com/listing/108670875/bead-pattern-marnette-bracelet-with

Annah Tiger

The upmarket version of the Annah Necklace - The Annah Tiger. Earthy greens,together with very interesting components. Put that all together and get a vision of beauty

Simba, African Beauty

Simba had been inspired by our traditional bead craft here in South Africa. I tried to incorporate the earthy, but in the same time, vibrant and happy color scheme. Also the "ivory" tusks of an elephant. Whether I was successful in my design, you will have to decide, but I am content.

The Winner of the Noor Pendant

The winner of the beautiful Noor Pendant:
Ingrid.( I'll contact you on your e-mail) Thank you all for your participation I really appreciated it.
We'll do this again in the near future!

LAST CHANCE!

Your last chance to win the original Noor Pendant. Like my facebook page Riana Bootha Olckers Beadwork and add me to your blog list. That's all you have to do. On the 1st September, I am drawing the lucky name for this beautiful gift.

Marnette

A simple and gentle lady - but I must admit the Marnette I knew, was vibrant, modern and outspoken. Simple she was not, but gentle for sure

Salomina

Grace of God - My Granny( Salomina Smuts) Sally Bootha, passed away before my birth. But my Mom told me the most beautiful stories about her mother-in-law. Her lovely smile, she had a cute giggle, never ever lost her temper, had a good sense of humour, cared about all humankind, adored her children - she was beautiful from inside and outside.
And she smelled nice - she loved perfume and was a very good dresser.
Loved jewelry too. I made her a necklace too.

Delilah

What is in a name? A lot! Delilah - `delicate, amorous. That says it all.
This lovely set of earrings will bring a love of your life to his knees, when you wear it.

Annah

Annah means Gracious and Popular. So true, as I had to name this necklace after a very dear, loyal, trustworthy and confidant of mine. She had been a part of our whole family since 1986. Annah came into our lives without an invite, she decided we need her - she was spot on. Annah's husband is a reverend and just as beautiful as she is. I also named a piece after him, but more about that in another story.The pattern is available from my Etsy Store http://www.etsy.com/listing/107606421/annah-peyote-stitch-necklace

Ciska

Beautiful bracelet with avariety of interesting stitches.
C is for congenial, your pleasing way.
I is for inspire, others seek your guidance.
S is for sensible, the practical side.
K is for keepsake, you treasure your memories.
A is for accomplished, in all that you do.
http://www.themeaningofnames.org/?n=Ciska&m=12&d=28&y=1994&go=Go

Pattern available

I just completed the pattern for one of my most favourite designs I ever created. What an enjoyable project. The pattern is available from my Etsy Store
http://www.etsy.com/listing/105737089/noor-pendant

Do you prefer Japanese/Czeck beads?

I pondered over this question for a while. And would like to hear from the bead artist, that includes you, which do you prefer to bead with and why?

Maxine

Maxine is a very special bracelet. She's got that classy feel to her. Well, she was named after a very good school pal of mine, he wore my jewelry and eventhough I do not sell my pieces - he bullied them off me and wore them with pride. So, I decided to name this bracelet after his only daughther. Sadly he passed away, still miss your visits and our friensdhip, Jan.

Tamaryn Bracelet

This bracelet was published in the Advanced BeadBook(2010), available from my Etsy Store http://www.etsy.com/shop/RianaOlckersBeadWork
Tamaryn is a very dainty and feminine bracelet and I named her after a pupil that adored me, many years ago. I was a substitute teacher for a week or two and this pre-school toddler walked up to me the first morning in class, and never left my side for two weeks. A very dainty and beautiful little angel, called Tamaryn. And as I only had sons, I really enjoyed being idolised by this little darling. I even named one of my businesses after her. Today she is a 27 year old women, still the same lovely girl of twenty two years ago.

The Suzannah ear rings appeared in The Advanced BeadBook, published in 2010. Visit my Etsy store if you are interested in buying this fabulous book.
When I start with a design, you might think this is quite silly, I usually has a name for that design - the name of someone or something that's got a sentimental meaning to me. This particular design was named after a girl that were in my class ( primary school). We had been in the same class for seven years - they were not wealthy ,but she was a clever girl. Never heard from her since 1975 and many days since I became an adult, I have wondered how she coped with all the humiliation and rude remarks made about her appearance for being so poor. I made this for you Suzannah, and I pray from my heart, that you are a queen today. May God blessed you with all you never had and was not responsible for the lack of. You were just a child

Want a Beautiful Pendant?

