I live in Christchurch, New Zealand with my husband John, our son Jonathan,14 and daughter Clara 12 , 2 dogs Rosie and Nutmeg, 3 cats,Pickle ,Truffle and Topaz , a nameless gold fish, whistling tree Frogs, and mountain minnows
John and I both have worked as psychiatric nurses for 28 years and we are both gainfully employed at our city's Psychiatric Hospital, Hillmorton.
When in Nelson at a Gallery in 2003,
John bought me the most beautiful bead for my birthday.
It is a large pendant , and one one you can't miss.
This really wonderful bead had been made by New Zealand Glass Artist Ray Ansin of Dunedin.
From there I became totally fascinated in glass beads, I guess that I had never considered that someone actually made them!.
Beads have a very interesting history amazing to think that they were considered so precious that people were traded into slavery for them. The famous Venetian beads AKA african trade beads.
From there a journey has started for me, one that now has me producing my own line of beads and jewellery, that really are
Wearble Art, Individual style !
I see my creations are never being in fashion but my hope is that they embellish one's persona for years to come, but most of all make you feel special.
I will soon be adding beautiful NZ made pewter and bead embellished bookmarks and handmade glass buttons to my wee shop.
I am a self taught lampworker and strive to maintain my own style, hence my own original creation- the lampwork kiwi.
I guess my little Kiwi beads are what is known as my signature bead.
They are alway made into cute pendants. The idea gift for the girls and guys embarking on their OE. Worn like a ST Christopher.
Why the name Claybraes??
My family immigrated to New Zealand in DEC 1967 from St Andrews, Fife in Scotland.
My great grandparents farm was called Claybraes.
Heavens ,it is now just a wee road in St Andrews
so what better name for my wee business!
Just briefly....
I love the clean lines of Austrian Swarovski 30 % lead Crystal and I use only swarovski in my made up pieces of my art.
I have chosen Thai Tribal Silver to enhance my beads. It is 97 % to 99.9% pure handcrafted , stamped and woven silver.
It produces a different look to sterling which is only 92.5% silver.
It starts with a dull Patina, but with wear it becomes brilliantly shiny and wonderful to wear, it kind of takes on a life of its own just like pearls whan worn next to the skin...
The combination of my handmade beads , the gorgeous swarovski and the tribal silver really are very special and compliment each other beautifully.
The final one off creations are never a disappointment.
THANKS FOR YOUR VISIT TO CLAYBRAES
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