The glistening beaded ornaments are up ...

Hand beading is a traditional skill in Southern Africa, unique items that are not mass made in a factory across the world is always something to be admired. 

I have shared my hand beaded wire & bead proteas that I have at home. 

I first saw the beaded proteas in a magazine then later visited a market with my late Dad & we chose these together for my home in England. 

Almost 2 decades ago, a friend was selling some of the hand beaded ornaments from Natal in her shop in Shropshire & I bought some. 

My parents added to the collection,  & each time we have been back, we have bought some additional ones. They are a link to my heritage. 

This past week, the little tree that usually goes in the conservatory was repurposed on the dining room sideboard. 

It looks right with the small beaded ornaments & I pass it several times a day so enjoy looking at it. 

I  put the beaded ornaments on there, along side the random deer who come out over the festive season. 

The  deer are mainly supermarket ones - Sainsbury's - some years back & they are really sweet. 

The little tree with its beaded ornaments is unique; it is personal & it is very much enjoyed. 

I hope your festive planning is going well too. Thank you for stopping by & spending time here. 

Dee 🕯️🎄🎶🔔

A very special & beautiful hand beaded book ...

 I am so blessed with a lovely neighbour who is also a good friend.  We bonded over our shared love of house rabbits & looked after each others lion head rabbits when the other went away.  

Tea with Di is always special because she is a lady of many talents & is generous with her help. 

She took special beading classes for some years & her work is so intricate & beautiful. It really is something that is special to follow complicated patterns with tiny beads. Many of the items take 20-50 00 tiny beads in specific colours & she works away with a magnifying lamp & glass. 

Over the years I have been gifted some really special items & over tea this week, she popped a tiny box in my hand & in it is this most exquisite little book that is smaller than a standard match stick. 

It is the 12 days of Christmas - a miniature that is perfect. The little printable book comes with the beading pattern. You can (with glasses) read the pages & marvel at the detail. 

The book has a little gold clasp & tiny gold beads. "I pushed the boat out & ordered gold clasps" she confided. 

I feel so thankful to receive the gift of her time & her considerable skill. It is something I will treasure for ever. 

I lit the Advent candles that are still burning down & arranged my beaded ones together, giving up a thank you for friends who make you feel special & whose friendship I value highly. 

I can do many things but do not have a particularly special talent like this & pattern reading has never been my strong point. However, the gift of time is very special & I feel abundantly blessed by her immense kindness. 

I hope you have friends that embrace you with their love & thoughtfulness too, 

Dee 🎁🧵🪡🙏

And an update - the other little beaded books that Di gifted but I didn’t want to share before Christmas. Are these not adorable?