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African Bead from Ghana
In the summer of 2004, I had the great fortune to host Nomoda E. Djaba, also known as Cedi, a master glass bead craftsman and bead producer from Odumase, Ghana. Cedi was here in the U.S. to attend the International Society of Glass Beadmakers annual Gathering event held in Portland, OR and to teach traditional African powdered glass bead making techniques in a two day class at the Bullseye Glass Factory. Meeting Cedi and being one of his students was such a culturally enriching experience. Not only did I learn hands-on how to create these fascinating beads, a process much more complex and difficult than I imagined, but I also experienced Cedi's unending optimism and love of glass through which he has built a successful bead industry and helped many of his fellow Ghanaians. As an innovator, Cedi is now working with Bullseye glass powders and frits to produce traditional powdered glass beads in colors previously unavailable to Ghanaian bead producers. His line of work has also expanded beyond beads and into decorative items such as buttons, candleholders, napkin rings and wall hooks. He is a true ambassador of Ghanaian culture and glass beads. All of the African beads for sale on this website are made by Cedi's Beads Industry in Odumase, Krobo, Ghana. To learn more about Cedi, visit Africancraft.com. |
