Week 17-Kazuri Bead and Pyrite Bracelet

I really like using Kazuri beads in my work. They're not only beautiful but the factory in Kenya provides good wages, child care, and health care to disadvantaged women and individuals with special needs. I've combined these with double rows of faceted pyrite beads and oxidized the sterling silver.

Week 2-Some Copper Bracelets

I love using Kazuri beads in my jewelry. Kazuri beads are fair trade beads from Kenya. The factory is on part of the old Karen Blixen coffee plantation (remember the movie Out of Africa) and provides employment opportunities for 350 disadvantaged women who would otherwise be living in extreme poverty. I connected these beads with some coiled copper links to make a chunky and bold bracelet.

This bracelet was made by raiding my spare parts box. I connected the parts with some beautiful 12mm sea green glass beads to make kind of a fun bracelet.

Week 35-Copper Viking Knit with Kazuri Pendant

When I'm at shows I often work on a piece of Viking knit to keep my hands busy. I ended up with this long piece of copper so I pulled it and pulled it until it bacame a neck chain. I made the end cones with 18 gauge wire wrapped around my round nose pliers. I added a slide made with a Kazuri bead and a large smoky quartz drop. Then I lightly oxidized everything. If you're not familiar with Kazuri beads, they are fair trade beads from Kenya. The company was started in 1975 by Lady Susan Wood, the daughter of two British missionaries. Today they have a factory that offers employment opportunities to single mothers, widows, and people with special needs. They offer good wages, favorable working conditions, child care and health care. Some women are supporting extended families of up to 20 people on what they are able to earn there.

I am now officially caught up!