Oval Powder Glass Beads – Recycled African Trade Beads from Ghana

Oval Powder Glass African Trade Beads – Blue Krobo Recycled Glass

Crafted with extraordinary care in Kroboland, Ghana, this beautiful strand of Oval Powder Glass African Beads is a striking example of Ghana's beadmaking artistry. Inspired by antique Venetian "Fancy" trade beads, these handmade recycled beads carry a story of cultural heritage and sustainable craftsmanship.

• Length of Strand: Approximately 27" (69 cm)
• Bead Size: 9 mm in diameter

Each bead is meticulously handmade using recycled glass bottles and household glass items, which are ground into a fine powder and cast in molds. The result is a stunning string of African trade beads with rich blue hues, accented by intricate multicolored patterns. These beads are perfect for collectors, jewelry designers, and lovers of authentic African crafts.

The traditional beadmaking technique used by the Krobo people involves the core design or mold-inlaid method. This ancient process begins by crushing discarded glass into powder, carefully placing it into ceramic molds, and heating it in earthen kilns. With precision and skill, artisans incorporate colorful designs and patterns, paying homage to ancestral artistry. This method has been passed down through generations and is celebrated for both its environmental impact and cultural significance.

Powder glass beads, also known as recycled beads, sandcast beads, and Krobo beads, have long served as a form of currency and a symbol of status across West Africa. Today, they remain treasured both as ornaments and as vibrant expressions of African identity.

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