African Jewelry

I have been able to find alot of treasures while being in Africa. I have bought so many cute little gifts and the best part is, nearly everything I have found is hand made. My favorite things I have found so far include a goatskin knife for my best friend/brother, wood earrings and some dresses. But my most favorite thing of all has been the African Paper Necklaces and Bracelets.
They are made in huge batches because it is so time consuming (so I have been told...) but the process involves cutting pieces of newspaper, magazines or any type of paper into long triangle shapes, starting one end around a wire to create the hole for the string and then rolling the paper as tight as possible to make little (or big) beads. Varnish is added as a glue and as a waterproofer. They are not painted or touched at all with color. That is what makes them so unique. The bead is simply whatever color the paper used is. After all of the beads are made, the women sort through the beads and try to find ones that are matching as close as possible. They make necklaces, bracelets and earrings with these beads. And let me tell you... They are beautiful.
I have bought all of these beads from the mamas at ABC because I know where the money is going and it is nice to help them out just that much more.. One night I was talking to *S*, She is Danyne's Night Supervisor and works so hard. She is usually really quiet and self consious (why? I don't know... she is absolutely beautiful to top off her amazing personality) but once you get her talking... She is so funny. Anyways, she was telling me about her mom and how her brother died at work from his co-workers poisoning him so her mom took in her grandchildren and is now raising an extra 2 kids as well as 5 of her own. *S*'s mom makes these beads to help support her newly expanded family and get her grandchildren to school. Well, I got to thinking... These beads are fancy enough to dress up with and casual enough to wear with everything. You can wear them in the bath and when I showed my sister via webcam them she got really excited...
So I am bringing home ALOT of extra necklaces and bracelets and selling them for S. Once I have sold all of them, I will be sending a moneygram directly to S's Moms bank account. All of the money will go to S.
I am going to be honest and tell you all that like everything in Africa, for me to purchase these beads it is fairly inexpensive. I am obviously going to try and make S and her family as much money as possible because I feel like it is so important to help out. So, I am going to come home and sell the necklaces for $15 and the bracelets for $5.
Please either email, call or leave a message on Facebook or here and I will make sure everyone gets what they want. If you have any color requests, let me know and I will see what I can do.
I am so excited to be able to help S and her family. Thank you.



*Kwagala Nyo