Well, I am going to give the Original Noor Pendant away as a gift. But as we all know by now, nothing comes for free. To be part of the lucky draw of this fanatstic piece of art - I need you to help me, by doing only two very easy things :
1. Please like my facebook page: Riana Bootha Olckers Beadwork and leave your e-mail contact details on this blog post.
2. Share this blog on your page(Blog or facebook)
and on the 1st September 2012, I'll draw the lucky winner.

The Beautiful One

https://www.etsy.com/listing/106677005/linette-3d-pendant
Lynette is available from my Etsy Store. Enjoy

Emri Bracelet

Emri Bracelet is a very flexible bracelet, created with a combination of right angle wave, herringbone and peyote stitch.A good tutorial piece for an advanced beginner.

Linette Pendant

http://www.facebook.com/#!/RianaBoothaOlckers

Linette Pendant (The beautiful one). This is a beautiful 3D pendant. I used a variety of techniques and stitches to create it. Peyote, herringbone etc. The pendant can be left plain, without any embellishment and will still be drop dead gorgeous. Please visit and like my facebook page

The Marjan Pendant

This is the Marjan Pendant I so love to wear. BeadButton October 2012.

Bead&Button October 2012

This is my contribution to Bead & Button October 2012. I wear the original pendant often and get many compliments by total strangers - believe it or not , mostly men (accompanied by their wives and girlfriends, I must add).I would never have dreamt that one day in the future, one of my projects would be published in B & B, when I bought my first copy back in 1998, well not any magazine, as a matter of fact. How much I enjoy designing the projects I cannot put down on paper, but I do hope that the beaders enjoy creating and wearing the finished projects.http://www.facebook.com/#!/BeadandButton

New version

I made a different colour version of Gertrude and change the style of the embellishments. When you have the basic pendant made, you can play around with hundreds of different styles. The colour scheme I used, to create a rustic and vintage look, can be changed to suit your own mood. If I can fit it into my timeline, I'll try to create a very modern look for the same pattern, just to show off the variety of styles you can create with one design.https://www.etsy.com/listing/105906021/gertrude-pendant

Gertrude Pendant

Gertrude (Spear of strength). Gertrude Pendant is a combination of different stitches combined to create a pendant of luxury and above all style. I used a lot of Swarovski crystals in the design, to make it shine, when the light catches the crystals it comes alive. Very quick to make and I reckon that an intermediate beginner can try their hand at this design. Now I must just finish the pattern - I wish I had a little fairy helper (a computer literate of cause) to do that part for me.

Noor Pendant

Noor means "Light" and while creating the pendant I felt as though the "light" of my dedication to my beading had been reignited. For a long time I did not feel like taking up my art that I so enjoyed for many years - especially the teaching part - but I am glad the inspiration returned. I love this pendant! We are all born with artistic abilities, and as long as one can enjoy your own creations and experience the joy of your own created objects, whether it is the written word, painting or papercraft, I beg you not to be discouraged by fools who can only criticise in their own ignorance - keep on doing the arts and crafts that give you pleasure. I'll continue beading - not in the least touched by critisicm not asked for - because I am good with it, and blessed with the opportunity that I can have so much fun while I create. Enjoy

Cylinder Beads

I like precision and geometric designs, thus the most suitable beads are cylinder beads - Delicas (Miyuki) to be precise. But there are days like yesterday and today where I pulled out my almost forgotten size 8's and just started a project and even finished it in one go - hardly ever happens to me. One idea can bring on twenty other ones and I never stop. Tomorrow I'll post the projects and if I can remember what I did - even try to write the pattern,but visit my facebook page - Riana Bootha Olckers Beadwork, for more up to date news.

Isis

https://www.etsy.com/listing/105315929/isis-bracelet

Isis was a goddess from ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, of motherhood, fertlity and magic.  And that we all need help with.  I can only give you magic to wear around your wrist.  Enjoy the soft drape of beads around your wrist, very eye catching  and be the envy of your friends.

Rani's Cross Pendant

After many years I finally did it!  Rani's Cross available from my Etsy Shop.http://www.etsy.com/listing/104431139/ranis-cross-pendant?utm_source=OpenGraph&utm_medium=ConnectedShop&utm_campaign=Share

Riana Olckers Beadwork

Rani's Cross will be available as a pattern from Monday.  I'll add the link as soon as it is posted and available.  It is a project with lots of photos, illustrations and clear descriptions. 

BeadWork Magazine

BeadWork Project

Polymer Clay Play