Brown Swirl Earrings, Kazuri Bead Earrings, order Autumn Colors Earrings

These unique earrings are made from Kazuri beads from Kenya, Africa. Situated on what was order once a part of Karen von Blixen's coffee plantation there is now a small workshop where ceramic jewelry and beads are made by Kenyan women. It is painstaking work. Many of the beads and necklace components are tiny. Each one has to be shaped carefully, polished, fired, painted and fired again. The result is KAZURI, the Swahili word for "small and beautiful." It is particularly difficult for women to find jobs. Those with little or no education find it virtually impossible. Those lucky ones who do find employment are shown great respect by their families and communities. These beads are also Fair Trade items.

Here I've combined the beads with copper accent beads and attached them to copper ball posts. They aren't heavy at all, as you might expect from ceramic beads. The price may seem high, but it's for a good cause.