ArtFire

Please read shipping notes before ordering this piece of handmade jewelry.

This distinctive one-of-a-kind piece is a happy marriage of Kazuri beads, various embroidery fibers and Vermeil cones and findings. Kazuri beads are ceramic beads made in Kenya by women of the Kikuyu tribe. The beads are made with clay from the Mt Kenya area lending authenticity to finished product.

The beads used in this particular piece feature real 14K gold accents on cobalt blue Kazuri beads with two different embroidery fibers, one blue and one gold, blended with two different size and colors of gold seed beads, rice shaped freshwater pearls and three different Kazuri beads in cobalt blue.

This necklace does not have a focal bead. Instead it has a large knot centered between two pita pats in unaccented cobalt blue. Each of these plain pita pats is embellished with three oval links of Vermeil chain. The finished necklace measures 20 inches and is closed with a lobster claw and simple, unadorned cones. The end result is a unique necklace that is guaranteed to draw attention to its wearer.

In addition to personal checks and US Postal Money orders, I accept PayPal. Shipments paid for by check are held until the check clears the financial institution on which it was written.

I do not pad my shipping charges but do pass actual costs on to the buyer. ArtFire requires that I pick a number for shipping so I picked the least expensive, slow-boat-to-China rate offered by the United States Postal Service. Secondary shipping charges depend on what else you are purchasing. If you are purchasing more than one item at a time from my studio, please e-mail for shipping charges. If you wish to choose a shipping method other than the USPS to a US address, the cost is more. That said, U.S. or Canadian purchasers may choose the U.S. Postal System, UPS or Fed Ex. but please request a shipping quote before making a purchase.

International purchasers may only use U.S. Global Priority Mail. Costs for Global Priority shipments vary by destination and package weight. Please contact me for a shipping quote before making a purchase. I combine shipping costs automatically.

Insurance is optional but I accept no responsibility for damage to or loss of uninsured shipments.

The beads in this piece were my inspiration, that and the cause they support. In 1988 Kazuri became a factory and expanded hugely with over 120 women and men. Here women are trained and apply their skills to produce these unique and beautiful beads and jewelry. The beads are made with clay from the Mt Kenya area thus giving them authenticity to their craft. The factory acts as a social gathering with the hum of voices continuing throughout the day. With unemployment so high, one jobholder often ends up providing for an "extended family" of 20 or more. Kazuri is a member of the Fair Trade Act.

Kazuri beads, seed beads, Vermeil findings and beads, freshwater pearls, Kreinik fibers, embroidery fiber, accuflex, crimp beads, gold filled wire

Story behind this Product:
The beads in this piece were my inspiration, that and the cause they support. In 1988 Kazuri became a factory and expanded hugely with over 120 women and men. Here women are trained and apply their skills to produce these unique and beautiful beads and jewelry. The beads are made with clay from the Mt Kenya area thus giving them authenticity to their craft. The factory acts as a social gathering with the hum of voices continuing throughout the day. With unemployment so high, one jobholder often ends up providing for an "extended family" of 20 or more. Kazuri is a member of the Fair Trade Act.