I’ve always thought that the beadworking women of Beaded Hope were amazing, but they recently gave me even more reasons to be really excited with our latest shipment of beadwork.

In South Africa, beadwork is a tradition that is handed down from generation to generation. Women sit under an acacia tree or around a camp fire and teach their daughters the art of beadwork. In the Ndebele (pronounced in-da-bey-lee) tribe, learning beadworking skills is part of a young girl’s initiation ritual.

With this training also comes lessons on traditional color combinations. Any study of old, traditional South African beadwork will show that it is typically created using blue, green, red, yellow, black and white. So, when you see a seemingly old piece of beadwork at a market in South Africa, one way to judge its age is by its color.

Not too long ago I received a new shipment of beadwork from South Africa. This is always exciting because I never know exactly what I will be receiving. When I opened the bag, I was simply amazed. The women had not only created pieces of beadwork in beautiful traditional colors but also in amazing contemporary color combinations.

I don’t know how they came up with these ideas. I don’t know if they were influenced by the people that they interact with or if they were simply creative with their color choices. What I do know is that you are the beneficiary of this amazing shipment of beadwork.

And I, once again, am amazed by the beadworking women in South Africa.

Whether you’re into the current fashion trends or not, Beaded Hope is here to help you pick out the perfect accessory for your party outfit this holiday season.

We’ve taken our jewelry and grouped them it into color combinations that will help you find just what you’re looking for. Whether your style is Jackie-O (classic), Gwen Stefani (trendy) or Angelina Jolie (socially aware) we have you covered!

Classic – I call these the “pearls” of Beaded Hope, a classic color combination of black, brown, gold and silver that go with everything just like a good strand of pearls.

Metallic – Have you read your In Style fashion report for 2007? If so, then you already know that metallics (silver, copper, bronze, etc.) are all the rage this fall. Whether it is shoes, bags or jewelry, you’re up on the style trends if you wear just a bit of metallic.

Traditional – There’s just something about putting on a piece of beadwork in traditional South African colors. Somehow it instantly makes you feel just a little more connected to the woman who made your piece of jewelry.

The women of Beaded Hope have created a few amazing pieces in each of these color combinations; get them quick before they’re all gone!

For the second time in just a week Beaded Hope and Red Tree Gallery appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer. Here’s what they had to say on August 6th:

Headbands Help
Cincinnati Enquirer
August 6, 2007

Helping someone else by buying something for yourself is a no-brainer. Those looking to tame wild or drooping summer locks should check out the Beaded Hope headbands, handmade by women in South Africa impacted by HIV/AIDS, at Oakley’s Red Tree Gallery. Red Tree is a new art gallery and coffee shop designed to support artists with an emphasis on the local arts community, selling T-shirts to purses to handmade cards. Headbands range $20-$25. Red Tree Gallery, 4409 Brazee Street in Oakley. 513-321-8733. (Beaded Hope accessories also are at Second Chance Upscale Resale in Springdale and at www.beadedhope.com).

Check out the online article here.

It’s always great when an organization gets a little press….it’s even better when two great organizations get some press together! Here’s what the Cincinnati Enquirer reported in today’s newspaper (Thursday, July 26th).

Gallery offers headbands for a cause
Cincinnati Enquirer
July 26, 2007

Beaded Hope headbands, handmade by women in South Africa impacted by HIV/AIDS, are now available in Oakley’s Red Tree Gallery. The headbands come in a variety of colors and designs, reflecting both African and American tastes.

All profits of Beaded Hope go to fighting HIV/AIDS and malnutrition in Mamelodi Township, South Africa.

Red Tree is a new art gallery and coffee shop that supports emerging and established artists with an emphasis on the local arts community. The gallery features progressive art within a neighborhood coffee shop and lounge setting, along with a specialty shop featuring accessories such as the Beaded Hope headbands. Prices for the headbands range from $20 to $25.

In addition to Red Tree, Beaded Hope accessories are also available at Second Chance Upscale Resale in Springdale and on-line at beadedhope.com.

Red Tree Gallery is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is at 4409 Brazee St. in Oakley. Visit redtreegallery.net or call 321-8733 for more information.