Kazuri (Swahili for “small and beautiful”) beads are handmade ceramic beads made in Kenya, and not only are they beautiful, they have a great story behind them. In 1975, Lady Susan Wood started a small bead-making company to employ two disadvantaged Kenyan women. That enterprise has grown over the years into an operation that employs over 120 Kenyans, paying fair wages and providing full health care, especially to single mothers with no other source of support. It is considered an honor to work there, and the wages earned there allow some women to provide for as many as 20 extended family members in an area with very high unemployment. Kazuri is a member of the Fair Trade Act.
Each bead is shaped by hand, without the aid of moulds or forms. The beads are then polished and kiln fired, painted and fired again. The resulting beads are beautiful, high-quality, and special.
Blue happens to be one of my favorite jewelry colors, and my customers tell me I’m not alone 
Those of us who love blue have a lovely selection of gemstones available to us, and I’ll bet you haven’t even heard of some of these! (more…)
As a USA based artist, I find it important to mention that not all fine jewelry artists are in the USA, and not all makers of handmade jewelry in the USA produce quality pieces. One of the glass lampwork bead makers I most admire is Gail Kopps in Germany, and one of the finest jewelry artists emerging in the market today is Magdelena Bjorko of Cyprus. Murano Italy is home to some of the finest glass bead makers in the world (and there is a thriving market for Murano knockoffs).
Handmade jewelry constructed in China and other emerging-economy countries is often the product of exploited and low-paid workers, who are often subject to unpleasant and unsafe working conditions. When you purchase a piece of fine handmade jewelry sold directly by the artist or from a gallery commissioning their work, you know that the artist has set a price that is fair to them, and that you are supporting their craft. (more…)
Why spend more money on a piece of fine jewelry made from solid sterling silver, real gemstones, or other premium materials when you can pick up a mass produced imitation? The casual observer won’t be able to tell the difference, so why spend the extra money? Not so very long ago, this is how I felt about jewelry.
Sure, I noticed that every piece of cheap jewelry I owned fell apart, became discolored, or broke. Yes, I was saddened to see several favorite necklaces and bracelets deteriorate to the point where they had to be thrown out. This was before I started on the path to learning about jewelry design and construction. (more…)
