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A strand of Silver Metal Spacer Beads handcrafted in Ghana by jewelry smiths strung on raffia 26" long. These beads were found in one of the largest markets of West Africa in Kumasi, Ghana. The beads are approx. 11x20 mm. -
A strand of 100 hard wood Mali Prayer Beads that are a dark brownish-black (more black than brown) with a silver band strung on string 28" long. Two sizes are medium and small: medium - the bead is about 10-12 mm and the hole is about 2mm and small - the bead is about 8-10 mm ... these are handmade so will vary slightly in size and shape. 'The English word bead derives from the Old English noun bede which means a prayer. The exact origins of prayer beads remain uncertain, but their earliest use probably traces to Hindu prayers in India.' (wikipedia) -
A strand of tiny Bauxite Beads strung on raffia 24" long. The beads are approx. 4 mm. The beads are rough and have an earthy hewn look. These beads were bought from Hidir, a Trader at the Koforidua Market. He was telling me these beads which are handcrafted in a very labour intensive process starting from mining the bauxite to drilling the holes, are now endangered as less and less are being made as the Craftsmen cannot make a reasonable living. Bauxite Beads are a beautiful mix of Autumn browns ranging from quite a light almost orange brown to a deep rich brown. They give a necklace a natural look and feel. -
Out of stock
A strand of 63 Sandcast Recycled Glass Beads strung on raffia 30" long. The beads are around 11x9 mm and are a mix of colours; green, white and black. These recycled glass beads were handcrafted in Ghana, Africa by crushing old, discarded glass,, adding colorant and then pouring the powder into clay molds. The stem of a local plant is added, this burns away during firing, leaving a hole for stringing. The beads are fired in a woodburning earthen oven. Ghana is famous for this type of bead. -
A strand of 45 Sandcast Recycled Glass Beads strung on raffia 30" long. The beads are around 11-14x11 mm and are a mix of colours; blue, yellow, brown and white. These recycled glass beads were handcrafted in Ghana, Africa by crushing old, discarded glass,, adding colorant and then pouring the powder into clay molds. The stem of a local plant is added, this burns away during firing, leaving a hole for stringing. The beads are fired in a woodburning earthen oven. Ghana is famous for this type of bead. -
A strand of about 41 Sandcast Recycled Glass Bodom Beads with a turquoise, yellow and red design strung on string 24" long. The beads are around 14 x 15 mm. These recycled glass beads were handcrafted in Ghana, Africa by crushing old, discarded glass, adding colorant and then pouring the coloured powder in layers into molds. The stem of a local plant is added, this burns away during firing, leaving a hole for stringing. The beads are fired in a woodburning earthen oven. Ghana is famous for this type of bead. -
A strand of about 35 translucent moss greenLizard Head Recycled Glass Beads strung on string 24" long. These translucent beads are about 20x15 mm. The beads are unpolished and natural. These recycled glass beads were purchased straight from the small factory which hand crafts them using the methods of their ancestors, from crushing recycled bottles all the way to firing them in a wood burning oven. -
Out of stock
A strand of about 40 translucent greenRecycled Glass Beads in the shape of faceted footballs strung on string 24" long. These translucent beads are about 12x15 mm. These beads are handmade so will vary in size and shape and even colour. These recycled glass beads were purchased straight from the small factory which hand crafts them using the methods of their ancestors, from crushing recycled bottles all the way to firing them in a wood burning oven. -
A strand of about 97 translucent light greenRecycled Glass Beads in the shape of a tear drop strung on string 21" long. These translucent beads are about 10x15 mm. These beads are handmade so will vary in size and shape and even colour. These recycled glass beads were purchased straight from the small factory which hand crafts them using the methods of their ancestors, from crushing recycled bottles all the way to firing them in a wood burning oven. -
A strand of about 97 translucent dark greenRecycled Glass Beads in the shape of a tear drop strung on string 21" long. These translucent beads are about 10x15 mm. These beads are handmade so will vary in size and shape and even colour. These recycled glass beads were purchased straight from the small factory which hand crafts them using the methods of their ancestors, from crushing recycled bottles all the way to firing them in a wood burning oven. -
In Africa, these Bodom beads are held in the highest esteem and usually only worn for celebrations, funerals, and are often buried with the dead. There is much folklore about their magical powers as well. These bodoms have the evil eye. The belief in the ‘evil eye’ dates back thousands of years. It is one of the strongest symbolic symbols in the world. Wearing an evil eye as an amulet is believed to protect the wearer from evil forces. The evil eye has symbolism in practically every country in the world and every religion. Very powerful stuff! These impressive beads are still being made today in the same painstaking and labour intensive way as the ancestors. To see these beads being made please check out the blog, the Bodom. This Bodom Bead is triangular and about 36mm x 28mm . It is yellow the 'typical' colour of old Bodoms with black, light blue and rust red designs. The hole is about 5 mm. The bead has a rough, earthy, organic feel to it. While we have enough in stock we would like to offer you 6 of these bodoms for $75 (with one bodom free) Please contact us if you are interested. -
During a Bead Hunt Funky Frog made a big order from the Kokofrom Cooperative outside Kumasi. The process these metal smiths are using is the same as their ancestors... back then it was gold now it is any metal they can get their hands on!! If you would like to see the intricate process check out the blog here ... While there we browsed and some fun beads and pendants already made that we found beautiful, caught our eye. This tribal Swordfish Pendant is part of that batch. Fish and fishing are really a huge part of the life of the people of Ghana whether it is freshwater or saltwater fishing. This pendant is about 3 1/2". -
Out of stock
