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Handcrafted African Clay Beaded Jewelry
This jewelry is handcrafted using very special beads made in Africa. These colorful, oh-so-smooth, ceramic beads are handmade at a womens’ project near the foothills of the Kenyan mountains. The first beads were made there over twenty years ago by two women on the lawn of Isak Dinesen’s coffee plantation – the focus of the movie “Out of Africa”. Since then, the project has grown and offered employment to hundreds of illiterate African women who would otherwise be unable to provide for their children and extended families. Although the women have had no formal schooling (illiteracy is prerequisite for employment), they are highly skilled at making these beads.
Clay is trucked from Mt. Kenya to the
project and then placed in a water-extractor. The women then take the clay and
shape every bead by hand. A stick is poked into each
The project is a not-for-profit organization and the women receive fair wages for their work. Increased sales of the beads mean an increased labor force – not an increase of profits. The beads are made into necklaces, earrings and bracelets at the project. The “loose” beads were first introduced for sale in the United States in 2004 by a former Peace Corps volunteer whose tour in Africa occurred “at the turn of the century” when she was seventy years old. These beads are just gorgeous! Most of my necklace designs feature five African beads, bringing focus to the neckline. Seed beads and accent beads are strung around the back of the necklace to showcase the African beads in front, and to maximize comfort. Most styles offer a choice of earring options. The choices include matching or coordinating African beads, and matching seed and/or accent beads. Most styles can be created in either sterling silver or golf-filled. Please keep in mind, because each African bead is handcrafted, colors, sizes, and exact painting may vary slightly from the photos. I encourage you to try a piece. You won’t be disappointed! See our full line of
African Clay Beaded |
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bead to form the hole.
The “greenware” beads are then fired and the resulting “bisque” beads are
painted – sometimes using five different colors on one bead. The beds are fired
again and then glazed and then fired again in an electric kiln. If the
electricity is interrupted (a frequent occurrence), the entire contents of the
kilns could be ruined.