Bead-making an industry in West Africa
Olivier starts to decorate a bead
Ten years ago in West Africa, I bought too many bead bracelets and necklaces, so I wasn’t particularly in the market as a shopper when we visited Kapolei in the Ivory Coast.
Bead-making is an industry in this small village. We were lucky enough to be welcomed in to Olivier’s place where he explained the craft (in French) and demonstrated how beads are decorated.
Beads before decorating and a small piece of clay on the left
Bowls of large decorated beads
A bead is placed on a long thin stick, which is then balanced and spun on the artist’s foot. The colours are all natural and are applied with the tiniest of chicken feathers.
Olivier’s shop was filled with already-made jewellery sets (bracelet, necklace and earrings) in a vast array of sizes and colours, as well as baskets of loose beads. Of course, we all shopped. Even me.
Jewellery sets in an array of colours
Olivier applies yellow to a large bead
Where to next? 
WOW! All so beautiful!
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Truly irresistible.
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Wonderful to see that ancient craft carrying on today, in exactly the same was as it must have been done for centuries. No wonder you bought something, Peggy. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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You’re right. I bet the craft has changed very little.
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I would sit there for hours simply watching. I bet it takes an insane amount of patience to be able take part in bead-making.
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Yep, patience and creativity.
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Yes, ma’am!
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How wonderful and such a painstaking way to paint with a tiny feather…It must have been awesome to watch:) x
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It was fantastic. I’ve seen lots of beads in Africa, but this is the first time to see them being decorated.
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Beautiful colors makes the world go round… and hard to resist not buy some beautiful beads. Interesting to see some hand made crafts are still going on.
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Still lots of handmade crafts here. Stay tuned for more posts about them.
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Interesting post. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Gary, thinking of you.
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So very enticing
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Yeah, try not to buy some!
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🙂
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Gorgeous photo of the bead-making foot – wonderful post. Thank you.
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I like that photo best too.
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Not one drop of paint on the guys foot… !
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Amazing that they can paint and work these small beads like they do, so colourful. If you have too many you’ll have to get on with making some necklaces surely?
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I have friends who work with beads and will have to share with them.
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🙂
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I had no idea how much labor goes into making a bead. They are gorgeous. Now I know the story behind them, I’ll look more carefully at these lovely beads.
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Great point Sharon. We often forget how labour intensive handmade pieces can be.
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I would have bought loads! Lovely post.
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Yep, such a huge temptation.
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Reblogged this on TSSREVIEWSDOTCOM and commented:
writing and pictures from Peggy Bright of Where to Next?
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Many thanks for the reblog.
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Had some of those once. They went out the door with my first wife. 🙂
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Should I buy you some more?
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Fun offer, Peggy. 🙂 But we are fine. Thanks. –Curt
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Amazing. I never would have given a thought that beads would be home made. So much work.
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A lot of work and very detailed.
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Such a small thing. Such a lot of work. Amazing patience and creativity.
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Patience and a very steady hand.
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I`m not sure how I managed to miss this post until now ( but it could have something to do with a trip to Canberra for a small girl’s 5the birthday…)
Anyway, these beads are gorgeous. I’d love to have seen him painting them.
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I have lots more photos that I can show you next time we catch up.
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Love these beads. I think I’d be seduced into buying too, no matter how many I had.
Alison
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I used a little bit of restraint.
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Wow! Such a balance of nature and human artistry. I’m glad you stopped by, even if you weren’t in the market to buy. 😉
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I did buy a little bit. How could I resist?
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I know I couldn’t! 🙂
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It was eye-opening to see how labour intensive the bead-making is.
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I don’t think I have ever thought about how natural beads are made. Beautifully simple.
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I hadn’t thought about it either. Learning new things all the time.
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Wow so intricate. Great read
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Thanks. So glad you like the post.
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