Kazuri Beads

Situated on what was once a part of Karen von Blixen's coffee plantation (Out of Africa), is a small workshop where ceramic beads are made by Kenyan women.

It is painstaking work. The clay is brought down from the Kenyan mountains, then the beads are carefully hand shaped, polished, fired, painted, and fired again.

The result is KAZURI, the Swahili word for small and beautiful.

Started in 1975 by 2 women as a cottage industry, Kazuri now employs 100 women who otherwise would not have jobs, as they are unskilled and uneducated.

As word of beauty and uniqueness of these beads spreads and sales increase, more women will be employed.

Enjoy your Kazuri beads and know that you have contributed to making a difference for other women in the world.