Conversing around.....

So I joined the Optimistic rebel campaign....I am a brand ambassador for Converse South Africa.  So we had a big doo on the 18th of September. I took some snaps from my camera....but essentially I was painting some graffiti/s

treet art on the walls of the Arts on Main,Johannesburg.

Ill keep posting Converse stuff whilst I am an ambassador.....

keep your dial on the blogg,yo!

Newest additions to my sneaker collection.....

 

All Converse......High tops off course

Keep you updated on new sneakers....the stuff you 

don` see in shops.

Converse Weapon in different materials and colours.

Style Johazadously

Give Away!!!!!

Beading dancer is giving away this...oh...so..deliciously Jozi flavoured t-shirt and Massai cowrie earrings.

I will be giving away a TwentyfiveOurs T-shirt and massai
cowrie earrings. The t-shirt is grey and is a size 8. Twenty five Ours
is an Orlando West brand started by a friend of mine, this is one of
his latest prints. If you would like to buy these t-shirts you can
give me a tinkle and I will put you in contact with the brand.

The give away runs from the 1st to the 18th September, all you need to
do to stand a chance of winning this package is send the addies:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=101344202486
http://dancingforwardintime.blogspot.com/

to as many people as you can....these can included websites, social
network profiles, bloggs etc. then send the links of the addies to
bonolo5@gmail.com.
The highest number of hits will amount to the prize.

Good luck to all.....this is really a dope tee to be styling in spring.

The Khaya College N.G.O Fair

Beading Dnacer managed to book a stall at the N.G.O Fair at the Museum Africa down at Newtown. The other N.G.O`s were interesting as they had nothing to do with art...at all. 

Khanya Kollege hosts the Fair every year just before their Book fair, so N.G.O`s are able to showcase what they are about and introduce people their ideals. Ok...don`t get it twisted....My business is not an N.G.O...rather I want to work on projects that uplift and help others..but I have decided that I can try save up for these initiaves than try and wait for funding from somewhere up high in the clouds.

The Illustration workshop by Westley Pepper. I enjoyed this workshop...except I thought we would be illustrating or talking about the methods.  Maybe its the institutions we attend...cause at the Design Center we do the work and talk when we need to....which is different from students I have met from.....the institution that kicks you over the edge...

this was the Keleketla! Library stall. They work with kids in the C.B.D by using art.....

 Beading Dancer stall

        other stalls...at the fair

 

Shooting your own jewellery can be a task and a half. One thing you cannot compromise on is good quality photographs of your products. If your work looks good, chances are someone will buy it...heck,if it looks good and I have the cash,I`ll buy it.

First thing you need to do is decide if you would like to do this.

Second thing is the dates, decide when you would like to do it and dedicate your resources to doing this.

Then what you need to do is decide on your team. If you don`t know how to use a camera, set aside a budget for a photographer. If you would like to use models, decide how many.

Find a venue that will work with your items. I find that if I have a central concept, everything becomes easier.

Once I decided on a day, team and place everything else was pretty much done.

My theme for this was simple enough. My brand is urban,fresh and looks to take the old and renew it. So I looked for a location that says that, I used an old power plant for the venue. I set up a meeting with my photographer to make sure that she understood my brand and the look and feel I would like. A day before the shoot, I took my models to do their hair so that they can sync with the shoot.

I had a photographer that understood my concept and where I wanted to be with the shoot. So I didn`t have to direct the shoot. If you get a first time photographer or a novice you would need to plan out the shots or scenes so that you get the best out of your shoot. Also think about the light, if you aren`t using actual lights.

Always think about lunch, make-up, changing space and the time it will take to shoot.

Another thing to think of is transport for your models and photographer.

The last thing you need to think about, but important is the finance. When do you pay the team?

Besides everything else....shoots are fun and exciting. Have fun shooting your items.

Beading Dancer shoot

Beading,Beading,Beading....




This is from my latest shoot....



These designs are available as well as the artwork...just drop me an email!

These images are available in my catalogue....I will be posting up the How to sometime soon.

