aPerfectMoment

I fell in love with African beading when I purchased my first Zulu necklace many years ago. At the time I told myself, "Well, maybe I can do that, too." Many years and many necklaces later, I'm finally getting them close to right - "Perfect," says my husband. And it was my son's girlfriend, the art major, who told me, "You've got to put these on Etsy!" They're all my own designs, and all inspired from that first Zulu necklace.

Recently, I fell in love again - this time with the polished gleam of Kazuri beads. "Kazuri" means "small and beautiful" in Swahili, and when you put these beads down, your hands ask for them back. But it was more than just the feel and the vibrant colors that attracted me: Kazuri Ltd., a member of the Fair Trade Federation, pays disadvantaged women more than three times the national wage to handcraft the beads - to take Mt. Kenyan clay, give it shape, and fire it silky smooth in kilns - a process that abides by and honors the tradition of the Kikuyu tribe.

I taught elementary school for some 37 years and retired last year. Retirement is swimming, walking, reading, gardening, and working on my jewelry for my Etsy Shop.

For as long as I can remember, I've enjoyed designing and making things which usually ended up as gifts for family and friends. It's nice that there is a site where I can share and offer up my work for sale.

Watch a video on youtube of me talking about the history of kazuri beads and zulu necklaces. Copy and paste the link into your browser.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXxJW05o_64#t=1124