Stock up on quirky or classic decor

DECORATING your home and your Christmas tree has never been this much fun – from sparkling baubles to colourful angels, there is a festive style everywhere.

The Independent on Saturday visited some spots where locally crafted festive decor items are for sale.

First stop was The Shop at the KZN Society of Arts in Bulwer Road, Glenwood, where we also found a local crafter displaying his wares outside.

Valentine Ntombeni makes all his items by hand, one bead at a time. The range is mostly Christmas orientated.

“I started making my Christmas decor last week, and made these angels, reindeer and trees. They are very popular every year, I sell a lot. There are many tourists who like to buy them,” he said. They start at R15. He also sells the popular tree of life in a circle, beaded flowers and animal keyrings. The shop itself sells items all sourced exclusively from the province, and include colourful wire angels, beaded baubles in traditional colours such as a white and gold, and Christmas cards.

We then went to the African Art Centre in Florida Road, to see its “African Christmas” exhibition, which ends on December 24.

Local crafters such as Happiness Dladla, Dumsile Mathe, Thokozane Mathe, and Ntombi Mbambo have contributed.

The exhibition, said centre director Magdalene Reddy, features beads, wood, embroidered ornaments and telephone wire works.

FESTIVE FARE: Artist Valentine Ntombeni shows off his specially designed Christmas range of bead work for the home and tree.

ROGUES’ GALLERY: These wooden faces of people are a likely talking point in your home. They are R75 each from the African Art Centre.

BAUBLES AND BEADS: A bright red star is on sale at the African Art Centre in Florida Road. RIGHT: Using colourful beads and wire, these trees make lovely gifts. They are sold by Valentine Ntombeni outside the KZNSA.

NON-TRADITIONAL: This star and angel (above and right) add a burst of colour to the Christmas tree.