Kazuri produces handmade, hand-painted ceramic beads and jewelry in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa. Each bead is shaped by hand, without the aid of moulds or forms, by one of the 300 local women employed by Kazuri. The beads are then polished and kiln fired, painted and fired again. Lady Susan Wood founded Kazuri in 1975. Observing that many women in the villages around Nairobi were nearly destitute, she and two Kikuyu women organized a ceramic workshop and taught jewellery making to the poor - the instruction continues to this day. Now under new ownership, Kazuri has been able to expand while still retaining its philanthropic roots. The workshop is still located on a portion of the farm once owned by Karen Von Blixen, of 'Out of Africa' fame, at the base of the Ngong Hills outside Nairobi. Kazuri means small and beautiful in Swahili, the language of Kenya. Please note that, as all Kazuri products are handmade, slight variations in color and shape are inevitable. Indeed this is what makes Kazuri so appealing to all you make and wear jewelry. The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is an association of fair trade wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide. FTF directly links low-income producers with consumer markets and educates consumers about the importance of purchasing fairly traded products which support living wages and safe and healthy conditions for workers in the developing world. FTF also acts as a clearinghouse for information on fair trade and provides resources and networking opportunities for its members. By adhering to social criteria and environmental principles, Fair Trade Organizations (FTOs) foster a more equitable and sustainable system of production and trade that benefits people and their communities. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The pictures below were provided by Kathy Dannerbeck of Beads & Beyond in Bellevue, WA. Kathy has lead several tours to the Kazuri Bead factory and her pictures capture the warm, joyful atmosphere of the workshop where the women create these beautiful beads. Kazuri Bead Card Kazuri in Bead Magazines Order Toll Free 10am - 5pm West Coast Time Monday-Saturday! FREE SHIPPING VIA FIRST CLASS/PARCEL POST MAIL! PRIORITY MAIL IS AVAILABLE FOR AN EXTRA $5.00! Kazuri Beads are offered through Kazuri Beads West, a division of Global Marketplace, the exclusive authorized Kazuri Bead dealer for CALIFORNIA, OREGON, and WASHINGTON. We can accept web orders from anywhere in the US, but will only appear at shows in our dealer territory. Website: www.kazurbeadswest.com  Wholesale Discounts - Use the following codes on the order form:  30% off a purchase of $250 or more - use the code off30  50% off a purchase of $1,000 or more - use the code off50  We have a $10.00 minimum order THESE DISCOUNTS DO NOT APPLY TO ITEMS ON SALE Join the Kazuri Beads West email newsletter list Email:  WE USUALLY SHIP THE DAY AFTER WE RECEIVE YOUR ORDER  Email Questions to help@globalmarketstore.com We accept these forms of payment at this site.