Hearts Desire Creations: jewelry with a cause!©

African Trade Beads and Snake Vertebrae:

I love anything Africa! I buy my beads from “African Village” at the Tucson International Bead Show from a man from the Krobo region of Ghana (West Africa). Artisans make use of scrap glass, which is ground into fine powder as it has been for centuries. The glass powder is then carefully formed into patterns and placed into hand-made clay molds covered in kaolin. The beads are fired, further decorated, washed, and strung.   The beads shown here are old Trade Beads originated from 18th century or even earlier.