Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

Support MzuriBeads

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Handmade, ethically sourced, recycled beads, You can’t get better than that!

Mzuribeads paper beaders live in the village of Ndejje, Uganda, where they roll paper beads from strips of recycled magazines and posters.

The director began this business with the ambition that she will one day not be needed, and Mzuribead will be ran entirely by Ugandans. Kirstie MacLean, is currently the director and acting as the voluntary/not for profit middle man. The money accumulated will be used to establish a program to train the women in the cooperative, (who so wish), to become directors, quality controllers, global marketeers, product developers, etc. In short, they aim to generate enough funds to develop a sustainable business structure.

Visit Mzuribeads and browse their online shop for some beautiful handmade beads.

WIN WIN WIN

Thanks to Mzuribeads we are giving 5 lucky CraftGossip readers the chance to win a DIY Bracelet kit.

This little box equips you with all you need to make your own recycled paper bead bracelet.  Mzuribeads is a business working with groups of village artisans who roll paper, and other ethical and natural beads.  Each bead is unique as the colour is from the specific page selected. And they are also varnished for a waterproof and glossy finish.    Presented in a gift box; containing over 15  colourful round Paper Beads, over 15 Glass Spacer Beads, knottable Tiger tail, (no need for tools,etc), and a toggle clasp.

For your chance to win simply leave a comment on this post telling us what is your favorite bead on the Mzuribead website.

Competition Closed – Winners are IndiviJewels,BeadingHeartArt,Letha,Ken and Sally Lowe. (You have all been e-mailed requesting your postal address)

Competition Open Worldwide

Comments

  1. I love the pure purple jumbo “The Spaceships Have Landed” paper beads, but there are so many gorgeous ones to choose from. The barkcloth beads are also beautiful.

  4. I like the Barkcloth Beads. They are so unusual and tactile. The chunky size is an eyestopper for sure! It is also neat that they are a product which is made by another group and shared Through the Mazumi site- I especially like that they are networking in their enterprises!

  5. I was amazed to find such an wonderful site while I was researching making jewelry from recycled materials. These beads are so colorful and amazing…they make you happy just seeing them. Beautiful! Thank you.

  6. Hands down, my favosite is the Jumbo green beads. However, due to it being recyled, I love the recycled beads too.

    They are soo beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  7. Gorgeous beads! I can’t choose just one! My faves are “The Spaceships Have Landed” and the “To Infinity and Beyond.”

  9. So many colors of the variety of beads but I am drawn to the Barkcloth beads. They look so organic and interesting.

  11. Definitely Omo in turquoise! I made a necklace with an earlier version of these beads and it’s been much admired. These beads are so much lighter and more comfortable to wear than glass or ceramic.

  13. Love all the beads on the Mzuribeads website, have at least one of each of everything. Especially like using the Omo (the berry bead) in my jewellery designs as the shape works so well with all my other beads.

  15. I am a Mzuribead customer and have to say ALL the beads are fabulous. I really like the jumbo recycled paper beads. I have them in black and they are awesome! But, I love the bead mixes of recycled beads – so much inspiration in one bag. OH, and the banana leaf beads are little pieces of glory! sigh. My favorite? Tough call. I guess I’ll stick with the jumbo! Thanks for the chance to win 🙂

  17. If I have to choose just one, I favor the Barkcloth beads. I love the color. By the way, the Paper Bead Dress is incredible!

  20. These beads are incredible! They are a good representation of what beauty can come from, like the moth into a butterfly. I would use these as a sign that all is beautiful.

  21. these beads are way more than just beads they are fair trade for a fairer world and beautiful jewelry and i drool over all the beads but my favorite are jumbo’s in all the fab colours xx

  22. I absolutely love fair trade beads!! I am teaching a cultural beading class at a school in NYC this fall (begins in a week), and will include a class on fair trade beading in Africa. The children range from 5-8th grade, and I am sure they would absolutely love to work with such beautiful, ethical beads.
    🙂

Have you read?

Book Review Wednesday: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids

This week’s Book Review Wednesday pick is 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids, and I’ll admit this one is another of those books that makes me pause for a moment and ask, “Does this belong in Jewelry Making, Kids Crafts, or somewhere in between?”

Technically, it is not jewelry in the traditional necklace-and-earrings sense, but it is very much a beading book, and beading skills are such a useful doorway into jewelry making. For kids especially, learning how to thread beads, follow patterns, work with wire, and build little 3D shapes is a brilliant way to develop patience, fine motor skills, and confidence with craft materials.

The cover promises 3D beaded animal crafts for kids, with a focus on cute seed bead animals made with wire. The little fox on the cover is exactly the sort of project that catches attention — bright, cheerful, and very giftable. I can see this being a fun book for crafty kids, tweens, grandparents crafting with children, or even adults who secretly enjoy tiny beaded animals but pretend they are “helping the kids.”

What I like about this type of project is that it gives children a finished piece they can actually be proud of. These are not throwaway crafts. A beaded animal can become a bag charm, keychain, desk buddy, zipper pull, ornament, or little handmade gift. And if you have a child who loves collecting small things, well, prepare yourself — you may soon have an entire zoo made from seed beads.

There is also a nice connection here for beginner jewelry makers. Working with beads and wire in a simple 3D form helps build the same kind of careful hand skills used in beaded jewelry, wire wrapping, charms, and small accessories. So while I would be tempted to cross-post this over on our Kids Crafts section, I still think it earns its place here for anyone wanting beginner-friendly beading projects.

This book would suit kids who already enjoy detailed crafts, families looking for screen-free creative projects, or makers who want small bead projects that are playful rather than overly serious. I would suggest adult help for younger children, especially because seed beads and wire can be fiddly, and nobody needs a craft session ending with beads in the carpet forever. Although, let’s be honest, that may happen anyway.

My Shellie-style take? 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids looks like a fun, colourful and practical beading book for young makers who like cute projects with a real finished result. It is crafty, giftable, a little bit nostalgic, and a lovely stepping stone into more detailed beadwork and jewelry making later on.

You can find the book here: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids.