Lynda Pedersen was first introduced to Scandinavian beadwork by her mother-in law, Ruth Pedersen, who brought beaded gifts with her on numerous visits to Australia during the 1970s. Looking back, she laughs at how they must have sounded: neither really fluent in the other's language, yet managing to teach/learn a new craft.

By 1987 Lynda had begun designing her own patterns, teaching through Adult Education, and the family was importing glass beads from Japan. So the wholesale company was born. OLAF stands for Ove (Lynda's husband), Lynda And Freya (their daughter who works full-time in the business).

The company supplies beads and patterns to over 200 shops in Australia and New Zealand. There are now 8 beadwork pattern books and 45 individual patterns. Many of the designs are the family's own, but they also buy original patterns from other beadworkers.

In 1999 a retail outlet was opened in an 1840s heritage-listed cottage in Morphett Vale, a suburb of Adelaide. The cottage and garden itself are a great draw-card, being unique in Australia, and it also houses an extensive collection of beadwork in its small gallery. Amongst the collection is beadwork from Greenland, North and South America, Africa, the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Guinea, Scandinavia, Europe and Asia. African trade beads, old handmade beads and those made from natural materials rub shoulders with contemporary beadwork and modern handcrafted beads.

Address: 1 Church St Morphett Vale, S.A. 5162
Open 10-4 Wed- Sun
Phone: (08) 8326 0833 Fax: (08) 8326 2411