moshelbeads tutorial blog: 2014

A bead is a small, decorative object that is pierced for threading or stringing. Beads range in size from under a millimeter to over a centimetre to well over 10 cms. Glass, plastic and stone are the most common materials. But beads are also made from bone, horn, ivory, metal, shell, pearl, coral, gemstones, polymer clay, metal clay, resin, synthetic minerals, wood, ceramic, fibre, paper, and seeds. Beads have existed since the earliest pre-historic times. A pair of beads made from a sea snail shell are thought to be the earliest known examples of jewellery.

(approximately 100,000 years) By the ‘dawn of civilization’ in ancient Sumerian and Egyptians societies, the use of beads was already ‘quite old’.It was the ancient Egyptians who discovered the process of making glass itself.

http://www.ghananewsagency.org/social/ashma-beads-bazaar-opens--76670

The Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA) and SOS Children’s Village, Tema and the Federation of Ashaiman Youth, held a beads bazaar over the weekend.

More than 20 beads designers in and around Ashaiman displayed various types of beads and educated the public about their cultural, medical and sensual significance.

Mr Ibrahim Baidoo, Municipal Chief Executive, said ASHMA aims at positioning the Municipality as a preferred destination for beads and creative products to enable the area attract buyers and investment.

He called on stakeholders to ensure that beads making grows into a permanent market and industry to create employment.

He said the promoters are very confident that buyers and sellers would appreciate and benefit from the bazaar.

Mr Charles Cobbina, Business Development Advisor, SOS Children’s Village Ghana, said the objective of the project is to establish a periodic market place for beads and creative products, promote income generation platform for women and young people in the business of beads and creative products.

He said it would also position the city of Ashaiman as a centre of beads and lay the foundation for the establishment of a permanent Ashaiman Arts and Creative Products Centre.

He advised beads designers and sellers to come together under one umbrella to promote Ashaiman as a market destination for all creative products.

Madam Rebecca Osei-Fordjour of Ghana Bead Society, urged all to rent stands in regular markets to enable them to sell their designed beads, adding that consistent high quality stock would endear customers to them and eventually win their loyalty.

She advised them to supply their wares to museum gift shops, galleries and tourist centre’s for regular income that will ensure steady growth and constant joy in dealing with beads.