Blog is up and running

Dear friends and followers of haneefadeclercq.com

We have started our blog and we will post interesting news and links right here, soon.

Please visit and/or subscribe below to stay up to date about what we do and what we offer.

MY ARTISINAL AROUND-THE-WORLD JEWELLERY JOURNEY

My Artisinal Jewellery Journey really began in 2003 when my ex-spouse and I were reassigned to work in the humanitarian field in Khartoum, Sudan. A colleague, mentor and good friend called Valerie Sulpician-Berodier, introduced me to this fascinating world of beads, antiques and everything in-between that could be found at a world-famous market called Omduurman. I remember spending almost every Friday for the three years we lived in Khartoum, visiting this market and buying every unusual bead I could find. It really felt like being in Alladin's Cave! The more I bought, the more I wanted, it was like a being addicted to a very intoxicating drug. Valerie took me to visit her friend - a man who literally had a room-full of beads of every size and colour. He was a collector and had been doing this for years, often travelling to other countries in pursuit of a specimen or two! This man also had books on the history of beads. I was totally fascinated by what I read in these books. On my next trip to Nairobi, Kenya. I ordered this essential book, which taught me the history and the real reason why one could so easily become addicted! I have had this book since 2005 and it is my bead-Bible. When I find an unusual bead I can actually trace it through this book, and get where it originated from. Also, if it is an antique, how old it is. I added to my collection of bead books, treasures I really value.