Jewelry Making

Paper Beads

Several African countries, including Rwanda, make innovative jewelry designs using recycled magazines and paper from printing overruns. These beads are made by slicing the paper into varying triangular lengths and widths, then tightly rolling them to make beads of different shapes and sizes. The color of the resulting bead depends on the colors of the paper rolled, and therefore, every bead is unique. Beads are finished using the safest, most environmentally friendly glue on the market.

Woven Beads

Woven beads are produced by sewing fine rayon thread around sisal fibers, in a pattern that results in a tightly woven bead of varying sizes. This is a time-consuming process and the average weaver can make approximately 3 woven beads per day.

Crochet Techniques

Various types of beads are carefully strung and then crocheted together to create beautiful, unique pieces of jewelry.