Photographer: Lerato Maduna

Walking and staying...with it

     Mpho Molao and Bonolo Ratshid: Same but not different by Sello Pesa

I was walking to the taxi rank this afternoon...saw a monk who nodded a hello form his car. In that moment it was clear that I had been in the same place for some years. In my lifetime(this one) I have been a Lutheran, wiccan and buddhist(almost sort of). This has been a steady climb back to my roots and keeping up "my spirits" in a way.  Realising that I have not had an once of meditation in the last...oh,give or take....three years(except that one time in dance class) leads me to believe I have neglected my spirit in a lot of ways which is why maybe I cannot concentrate that well anymore or keep calm while under pressure. 

My head ended up in the clouds as usual. For some reason when I start thinking about how my spirit has or hasn`t progressed Or when I get into one of those spiritual moments...my day totally deviates into a spiritual-make-ure-life-better days. To make matters worse I was listening to that album that is stuck on repeat on my I-pod....thandiswa mazwai`s Ibokwe hasn`t made it my recently played music since it made it in about a month ago. I guess I agree with the messages. 

Another thing why she is on repeat is she is comfort. At the moment truly wonderful things are occuring in my life...I am not sure if I am appreciating them enough, cause I really do not have enough time for myself. For example I have been meeting too many enlightened souls(sons and daughters of the light....healers), people who under going their training....and my boo`s family is all up in that mix. I have love these peeps, I truly believe they are here to set the balance right and that we all must try pitch in where we can(cause the burden is heavy). 

I guess I am very scared on one side that I am chewing off more than I can chew....but on the other Goddess will not give you what you can`t handle. My peanut`s going away for some time...only Goddess knows and I am left here without partnership...and lots of work. I guess I need to do the work so that when peanut comes back I can afford to stand up on my own. 

I have too much work in terms of business and not enough time cause of school. 

The beading

The painting

the drawing

The sewing

The selling

The marketing

The books

The schoolwork

The clothing

The events

The activism

The projects

The Peanutt Buttah Jahms

The studio

The teaching

It is like before...before Japan. I had too much stuff going on in Jozi....cause I lacked focus and the know-how to turn that energy into cash. Now the cycle is trying to repeat itself even when I have put certain methods to counter act that. We will see if I can conquer this place of gold(metaphorically and literally) before I burn in its cauldron. 

Jarat camping

Monti 

                                                                      

I went to East London last december...not P.E....East London or Monti(depends if you grew up there or not). I had a bit of a tough time cause I was broke but I guess if the universe wills it, you will most often get it. Camping in Desbo`s backyard was an amazing, even more amazing is the feeling of spending time with friends that truly care. 

                                     

I had found myself at the end of my rope somehow during that holiday, but quick trips around East London made sure my spirits were up. If it wasn`t for the wind...it would be an ideal spot to live. East London`s wind factory is crazy, I`m a jozi girl and wind translates to cold. Desbo is currently my pillar of strength I guess that`s what true friends become, even if she lives that far...but my core consultation on anything is her....I am glad I had to wait this long to find a friend like this. 

So went to town and generally chilled which happens to be my favourite passtime(besides actually travelling and dancing).  The backyard was a bit of an adventure, the frogs would sing us to insomnia,the next moment we have dogs running around....poitjiekos the next.

East London always reflective in so many ways...i guess largely cause I have people who reflect the truth back. 

The trip back                                                               

The trip was a trip to forget(really!). I took the trip back with my friend....it was two days before Christmas. I warn anyone who would like to take the train back to Jozi on a sunday, not to. The train was 6hours late....yes 6 HOURS LATE....the apology we got from Metro rail(Shosholoza) were 5 potato slap chips and a piece of meat(Me being vegetarian was not impressed). Somehow client service is not something that is taught in South Africa...I guess we all think saying `Ubuntu` makes us client friendly and replaces client services. 

I was just glad to be home...cause I was about to meet a very special someone(as the universe would have it)      

                                                                                          

The special somebody

I had met my peanut in tertiary, we weren`t very good friends back then. We made another connection at a dance festival I was apart of some time back. Peanut contacted me in december to keep in touch,nje(just). We talked a lot during my trip in Monti....and when I came back...we decided we should at least catch-up. I guess that got the ball rolling and we hit it off. 

