| Kazuri Wholesale Information |
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Phone (920)380-0358 Email: Kazuri_DTD@yahoo.com |
| © 2008 Downtown Designs, LLC All Rights Reserved |
| If you are interested in carrying the Fair Trade Kazuri Jewelry Line in your store or boutique please fill out the information below and one of our reps will contact you. You can click on the kazuri jewelry logo below to view our current line and the inventory available. |
Situated on what was once a part of Karen von Blixen's coffee plantation there is now a small workshop
where ceramic jewelry and beads are made by Kenyan women. It is painstaking work. Many of the
beads and necklace components are tiny. Each one has to be shaped carefully, polished, fired, painted
and fired again. The result is KAZURI, the Swahili word for "small and beautiful."
In the workshops there is a constant buzz that comes from over 350 or so women chatting away
non-stop while they work. The peoples of the countries of sub-saharan Africa are facing what often
seem to be insurmountable problems as they attempt to improve their respective situations in life. With
unemployment running from 65% - 90%, one jobholder often ends up providing for an "extended family"
of 20 or more. It is particularly difficult for women to find jobs. Those with little or no education find it
virtually impossible. Those lucky ones who do find employment are shown great respect by their
families and communities. Kazuri was started in 1975 by Lady Susan Wood with the social mission of
making work for a few women. Initially less than 10 women were employed making beads in her garden
shed. As word of the beauty and uniqueness of the Kazuri beads, necklaces and earrings spread, sales
increased, as did the facility, and as a result 350 people are now employed. Many more wait in the hope
of having an opportunity to join the ranks of those talented people who make small and beautiful
objects. Now under new ownership, Kazuri has been able to expand whilst still retaining its
philanthropic roots. The workshop is still located on a portion of the farm once owned by Karen Von
Blixen, of 'Out of Africa' fame, at the base of the Ngong Hills outside Nairobi. Kazuri America is a
member of the Fair Trade Federation, an internationally recognized organization which authenticates fair
wages and safe working conditions at production facilities worldwide.
where ceramic jewelry and beads are made by Kenyan women. It is painstaking work. Many of the
beads and necklace components are tiny. Each one has to be shaped carefully, polished, fired, painted
and fired again. The result is KAZURI, the Swahili word for "small and beautiful."
In the workshops there is a constant buzz that comes from over 350 or so women chatting away
non-stop while they work. The peoples of the countries of sub-saharan Africa are facing what often
seem to be insurmountable problems as they attempt to improve their respective situations in life. With
unemployment running from 65% - 90%, one jobholder often ends up providing for an "extended family"
of 20 or more. It is particularly difficult for women to find jobs. Those with little or no education find it
virtually impossible. Those lucky ones who do find employment are shown great respect by their
families and communities. Kazuri was started in 1975 by Lady Susan Wood with the social mission of
making work for a few women. Initially less than 10 women were employed making beads in her garden
shed. As word of the beauty and uniqueness of the Kazuri beads, necklaces and earrings spread, sales
increased, as did the facility, and as a result 350 people are now employed. Many more wait in the hope
of having an opportunity to join the ranks of those talented people who make small and beautiful
objects. Now under new ownership, Kazuri has been able to expand whilst still retaining its
philanthropic roots. The workshop is still located on a portion of the farm once owned by Karen Von
Blixen, of 'Out of Africa' fame, at the base of the Ngong Hills outside Nairobi. Kazuri America is a
member of the Fair Trade Federation, an internationally recognized organization which authenticates fair
wages and safe working conditions at production facilities worldwide.