ZAYUNU BY DESIGN

New Videos from Zayunu

2009-08-31T16:44:00.000-07:00

Slowly but surely getting back on my feet.

2009-07-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

2009 hasn't started on a good foot for Zayunu...yet another computer crash, curtosy of MS Service pack 3 (Check my website blog, its all there). Anyway now after a long recovery period and a mini crisis of confidence, I'm getting to work that creative muscle again. This must be what it feels like to have atrophy of the mind lol. I seriously considered just jacking the whole jewellery making thing in at one point, but without that I'm as good as lost. So once again I pick myself up, dust off the cobwebs and do what I do best. Thank you for sticking with me...you know who you are. Hopefully the rest of the year thats left will be full of wonderful surprises that will undoubtably offset the troubles of the earlier half of 2009.

Stay blessed

Luv Zay xx

Back on track again.

2008-02-04T00:21:00.000-08:00

After suffering the loss of documents, untold pictures of my work and my bookmarks wiped clean from my old hard drive crashing, I am now starting the laborious task of reinstating my bookmarks and revisiting my old homes online. It hasn't been too bad though, I needed a spring clean and my screen picture had become covered with desktop icons so numerous I didn't know what half of them did any more, but was too afraid to remove them in case they were important. I have become an icon hoarder.

Anyway enough about that, here are the highlights of 2007:

Ophelia Bridal set

Saatnuaab Bridal set

I'll post the rest later, Adiós for now.

Hi there again folks

2007-07-06T01:35:00.000-07:00

I've been so busy this year that I forgot to update the posts on my main blog. My bad!

Come visit Auntie Zay at http://www.myspace.com/zayunu

Lots of new bits and bobs to see like the latest dreadlock jewelry that I've posted on my site http://www.zayunubydesign.net

NEW FROM ZAYUNU:

When you're asleep in the light of the moon,
did you know your dreadlocks BLOOM?!

Dreadlock Blooms from Zayunu
Amethyst Bloom

Amethyst Petals and Diamanté centred
Dreadlock cuff

£13.00 each

Clear Rock Crystal Bloom, Tiger Eye Bloom, Turquoise Bloom
Coming soon!!!

Find Zayunu at.........

2006-06-22T01:41:00.000-07:00

THUMBRWRAP IN COLOUR

2006-06-18T10:10:00.000-07:00

THUMBRWRAP IN COLOUR
Originally uploaded by ZAYDAY-Zayunu by Design.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU WORK WITH WIRE, UR NAILS GET SHOT TO HELL! hehehe

My favorite ring!

Coloriffic swap-o-rama June

2006-06-06T06:51:00.000-07:00

Black and White swap!

Coloriffic swap-o-rama June
Originally uploaded by ZAYDAY-Zayunu by Design.

vips-addicted-to-swap- 6TH SENSE

2006-06-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

vips-addicted-to-swap- 6TH SENSE
Originally uploaded by ZAYDAY-Zayunu by Design.

One of my first swaps.

vips-addicted-to-swap-6TH SENSE

2006-06-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

vips-addicted-to-swap-6TH SENSE
Originally uploaded by ZAYDAY-Zayunu by Design.

I made this set especially for my first swap partner. I wanted to make something that embodied all the materials I work with. The green bead was orginally meant to be a cowry shell, but it made the design somewhat off-center. So I used the green lustre bead instead. I was really happy with how the brooch came out, so I decided to extend the design into a neckwrap. Both piece were made in a day.

Children used in A.I.D.S experiments

2006-05-21T02:58:00.000-07:00

While stumbling about online today I came across a site called wanttoknow.info. The site talks about an organisation called Project Censored which specializes in covering the top news stories which were either ignored or downplayed by the mainstream media each year. One of the articles which caught my eyes though was called Child Wards of the State Used in AIDS Experiments. After reading this report I decided to do a little digging for myself, if you have the time check out the following links:

Health Supreme

Indymedia

Post-Gazette.com

AHRP

BBC NEWS

Keep up the good work Project Censored and wanttoknow.info.