At a point in my life when I thought I haven`t been learning much...peanut has really given me a lot to think about. I have been in information overdrive since then....but I can`t remember someone really caring about where I am...if I am safe. And the constant reminders about caring....I guess I haven`t been cared for in a while. I guess that`s what happens when we put ourselves in relationships that are less about both parties and are mainly about the hunter and the gatherer. 

Hunter gatherer relations can be deep and I have only realised this recently. Relations between men and women are just DEEP....and in South Africa they get rough. You could find your open-minded self getting attacked for being open about your values. In this day and age it is still not a good idea to open yourself up to an average African male. If they don`t believe in something...they oppose it...physically or other wise. Expressing your true feelings can be a death wish if you aren`t careful. For some reason the average South African male has been taught that they come first...first in ralationships.....lines....food...ANYTHING. I mean our cultures have been diluted that men can feel like you don`t have a choice in a decision and they have the right to take a decision for you. 

This of course means women in general do not contribute to decisions....decisions in financial decisions, activities,relationship decisions....and sexual issues.  The funny thing is that most of these traditionalist men don`t read or build themselves as people because when you think you are gods gift to this earth...why improve. This has cause a lotta problems in our society...its let men think that the word`RESPONSIBILITY` is something someone needs to do once in their life. 

This is deeper than age cause....I met a pretty young fellow..someone in their early twenties(maybe even in their 9-teens) they were telling me a women needs to cook for them cause he can`t have it any other way. He states that because his dad never touches a pot...he can`t either. And I thought that kind of thinking died when Steve Biko was fighting for black conciousness....unfortunately that became a buzz word instead of a movement. You can`t lift a finger for yourself when your mind is in your way....                        

Ok...so i go off-line sometimes..so I came back and I busted my way into town,then hid in the undergroves of love and life. And its been good...I don`t think I have put this much of myself in a relationship. I haven`t go this much out of a relationship either...it`s chipped away so much gunk....peeled away so many layers off my introvert-self that keeps me at arms length from my true self. It is amazing how another person can have that impact on you. Make you realise how much you needed to be awakened in one aspect of your life. It is DEEP!

So now...

I am reading a book borrowed for peanut, "Eat, Pray,Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. The book is divided into three parts...eat,pray and love. There is a mesage of praying through out the whole book. Spirituality is dealt in different ways or manners....through food...prayer and love. I find it amazing that I am reading this book, it has had an impact on how I view my life. Elizabeth covers topics through travelling and meeting people. Although she does start off with her divorce close to the end you realise that you could have been in that bad relationship, only you were lucky enough not to have married that person. 

Check it out.....Im still on the last chapter and taking my time reading it(cause I don`t like to finish good books too quick)

                        

Egontshini

Egontshini

I find myself sinking more and more into arts and crafts....i mean the name makes it sound bad.....but it is handmade art...BEAUTIFUL!!!

I am trying to get my name up(in the end)....will be trying two more stores this week and an online American shop. Im thinking that I need to sustain myself....I love drawing,sketchig...making things....even if it is dead in the middle of the night...I always have time for that last piece. 

It isnt getting any easier with school on the one side....and a business on the side. But(no sentence should start with it) this is how it is if you don`t want to work in an office and you want to have your own office. 

So this month is hectic........

 The event is hosted by Egontshini.

Im organising a market in Jozi, Newtown by Kospotong.

date: 28th February,2010

venue: Ko`spotong resturant, Newtown, Johannesburg

noon till late night

WHAT IS EGONTSHINI?

Egontshini is a Gauteng based company which is situated at a flea market in Newtown opposite the Market Theater. The company is involved in the distribution, sales and marketing of young, alternative up and coming pioneering designers and artists. We are an incubator for designers, where they can feel natured and where they can let their creative juices flow. 

Egontshini in 'kasi lingo' is an underground unknown space where people discover a box of treasures. We specialize in vintage, old-skool designer wear and clothing and specially designed unique accessories. 

Egontshini's target market is anybody and everybody who loves art, design, clothing and music we have no age limit and because of the various designers we work with we cater to everybody's sense of style and fashion. We are not limiting ourselves to any specific place or region but we're positively aiming for the world. Egontshini caters for the alternative market that seeks fresh,local products that cater for them as South Africans. We also cater for anyone that has their own sense of style but do not really follow the mass fashion trends.