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by: NicoleMaschwitz
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Word Count: 475

Africa is a country well known for its incredible works of art. Their stone and wood sculptures are known to most, but as of late the most appealing works of art are their amazing beadwork. This technique has been past down through the generations hundreds of years in fact.

In times gone by works of art have been made using anything from eggs to seeds, also stones and metal. However these latest artworks have been made using glass beads.

First came the discovery of glass beads by the Egyptians, eventually trade routes were set up with the people of South Africa, trading was common, Ivory and and other valuables were traded for glass beads.

The South Afrcans began constructing objects using the glass beads with the help of wire. The designs they created were absolutley beautiful, the designs included cars, flowers, and almost any animal. The frame is made of a galvanised wire and then decorated with colored beads.

In Africa many families are very poor and they could not afford glass beads. Families started making toys from just wire. The popularity of the wire structures became so popular with overseas tourists, they started extending the art form by adding the coloured glass beads to their designs. You can now find designs anywhere from drums to cars. Even security guards at night starting decorating their "Knockberries" with bright colourful telephone wire, just to keep them awake during their night watch.

In the earlier days copper colour coded wires were used in their creations. One can now find wire sculptures of musical instruments, animals, bicycles fashioned from steel wire. These sculptures can be found not only in studios but also roadside stands and markets. These would make truly unique gifts.

Looking at this artwork will amaze you, once you see how much work and passion was put into each creation. Some trees are fashioned from wire, sticking into a piece of wood, and the leaves on the tree are twisted in such a way that they look real. You will also find such things as wire beaded bowl sets, bracelets, beautifully designed animals of every sort, you will also see motorcycles designed in many different colors. Colorful plates made from wire, and matching under plates can also be seen.

Many of the Crafters began selling their art in public flea markets, instead of just roadside stands in order to bring more customers. However alot of artisans realized their talents and started opening up art shops and galleries to display their creative works.

If you know someone who fancies cultural art from many different cultures, or just one particular culture, wire art would make a unique gift, in their collection, it will definitely draw attention to any art collection, with such prominent colors.

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