SARAH BAARTMAN REMEMBERED

2006-04-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

Today while going through my emails, I came across a message sent to me from a close friend in the U.S. about a film called Sarah Baartman, the Hottentot Venus, about an African woman who was 'imported' to Britain in 1810, so that Londoners could admire her buttocks and genitalia. The London crowd was particularly interested in the shape and size of her posterior which were seen as both an indication of her “oversexed” nature and the inferiority of African women.

To find out more about Sarah Baartman, please go to :

http://www.southafrica.info/ess_info/sa_glance/history/saartjie.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1957240.stm

There is a campaign which calls for complaints to be sent to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and Metro newspaper who published an offensive advert for the film on the Friday 24th February 2006 (page 7). To find out more about the campaign visit:

http://molarawood.blogspot.com/2006/02/date-movie-poster-hottentot-venus.html

After doing a bit of research about Sarah, I found out that her remains has finally been laid to rest, 187 years after she left Cape Town for London. Her remains were buried on Women’s Day, 9 August 2002, in the area of her birth, the Gamtoos River Valley in the Eastern Cape. This is a poem that had been written for her.

A poem for Sarah Baartman
By Diana Ferrus

“I’ve come to take you home –
home, remember the veld?
the lush green grass beneath the big oak trees
the air is cool there and the sun does not burn.
I have made your bed at the foot of the hill,
your blankets are covered in buchu and mint,
the proteas stand in yellow and white
and the water in the stream chuckle sing-songs
as it hobbles along over little stones.

I have come to wretch you away –
away from the poking eyes
of the man-made monster
who lives in the dark
with his clutches of imperialism
who dissects your body bit by bit
who likens your soul to that of Satan
and declares himself the ultimate god!

I have come to soothe your heavy heart
I offer my bosom to your weary soul
I will cover your face with the palms of my hands
I will run my lips over lines in your neck
I will feast my eyes on the beauty of you
and I will sing for you
for I have come to bring you peace.

I have come to take you home
where the ancient mountains shout your name.
I have made your bed at the foot of the hill,
your blankets are covered in buchu and mint,
the proteas stand in yellow and white –
I have come to take you home
where I will sing for you
for you have brought me peace.”

LET ME INSPIRE YOU.......

2006-04-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

This was sent to me from my best friend Blax, who has
alway been my voice of wisdom and reasoning.
I will share with you what she shared with me.......


Let Me Inspire You

I've written a few words down,
let them surround you
I've said some things in my short life,
let what I've said empower you
I've done things that the average man can't do
let that inform you
I've been a few places but have many more to go
let that incite you...
to better life
to better love
to better spirituality
to better children
even better sex
not that anything's wrong with your sexuality
be mindful of your spirit
listen to the voice of your soul
ride the tones of universal awareness
let wisdom grow in you till your old
respect the laws of Mother Nature
overstand the truth of Father Time
pick up a few books and be inspired
let karaam get inside your mind
you are aware
you feel peace
you are happy
you face east
you bow in respect
you have humbled your thoughts
you live to see 120
with all the evolution that you needed
caught

Let me inspire you

karaam

Send me One Million FREE Guaranteed Visitors

A handcrafted bracelet

2006-04-03T15:19:00.000-07:00

Handcrafted Bracelets....Something to Cherish
by: Ariana R. Cherry

Handcrafted bracelets are a piece of jewelry that is something to cherish--and when I say handcrafted--I mean-strung, woven, or wired BY HAND. Sure you can be at Wal-Mart or the latest hip store that might be selling some beaded jewelry in the jewelry section--but most of that has been factory made--in a line of assembly.

A handcrafted bracelet is when an artisan personally picks out the beads and colors him/herself. And then decides on a design, stringing material, and what kind of impression this piece of jewelry should make. There really is alot that goes into the thought process.

