design jewelry

"The design of this necklace celebrates our preference for chunky jewelry and natural materials," confides Nigerian-born Nonyem Abena Ibeneme. She crafts the beaded necklace by hand with a medley of beads carved from cow bone, agate, soapstone, bamboo, terracotta, and bauxite. Featuring sese wood and recycled plastic spacers, the necklace fastens with a brass hook.

Remember the warm and tender side of love with this captivating necklace crafted by Mexican artisan Ali Guzman. Using 24k gold-plated brass wires, the artisan joins cultured pearls with agate jewels, adding a glamorous essence to the piece. Dangling at the bottom, a floral resin pendant and a ceramic heart complete the design with their matching orange hues.

"Enjoy this beautiful necklace and may your good deeds be more in number than the beads strung on this necklace," encourages Ila Suleyman. He calls his design Maneray, the Mossi term for good deeds. The Mossi are predominantly millet and cattle farmers who use cow hide and other natural materials to create various items including jewelry and accessories. Suleyman crafts the necklace by hand in a palette of warm earth hues featuring glistening agates, terracotta and sese wood beads. A bone pendant painted with batik techniques centers the necklace featuring recycled plastic beads at both sides. Closes with a brass clasp.

Handcrafted with 18k gold plated steel on turquoise-colored cord, this beautiful necklace will make a fascinating accessory wherever it goes. Mexican duo Martha and Ambar Mireles create their design, which is enhanced with colorful agate gems. A handcrafted ceramic pendant dangles at the center.

Because each piece of jewelry is individually crafted, there may be slight variations in colors and the decor details, thus assuring that your piece is a unique work of art.

Terracotta is transformed into a fascinating pendant in Ila Suleyman's hands. Centering a necklace, it is flanked by polished agate and beads of sese wood. The colorful disks are recycled plastic. The designer names this design Sougri Napoka, which means "Queen of Peace" in the Mamprusi language of Northern Ghana.

"Celebrate Odopa with this necklace," encourages Cynthia Danquah. Referring to the Akan saying of "good love," she designs a stunning necklace centered by an agate pendant. Danquah alternates freeform enhanced agates with terracotta beads, as well as with bright red discs recycled from vinyl and plastic bottles.