At the foot of the Ngon'g Hills found on the outskirts of Nairobi in Kenya there lays a farm. This farm has become remembered by many as a result of Karen Blixen's 'Out of Africa'. Both book and film's title are translated from the Latin saying which translates to "there is always something new out of Africa.' It just so happens this saying has once again become truth, when almost thirty years ago this truth bestowed upon us the birth of Kazuri Beads.
These stunning and colorful ceramic beads made on the old Blixen estate at Kazuri, have become renowned world-wide. They find themselves featured in the Gratitude Collection. Workers at Kazuri make the exclusive "g" Bead that is part of The Gratitude Collection's Signature series.
Lady Susan Wood, an African-born Englishwoman, and her doctor husband were committed to the welfare of the Kenyan people. In the 1970s Susan Wood founded a small project to help and empower women without any other means of support. That enterprise evolved into Kazuri Beads, a Fair Trade project that empowers local people.
The project whose name means 'small and beautiful' in Swahili began with two women finding themselves at a huge disadvantage. With now hundreds of needy people, many of whom are women, being employed by this endeavor, it is hard to believe it started with only two disadvantaged women and a garden shed. Now many with disabilities, single mothers as well as women left widowed by the Aids epidemic have an option to receive an income to help support their families.
Made from clay found in the foothills of the mountains of the Kenyan Highlands, Kazuri Beads are also providing an income for various farmers in the area. The Kazuri plant processes the clay to remove any impurities that may be found. Added to the raw clay is quartz and feldspar, enabling the work on the beads to be done with clay of higher quality.
The clay is then hand made into ceramic beads that are first baked in the sun before being fired in electric kilns at temperatures above 1100 degrees Celsius. The beads are then individually hand-painted and glazed before being baked again. Quality clay, skilled painting and meticulous quality control mean that the beads are flawless, even though power cuts sometimes disrupt the process and ruin whole batches.
The names of many beads created in this manner evoke their African origin, such as Acacia; Benin Splash or Kalahari. This is African jewelry is styled contemporarily and globally at the same time as in an ethnic, folk art flavor. Whether in bright and vibrant tones or more of an earthy and warm look, the variety of styles and designs of discs, tubes or small shell shapes you are sure to find something that pleases your tastes, whether or not you decide to go with traditional designs or something totally unique to one particular painter.
The women who work at Kazuri Beads do more than just make and paint the beads. The finished beads are made up into many styles of necklace, bracelet and earrings that are exported around the world. Beads are applied to sandals, purses and other items and the project has also ventured into making other ceramic items. - 16036
These stunning and colorful ceramic beads made on the old Blixen estate at Kazuri, have become renowned world-wide. They find themselves featured in the Gratitude Collection. Workers at Kazuri make the exclusive "g" Bead that is part of The Gratitude Collection's Signature series.
Lady Susan Wood, an African-born Englishwoman, and her doctor husband were committed to the welfare of the Kenyan people. In the 1970s Susan Wood founded a small project to help and empower women without any other means of support. That enterprise evolved into Kazuri Beads, a Fair Trade project that empowers local people.
The project whose name means 'small and beautiful' in Swahili began with two women finding themselves at a huge disadvantage. With now hundreds of needy people, many of whom are women, being employed by this endeavor, it is hard to believe it started with only two disadvantaged women and a garden shed. Now many with disabilities, single mothers as well as women left widowed by the Aids epidemic have an option to receive an income to help support their families.
Made from clay found in the foothills of the mountains of the Kenyan Highlands, Kazuri Beads are also providing an income for various farmers in the area. The Kazuri plant processes the clay to remove any impurities that may be found. Added to the raw clay is quartz and feldspar, enabling the work on the beads to be done with clay of higher quality.
The clay is then hand made into ceramic beads that are first baked in the sun before being fired in electric kilns at temperatures above 1100 degrees Celsius. The beads are then individually hand-painted and glazed before being baked again. Quality clay, skilled painting and meticulous quality control mean that the beads are flawless, even though power cuts sometimes disrupt the process and ruin whole batches.
The names of many beads created in this manner evoke their African origin, such as Acacia; Benin Splash or Kalahari. This is African jewelry is styled contemporarily and globally at the same time as in an ethnic, folk art flavor. Whether in bright and vibrant tones or more of an earthy and warm look, the variety of styles and designs of discs, tubes or small shell shapes you are sure to find something that pleases your tastes, whether or not you decide to go with traditional designs or something totally unique to one particular painter.
The women who work at Kazuri Beads do more than just make and paint the beads. The finished beads are made up into many styles of necklace, bracelet and earrings that are exported around the world. Beads are applied to sandals, purses and other items and the project has also ventured into making other ceramic items. - 16036
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Kazuri Beads are an integral part of the Gratitude Jewelry Collection. Visit the site to view these inspirational designs and learn more about the Kenyan beads that add tremendous beauty to these important pieces.