I can tell you that I personally create all of my bracelets.... I take a whole evening, or even days to create a special piece. In my jewelry box--you can expect to see that not one design is exactly the same. I get so many compliments on my work that they ask me--where did you buy that?.... (of course the ones who know me well know that I have made it myself, and compliment me on my artwork)--but for those who don't know me, they will just sigh in amazement that it seems almost impossible to create..

So when I say a handcrafted bracelet is something to cherish--I truly mean it. There is so much work from the heart that goes into it-thats why its so hard for a true jewelry artisan to part with his/her jewelry--It becomes a part of us.

--The next time you receive a handcrafted bracelet or any other piece of jewelry--take it as a compliment. It means that you are special to that person and they wanted to find something original and unique to give you...

A handcrafted bracelet is....something to cherish.

ANOTHER HAPPY CLIENT!

2006-02-07T04:51:00.000-08:00

THE AGE I FEEL

2006-01-19T09:52:00.000-08:00

You Are 22 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.

13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.

20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.

30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!

40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

My Last Son

2006-01-06T04:54:00.000-08:00

Lamech - Strong young man

My Second Son

2006-01-06T04:32:00.000-08:00

Kadmon - Up Front

My Eldest Son

2006-01-06T04:30:00.000-08:00

Shelomoh

Nubian Queen Neckpiece - Revised

2006-01-06T04:16:00.000-08:00

When making this Nubian Queen piece for a recent bridal client, I improved on the design slightly by using freshwater pearls and ending each 'sheild' with a gold bead.

Crystal & Diamante Spray Hairpin

2006-01-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

Crystal & Diamante Spray Hairpin
Originally uploaded by ZAYDAY.

Zayunu by Design

GOLD DROP EARRINGS

2006-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

GOLD DROP EARRINGS
Originally uploaded by ZAYDAY.

These earrings were made using a bead weaving technique and a little imagination!

Zayunu

2006-01-05T05:54:00.000-08:00

me with short hair

I have been working in the Jewellery field for 18 years. I started when I left secondary school to do a 2-year Crafts Course in Jewellery foundation Skills at City of London Polytechnic (now the London Metropolitan University. Learning the skills of Diamond Mounting, Gem setting, Casting, Jewellery Design, Silversmithing and Etching. Instead of continuing my studies I decided to start working in Hatton Gardens, to get more practical experience in the trade. My first job was as a jewellery quality control assistant then onto a company dealing in antique jewellery for the Japanese and other overseas markets. Originally joining the company so that I could design and make, but ended up working as a personal assistant. Ever so slightly disgruntled, I moved from there to work for Ratners, dealing with customers and doing the occasional repairs. It seemed like my desire to become a jewellery designer was far out of reach.

After being made redundant from Ratner, I moved into sales. Working in Catering and Graphic supplies. In 1993 my first son, Shelomoh was born and I chose to stay at home to raise him. Still doing the occasional wedding band or repair for friends and family. The goal to become a jewellery designer seemed to be drifting further and further away for me and I found myself working as a delivery assistant in Next. It was around this point in 1998 when my second son, Kadmon was born that I decided that I would give jewellery another chance.

Wanting to explore beading and colour within jewellery, I started looking up books on bead weaving, bought myself a bead loom and started to bead weave as a hobby. After more experimenting with wire and bead and incorporating the metal work techniques that were learned on the Foundation course all those years ago, Zayunu by Design was born.

The name ZAYUNU means in Ancient Sumerian, adornment, to adorn, to beautify.Every piece is handcrafted, made using Silver/Gold Plated & enameled copper. Cowry shells, Swarovski Crystal, Ceramic beads, Clam Shells, Delicas and Seed Beads. ZAYUNU Jewellery is also created using various wire wrapping and Bead weaving techniques that adds texture and character to each piece, so every design is unique.