The title of the book and film 'Out of Africa' is derived of the Latin translation meaning 'There is always something new out of Africa'. At the foot of the Ngon'g Hills in Nairobi; Kenya's capital city, lays the farm immortalized by the works of Karen Blixen. Almost three decades ago, the saying that there is always something new has once again has proven itself to be true. It has resulted in 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.
Meaning 'small and beautiful' in Swahili, the project that began with two disadvantaged women working in a garden shed now provides employment for several hundred needy people, especially women. It has created a source of income for many women who would otherwise have had few options to provide for themselves and their families, including many women with disabilities, single mothers and women widowed by the Aids epidemic that has swept through Africa.
Kazuri Beads are made from clay sourced from the foothills of the mountains of the Kenyan Highlands, providing an income for small farmers in the area. The clay is processed in the Kazuri plant to remove impurities. Feldspar and quartz are added and the raw material is further treated to create a high quality clay.
Once this initial process is complete, the clay is then hand made into ceramic beads which bake in the sun prior to being fired at about 1100 degrees Celsius in electric kilns. Each bead is individually hand-painted and glazed before the 2nd baking period. With the meticulous quality control, quality clay and the skilled painting of each bead ensures the beads are flawless. Entire batches have been lost due to power cuts disrupting the entire process.
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.
Women at Kazuri Beads do so much more than just make and paint the beads. They also put the beads together in finished products such as necklaces, bracelets and earrings which are then exported around the world. You can find beads applied to sandals or purses, and other items as well. The project has also been venturing out into making other ceramic items. - 15255
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.
Meaning 'small and beautiful' in Swahili, the project that began with two disadvantaged women working in a garden shed now provides employment for several hundred needy people, especially women. It has created a source of income for many women who would otherwise have had few options to provide for themselves and their families, including many women with disabilities, single mothers and women widowed by the Aids epidemic that has swept through Africa.
Kazuri Beads are made from clay sourced from the foothills of the mountains of the Kenyan Highlands, providing an income for small farmers in the area. The clay is processed in the Kazuri plant to remove impurities. Feldspar and quartz are added and the raw material is further treated to create a high quality clay.
Once this initial process is complete, the clay is then hand made into ceramic beads which bake in the sun prior to being fired at about 1100 degrees Celsius in electric kilns. Each bead is individually hand-painted and glazed before the 2nd baking period. With the meticulous quality control, quality clay and the skilled painting of each bead ensures the beads are flawless. Entire batches have been lost due to power cuts disrupting the entire process.
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.
Women at Kazuri Beads do so much more than just make and paint the beads. They also put the beads together in finished products such as necklaces, bracelets and earrings which are then exported around the world. You can find beads applied to sandals or purses, and other items as well. The project has also been venturing out into making other ceramic items. - 15255
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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.
