You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for large chunky glass beads from Africa.
This bold collection of 17 sandcast beads, have been handmade by the Krobo people of Ghana using the same traditional tools and adopting similar methods as their ancestors have done for centuries – quite remarkable.
Weighing in at approximately 175 grams, the crudely shaped beads in this selection measure between 20-28mm and come with a generous 4-6mm threading hole.
As you can see from the photo – the beads come in a variety of colours – including brown, beige, topaz, clear, olive, green and blue with each bead uniquely different from the next.
They’re rough and ready and would provide lots of potential for creativity for those artisans with a bent for creating amazing tribal, ethnic or boho-inspired jewellery such as necklaces, bracelets and leg bangles.
And very affordable at $2 cents each.
So how are these wonderful beads made?
Firstly, old bottles, broken glass, jars and clay are sorted into colour groups then pulverised separately into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle.
The powder of choice is poured into specially designed molds, in order to produce layers and distinctive patterned designs.
The stem of a Cassava plant is then placed through the centre of the powder to form the hole in the bead.
The molds containing the powdered layers are then heated at an extremely high temperature in crude wood-burning kilns – which initiates the powder to liquify into a molten solution that will cook the bead to perfection - while the Cassava stem burns out.
The accompanying photos illustrate what to expect in your order, while some images have been enlarged to show detail.