At Bakau Beadworks I design and make necklaces, bracelets and earrings. My pieces combine vibrant handmade glass beads from West Africa with the beauty of natural gemstones and splashes of facetted crystal.
I work with beads from a number of African countries, but most often my designs are inspired by the the glass beads of the Krobo people of Ghana.These glass beads are hand-moulded in an array of shapes and sizes and within a batch of beads each one is slightly different. Krobo beads are produced in an amazing array of colour combinations and decorative detail ranging from strong and bright to very subtle.
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.
My pieces are made to be worn and enjoyed, each piece is is designed and made by hand often evolving as I study the beads and explore the potential combinations.
