Beloved Beadwork is a small, new company. We produce intricate, beautiful pieces of wearable beadwork using complex weaving techniques and high quality glass. Launched in May 2009, Beloved Beadwork makes and sells the designs of Anna Richerby, a beadworker and Anthropology graduate from the UK, who now lives permanently in South Africa. Our team is comprised of a socially diverse group of expert beadworkers who work from home in Cape Town. We use unusual stitches, intricate colour schemes, and the best possible glass and thread sourced from Japan, the Czech Republic, India and the USA. Our aim is to push the boundaries of the beadwork tradition in South Africa, and to produce distinct, original pieces of work which can be considered 'wearable art'. Our interest also lies in contributing to a transformed and ethical craft sector which develops good creative skills and enables a high quality of life for all of it's members. Our work utilises techniques from across the globe, both ancient and modern, to create vastly different visual and tactile effects. Some of our work is delicate, romantic and feminine, such as the lacy 'Floral Kingdom' pieces. Other pieces are heavier and highly structural, creating striking effects, such as our Thousand Hills necklaces. We use Sterling Silver findings and wherever possible reinforce larger necklaces and bracelets with flexible nylon coated wire. Amongst other achievements, we have produced work for Andrew Putter, Bili Bidjocka (at the Goodman Gallery Cape), and ourselves been shortlisted for the Spier Contemporary 2010-2011. As a business we are geared up for both retail and wholesale trade. With a highly competent materials supplier, a team of twenty producers, and more on standby should we need extra production capacity, we have the potential to make at least 200 pieces of work per week. We already have good working relationships with a handful of shops overseas, and have agents in Holland and Namibia. We also provide stock to the National Gallery Shop, Imagenious, Misfit, Heartworks, and The Rainbow Experience within Cape Town. Our goal in attending Design Indaba Expo 2010 would be to achieve better publicity for our product, expand our network of wholesale customers and agents, as well as benefiting from contact with the South African creative community.

Sector: Craft