Recently, I visited the Kazuri bead factory. Kazuri jewelry is produced right here in Kenya - the clay comes from the Mt. Kenya region and is brought to the factory in the Karen neighborhood of Nairobi, where the beads are molded by hand and turned into beautiful necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. The Kazuri brand has been so successful that they export to the US, UK, Middle East, and several other countries.
Upon arriving, we were met by a guide who gave us a tour of the Kazuri factory. He showed us the machines that are used to prepare the clay, and the long tables of women molding and glazing the beads. Below is a picture of one of the workers placing beads in the kiln for firing.
In one corner of the factory, I took this picture in front of rows and rows of jars of beads. Visitors to the factory can purchase individual beads, request to have certain beads strung together into a necklace, or even order their own custom-designed beads.
As we finished the tour, we took a picture in front of the clay-pressing machinery (From left: Lindy, Alex, Joan, Erica). Then we headed to the gift shop, where we all purchased our fill of jewelry!
After our exhausting shopping excursion, we retired to the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel, where we enjoyed afternoon tea with finger sandwiches and pastries with jam and clotted cream. We felt very sophisticated, and pleased with our ladies' outing!
