Description
Beaded bracelet – recycled glass.
All the work from this supplier is handmade from recycled glass handmade beads. The bead making is a project to create employment and empowerment. The project is sponsored by Mintek which is a South African company. Apart from making beads the project also makes jewellery.
Amaso Background
The Glass Bead Making Incubator is called “Amaso” which means Beads in isiXhosa, one of South Africa’s 11 official languages.
Xhosa Beadwork made in South Africa from recycled glass handmade beads.
The projects (totally owned by the rural women) have been set up in various areas throughout South Africa to manufacture unique hand made beads and jewellery : combining style with excellent design and giving the members of these communities the opportunity to create a better life for themselves and their children.
Combining Unique Bead Making and Jewellery Design Skills with South African Community Upliftment
Beadwork has always been associated with African craft and jewellery making. Originally these beads were made from natural materials such as wood, ostrich shell, copper, gold and clay but these bead-making skills were lost as an abundance of glass and plastic beads entered the continent from abroad. It was found that the manufacture of indigenous South African jewellery based on historic methods had completely disappeared.
To alleviate the problem, Mintek developed a process whereby recycled glass bottles were utilised to manufacture traditional looking glass beads for stringing into jewellery.
Women from Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Limpopo, Free State and Gauteng have been trained to make the beads and to put them into jewellery and lifestyle products such as serviette rings and cushions.
So far four bead making units have been set up for these women where they are able to make and sell both the jewellery and beads. The Glass Bead Making Incubator is called “Amaso” which means Beads in isiXhosa, one of South Africa’s 11 official languages.
