Frayed Sun

I listed twenty one pairs of earrings earlier this week (yes, 21!!). So, I'm spoilt for choice on which to share today. I'm going with these:

I got the fabulous krobo beads a few weeks ago. They came on a satisfyingly hefty strand - one of those lovely-to-hold, hard-to-cut-up ones. As I sat happily holding the strand, enjoying the piped white flourishes on each bead, I remembered these vintage enamel bead caps that I had. I had them in pale blue, but I knew I'd seen some white ones somewhere. Of course, I had to track them down and order some.

The blistered ceramic drops at the bottom are some headpins that I made. I've also added some slim black wheels of African recycled glass, and some fluted vintage brass beads.  They're listed here on Etsy.

Bye for now, Claire 

www.somethingtodo.etsy.com

www.somethingtodobeads.etsy.com

www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com

Changing Hands

My design features bright and funky enameled hand charms that I found on Sunday at a local Bead Bazaar, paired with powder glass Krobo beads from Ghana. The charms were made by Sara Lukkonen, and I thought they might be a fun way to help send a message. Personally, I love ethnic art and so it is not surprising that I like to use African beads in my designs. If more people were aware of the story behind these beautiful beads, they would grow even more popular.

It is uncertain how long the powder glass beads have been made in Africa, but these days they come mostly from the Krobo region of Ghana in West Africa, handmade from recycled glass by Ashanti and Krobo people. The beads play a part in local traditions, worn to identify families or to demonstrate wealth or social position. Bead making and other creative arts bring tourism to African countries and provide income for more and more people.

Krobo Beads: Bidding for Tourism Boom – By Kofi Akpabli

For more information on the process of making powder glass beads, click here. It really is a labor intensive method, but the result is well worth it.

Gloria Ewing
Chrysalis Jewelry on Artfire
Chrysalis Too on Etsy