Africa is a treasure trove of beads

I went to Africa with a passion for textiles. As I travel, learn more and discover more, that passion has grown to encompass other traditions, such as bead making.

When I first went to Ghana and met long-time resident and beaded jewellery artist Trish Graham, I discovered the incredible bead culture there. And so, I became hooked on beads as well.

Now, where ever Trish and I travel together in West Africa, I spend almost as much time hunting for beads as I do for fabric!

Recycled glass beads from Ghana

Nothing gets wasted in Africa! Ghanaian bead artists transform recycled glass - including bottle glass! - into colourful beads. Some beads are simply polished, others are painted with intricate patterns.

In Ghana, beads have been an important part of the culture for centuries. Today, these modern recycled beads help keep the culture alive by replicating old designs first seen when traders arrived from Europe.

More about recycled glass beads

View recycled bottle glass beads

View recycled powdered glass beads

View recycled Ntaka glass beads

Recycled brass beads from Ghana

These amazing brass beads are hand-made in Ghana using the ancient "lost wax" method.

This is the same technique that was used to cast the famous Benin Bronzes, now in the British Museum.

More about recycled brass beads

View recycled brass beads

Shells and other natural beads from West Africa

Africans have always used shells and other natural beads as adornment and that tradition is still strong today.

Take the cowrie shell. It's used in jewellery and as an embellishment on textiles. Historically, it's been used as money. In fact, the Ghanaian currency, the Cedi, actually translates as "cowrie".

View shells and natural beads