About...
The Krobo community have been making beads for many generations, and in recent years they have made a range of beads from recycled glass. I particularly like working with these beads which are often uneven and subtly coloured, my favourite shade of bead is apparently made from recycled Bombay Sapphire gin bottles.
I first discovered these beads in 2002 when I was getting to know traders and craftspeople in Bakau, a town in The Gambia, for our fair trade import company www.goodiesfromthegambia.co.uk. Gambian markets sell beads from all over West Africa, and as well as the Ghanaian beads, I can often find beads from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. My original trading partners have continued to supply me with increasing numbers of beads as I have developed my jewellery making, and this has enabled me in return to expand the amount of fair trade business we can do together.
Every time I go back there is something different to find, sometimes my bead hunts turn up vintage beads and occasionally I find millefiori trade beads which were made in Europe and traded as currency in Africa for hundreds of years. I have been known to go through traders' pots of odd beads and broken necklaces in case there is a special bead to be found!
I also use high quality gemstone beads in my designs The natural qualities of stones such as turquoise, amber, lapis lazuli, carnelian, peridot and Dalmatian jasper complement the glass beads beautifully. I work with ethically traded gemstones from reliable suppliers and avoid altered ones. A few facetted crystal beads are irresistible.
My pieces are made to be worn and enjoyed, and with this in mind I use strong doubled multi-strand 0.18in/.46mm beading wire for stringing necklaces and bracelets. All clasps and ear hooks are made of sterling silver. Necklaces and bracelets come in a range of lengths, and each one comes with a free gift bag made from African hand-dyed fabric.
