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Monday, July 9, 2012

Feedback: Musical Instruments: Barbara Lyons, US

THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL!! EVERY BIT AND MORE OF WHAT I EXPECTED. I am REALLY pleased with the drum cases. The quality is superior. I'm sorry I didn't order 8; but, live and learn. The talking drums are a real kick. I know my kids (grown ones too) will love them.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Feedback: Musical Instruments: Victoria Rose, US

My drum arrived yesterday - that was speedy - I love it!!! It's beautiful. Many thanks and blessings to you for all your help and consistent communication with me.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Feedback: Textiles: Mudcloth blind

A customer sent us this picture of the blinds they made using our mudcloth.    They give this room  a warm African feel           

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Gallery: Process: Recycled Glass Beads Workshop

Beads made from recylced glass are one of our most popular bead items. Their colour and form invite touch and as each bead is individually made, each is unique. How they are made is documented below.










First moulds of different sizes are made. To see how the moulds are made see the Powder Glass Beads Workshop page.   



Recycled glass is crushed by hand. Unlike with powder glass beads, dyes and colours cannot be added so the glass used must be the right colour for the resulting bead.   



The resulting crushed glass mixture is called "fritt". For recylced glass beads the glass does not have to be crushed to a fine powder. Some larger pieces can be left as they melt down during the baking process.       



The fritt is then used to fill the moulds. As with powder glass beads the moulds are coated with a fine mixture of kaolin clay and water before being filled to prevent sticking.   



A tray of moulds for a larger sized bead filled with fritt.   
        



   
The moulds are put into a kiln to be baked. The kiln has to be hot enough to melt down the lumps of glass in the fritt.   



From experience the bead makers know the right temperature and how long to leave the moulds in the kiln to achieve the right degree of melting.   




When the right temperature has been reached the beadmaker takes out the mould. He uses two awls - one to hold down the mould and the other to shape bead.   
        
He spins the gather of glass round to shape it and then flips it over to shape the other side.   

 

Here you can see the hole made by one of the awls... this is skilled work which has to be done quickly before the glass cools.  


        
The finished results. Beads made from recycled glass in blue tones...


   
    
     ... and in earth tones. These beads and others made from recycled glass are available on eShopAfrica.com   










Sunday, March 4, 2012

Ahene Pa Nkasa New Line

eShopAfrica.com is pround to present the 2012 line of designer jewellery from Ahene Pa Nkasa. This jewellery range is designed by Trish Graham who uses a wide range of African beads to produce her high quality necklace and earring sets. She also works with the local artisan community helping them improve their quality and export potential. See the full line



Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Beads Cocktail Necklace

Creativity has no beginning and no end, so does the art of bead designing it always re-emerges in different forms and contexts. Beads in Ghana symbolizes links among people in different ways through all aspects of life, it also represents the link between heritage,creativity and change. This necklace includes beads made from wide variety of materials, coral,trade beads, ebony, coconut shells,recycled brass, recycled glass, seeds and stone.it is a piece of variety of beads used by Ghanians in different cultural and traditional occasions.
The weight is 2kg.
email us for more info or if you have any questions: info [at] eShopAfrica.com.