By: ornamento.blog
Abija, Africa, African Trading Beads, Amber, Art, art, creativity, crafts, inspiration, blogging, Blogroll, Brass, Copal, Crafting Traditions, Design, Ethnic Groups, history, inspiration, jewelry, Personal Growth, Personal History, Polymer Clay, South Africa, Travel, Urban Artifacts, Zulu

African Beads

To me, the words Africa and beads go together like Romulus and Remus, Baskin and Robbins or Damon and Runyon. In fact, I started working in polymer clay because I wanted to replicate millefiore African trading beads.

So last year, when I was lucky enough to travel in South Africa
I bought beads and bead work in dinky little stores, outdoor markets and anywhere else I could.

I found the beads you see above at a wonderful store in Capetown called Bead Merchants of Africa.  The beads are are brass Abijas, blue glass, amber/copal, and millefiore trading beads. Most of these beads are not native to South Africa, but Bead Merchants carries everything!

I have designed a necklace with them and just need to put it together. Alas, it sits unfinished in my workshop! When it is finished, you’ll be the first to see it.