The Arts - Beadwork

Beadwork and wire art are two of the common forms of handicrafts that South African artisans make.  It is common to find many different things represented in bead and wire art, like bicycles ...

Wire and bead bikes

 flowers (these are wire versions of the South African national flower, the Protea)

 and all kinds of animals.  What do you see in this picture?

Answer:  elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinos, zebras, hippos

We have gotten to know a beadwork artist who sells his crafts on the beachfront near our house - his name is Innocent and he is from Zimbabwe.  He made the animals in the picture above.  Here, he is making a chicken for Abby's cousin Betsy.   We now regularly commission Innocent to make stuff for us and for friends.  First he started with the logo of Leah's favourite band, One Direction.

Then he made her a ballerina using only a picture I printed from the internet!