During 2016 Bead Hunt Funky Frog made a big order from the Kokofrom Cooperative outside Kumasi. The process these metal smiths are using is the same as their ancestors… back then it was gold now it is any metal they can get their hands on!! If you would like to see the intricate process check out the blog here … While there we browsed and some fun beads and pendants already made that we found beautiful, caught our eye. This Elephant Pendant is part of that batch. Since i had actually seen elephants during this 2016 Bead Hunt i was especially partial ! The elephant is about 3 1/4 " (not including his trunk) His curled tail is the eyelet for that leather or cord to make it into a super necklace... -
A strand of 41 black Recycled Glass beads strung on string 22". The beads have a soft smooth texture and are a 10 x 15 mm football shape. These beads are an unusual shape and designed by an innovative designer (seen adding up my beads in photo!) who has a cottage industry making beads by hand just outside Accra. It is always a pleasure to go and check out what he has made. Check out the blog about our visit here ... -
A strand of 44 teal Recycled Glass beads strung on string 22". The beads have a soft smooth texture and are a 15 mm bicone shape. These beads are an unusual shape and designed by an innovative designer (seen adding up my beads in photo!) who has a cottage industry making beads by hand just outside Accra. It is always a pleasure to go and check out what he has made. Check out the blog about our visit here ... -
A strand of 41 reddish brick Recycled Glass beads strung on string 22". The beads have a soft smooth texture and are a 10 x 15 mm football shape. These beads are an unusual shape and designed by an innovative designer (seen adding up my beads in photo!) who has a cottage industry making beads by hand just outside Accra. It is always a pleasure to go and check out what he has made. Check out the blog about our visit here ... -
A strand of 41 soft orange Recycled Glass beads strung on string 22". The beads have a soft smooth texture and are a 10 x 15 mm football shape. These beads are an unusual shape and designed by an innovative designer (seen adding up my beads in photo!) who has a cottage industry making beads by hand just outside Accra. It is always a pleasure to go and check out what he has made. Check out the blog about our visit here ... -
Colourful strand of 29 fancy Indian Glass Beads that traveled all the way from India to West African Bead Market and then brought to Canada by Funky Frog – jet set beads! The beads are about 10x24 mm. -
A strand of about 35 two dots and zig zag square Batik Bone Beads from Kenya strung on raffia 31" long. These beads have a bold geometric design and shape that will give any necklace an eye catching tribal feel. Each bead is approx. 20x20 mm. These beads are handmade so will have variations in colour, design and size. If you would like individual beads please contact us. $1.00/bead -
A strand of about 35 star Batik Bone Beads from Kenya strung on raffia 31" long. These beads have a bold geometric design and shape that will give any necklace an eye catching tribal feel. Each bead is approx. 20x20 mm. These beads are handmade so will have variations in colour, design and size. If you would like individual beads please contact us. $1.00/bead -
These Purple new Vinyl Beads are strung on wool and a strand is 32" long.The 'heishi' beads are 10 mm. Purple is a very complex colour. There are so many variations. It is said purple symbolizes magic, mystery, spirituality, the sub-conscious, creativity, dignity, royalty – and it does evoke all of these meanings more so than any other color. Further variations of purple can convey different meanings. For instance light purples are light-hearted, floral, and romantic. The dark shades are more intellectual and dignified. You either love purple or you don't. It was the one colour most people asked for before the 2020 Bead Hunt!! These vinyl beads are close to the 'Iris' purple in the colour chart. There are both new and old vinyl beads at the markets. Funky Frog has both. You will see all the Old Vinyl Beads will be labeled Vintage. These beads are becoming quite valuable. The new Vinyl Beads are fun, vibrant and plentiful. These purple vinyl beads are new. Vinyl Beads make great Spacer Beads or as the feature beads for your jewelry. -
These Yellow Vinyl Beads are strung on wool and a strand is 29" long.The 'heishi' beads are 10 mm. It is said yellow vinyl beads are associated with intelligence, beauty and preciousness. These beads are contemporary. Hunting for Vinyl Beads during the 2018 Beads Hunt proved to be a challenge. These unique thin disc (heishi) beads which are made with vulcanite, a vulcanized hard rubber and traces of vinyl (some of the older vinyl beads are made from recycled vinyl records) are a very popular item at Funky Frog and several clients had asked me to look for them. The markets have been flooded by the new Vinyl Beads in all sorts of bright vivid colours. The downside of the new vinyl beads are they are rougher and not as smooth and silky as the older vintage vinyl beads. It is these older Vintage Vinyl Beads that are sought after and are becoming harder and more expensive to find. Also the downside to the vintage vinyl beads is some of them are friable and break very easily especially the black. Funky Frog brought back a mix of the two. You will see all the Vintage Vinyl Beads will be labeled Vintage. These beads are becoming quite valuable. The new Vinyl Beads are fun, vibrant and plentiful. Funky Frog has both. Vinyl Beads make great Spacer Beads or as the feature beads for your jewelry. -
A strand of 23 striking Mustard Yellow Recycled Glass beads strung on string 25". The beads have a smooth polished finish and are a 12 x 26" tubular shape. There is another strand of beads very similar to these but quite a bit smaller .. you can check them out by clicking here. These beads are designed by an innovative designer (seen adding up my beads in photo!) who has a cottage industry making beads by hand just outside Accra. It is always a pleasure to go and check out what he has made. During this last Beads Hunt we made our regular stop there .... you can check out our blog by clicking here. -
A strand of 23 Robin's Egg Blue Recycled Glass beads strung on string 25". The beads have a smooth polished finish and are a 12 x 26" tubular shape. These beads are designed by an innovative designer (seen adding up my beads in photo!) who has a cottage industry making beads by hand just outside Accra. It is always a pleasure to go and check out what he has made. During this last Beads Hunt we made our regular stop there .... you can check out our blog by clicking here.
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