Merry Christmas Everyone

One of the joys of the holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you and wish you all the best in the coming year. After a year that was jam packed with live events across the country, I can honestly say it was such a blessing to meet so many wonderful people in person as I did this year. As I count my blessings this Christmas, you are among them.

Viking Era Glass Beads

A tenth century Arab king once said that the Vikings would “go to any length to get hold of coloured beads”. Let’s look at some incredible bead work from the Viking Era to see how their taste in wearable glass beads is not far off from our own.

Prehistoric Beads: Poverty Point

Last week I wrote about Palaeolithic beads, how they were made, and what they were used for. This week I am completing this topic with a look at the largest site for finding beads from this time period, which is Poverty Point in the lower Mississippi Valley.

Palaeolithic Bead Making

Glass beads, like the ones that I make at Dragonfly Organics, represent a relatively new process of bead making (especially when compared to ancient beads like the ones above). In their time they were considered attractive and precious objects, just like our contemporary jewelry, but they were made from softer materials. Let’s have a look at how they used to do it.

35 Centuries of Glass Beads (Part 2)

Understanding of the process of glass bead making and bead working will give you insight and respect into the cultural influences and the global spread of bead production. Traditionally, the most common techniques in bead making are winding and drawing. Learn all about it right here.

35 Centuries of Glass Beads (Part 1)

Glass beads tell a story relating to diverse cultures and societies. More than the expression of a desire for ornamentation, beads have historically served a functional purpose as well. Read Part 1 about why glass beads have such cultural significance, then check back next week to learn about how they are made.

Beads in Africa 3: More Uses

Waist beads have a long history in Africa and are worn for various reasons and purposes. Typically worn under the clothes as a private adornment, they can represent womanhood, sexuality, femininity, fertility, healing, spirituality and more.

Dragonfly Organics In-Depth Video

I would like to introduce you to my process, while you watch this video of me working the summer market at Bastion Square, in Victoria BC! Special thanks to Wladyslaw Labuda and Art Market Art & Craft Sale for their fantastic work.