Beadcraft by the Dupoto Women's Group


A Step Towards Self-Sufficiency

Women from traditional cultures in Kenya don't have a lot of choices. Many are married at an early age into arranged polygamous unions, where they toil through the traditional roles of child-rearing and housekeeping.

Financially, they are the mercy of the vicissitudes of their community's pastoral economy -- when cattle or crops die from drought, the communities are dependent on aid from the government or NGOs. Without any source of income to pay for school fees, their children follow the same life pattern, usually married at the age of thirteen.

In 1993, the Dupoto Women's Group was founded to give these women some income, some security, and a way to provide a better life for their children. The Group consists of 25 Maasai women who hand-make all of the beaded items we sell. This is their primary source of income, and as a group they support more than 125 children.

BEADS for Education supports the Group's efforts to produce high quality products and to modify their traditional beadcraft for the overseas markets. Products are marketed in the United States and Europe through volunteers and the BEADS website. Due to their success, the Dupoto Women's Group has received funding from USAID and has been selected as a role model for other women's groups in Kenya.

Please help support BEADS, the sponsorship program and the women's groups by purchasing their beautiful products.


If you would like to make a special order, contact us at beadsofkenya@aol.com

Browse the Products

Beaded dog collars -- one of our most popular items!

Jewelry

Ornaments and Decorations

Housewares

Accessories


 Jewelry

Multi-Strand Necklace

Ten beautifully beaded strands make up this stylish necklace, approx. 14"

each $30 USD

Gold with Black highlights (left)

Turquoise with Black highlights (right)
 

Flower Power

Necklace/pin set featuring a bright, beaded multicolor flower

Set - $20 USD


Black and Gold Multi-Strand Necklace

Stunning necklace with an eye-catching clasp, approx. 9-10"

$30 USD


Uganda Necklace

Exquisite and delicate – these necklaces will wear well at work or night. Approximately 16"

Gunmetal Blue with Gold Highlights
$30 USD


Uganda Necklace

Exquisite and delicate – these necklaces will wear well at work or night. Approximately 16"

Black with White Highlights
$30 USD


Uganda Necklace

Exquisite and delicate – these necklaces will wear well at work or night. Approximately 16"

Gold with Black highlights
$30 USD


 

Rope Necklace & Bracelet Set

Necklace - 18"
Bracelet - 7"

Turquoise Striped - $30 USD


 

Earrings

Designed and taught to the Maasai women by renowned bead artist Wendy Ellsworth, these intricate earrings are spectacular.

$15 USD


 

Maasai Necklace -
Rectangular Pendant

Crafted by our new women's group in the Amboseli National Park Region. Many of these Maasai women also wear one of these necklaces. Approx 4" w x 3" t

$40 USD

 

Maasai Necklace -
Round Pendant

Crafted by our new women's group in the Amboseli National Park Region. Many of these Maasai women also wear one of these necklaces. Approx 4" w x 3" t

$40 USD

 

Multicolor Bracelet

Seen on the wrist of almost every Maasai! One size only, but adjustable. Comes in many styles.

$20 USD

Pattern Bracelet

One size only, but adjustable with ribbon enclosure. Two styles.

Cheetah Pattern (left) - $20 USD

Black & White (right) - $20 USD



 Ornaments & Decorations
 

Cheetah Pattern Bells (Set of 3)

Ring in the holiday with these lovely beaded ornaments.

Set of 3
$25 USD


Cheetah Pattern Globes (Set of 3)

Traditional beading design with loop for hanging. Approx. 1 ½" inches tall, not including loop.

Set of 3 - $25 USD


Cheetah Pattern Globe Ornament

(NEW larger size!)
Traditional beading design with loop for hanging.

$15 USD


Holiday Pattern Globes (Set of 3)

(not pictured, but same shape as globes above) Colorful beading design with loop for hanging. Approx. 1 ½" inches tall, not including loop.

Set of 3 - $25 USD

Out of Stock

Large Single Animal Ornaments

Available in Rhino (left) or Elephant (right). Rhino is 3"H x 5"L
Elephant is 3"H x 4 ½" L

Rhino Ornament - $12 USD

Elephant Ornament - $12 USD

Set of 3 Animal Ornaments

Set includes one elephant, one giraffe, and one zebra. Two-sided beading with loops for hanging.
Elephant is approx. 2 ½" H x 3 ½" L;
Zebra: 3"H x 4"L
Giraffe: 6"H x 3 ½"L

Set of 3 - $25 USD


 

Maasai Wall-Hanging

These wallhangings are adapted from Maasai women's necklaces -- exotic and colorful! Approximately 14" in diameter.

$185 USD

 
Housewares

Beaded Dog Collars

These classic items were the first products ever sold by BEADS for Education!

Some notes about these collars:
• Collars are approximately one inch wide.

• These collars are decorative and, if treated nicely, will last for years. However, DO NOT use these collars to restrain your dog as the rings will not hold a dog that pulls.

• To determine the correct size collar for your dog, measure the circumference of the the dog's neck where you want the collar to rest and according to the fit you wish to achieve. Add four inches to this measurement and that will give you your collar size. Be sure to pick one size for each collar in your order.


Click on image
to enlarge		 XLarge
(26")
$30 USD each 		Large
(24")
$30 USD each 		XMedium
(22")
$25 USD each 		Medium
(20")
$25 USD each
 

Triangle 
 

Red and White
Snake on Black 
 

Tribal 
 

Turquoise Nested Minibaskets

(Set of 3)
Largest approx 3.5"diam x  3.5"high)

Set of 3 - $30 USD
Out of Stock


Evening Purple Nested Minibaskets

(Set of 3)
Largest approx 3.5"diam x  3.5"high)

Set of 3 - $30 USD


Cheetah Pattern Nested Minibaskets

(Set of 3)
Largest approx 3.5"diam x  3.5"high)

Set of 3 - $30 USD


Mini Baskets with Handles

(Set of 5)
(green, cheetah, blue, red, brown)
A tisket, a tasket, some pretty mini baskets. Great as an earring/ring holder.

Set of 5
$25 USD


Basket with Handle

Amber and Gold tones make this lovely basket sparkle in the light. Perfect for a bottle of wine at the dinner table.

$20 USD


 

Coasters

(set of 4)
Assorted colors, each of these handsome coasters is about 4" in diameter and consists of a beaded mandala stitched onto a sturdy leather disk.

Set of 4 - $25 USD



 

Colored Bowls

Approximately 8" in diameter x 2.75" tall. Pictured from left to right.

Green Bowl - $30 USD

Red Bowl - $30 USD

Cheetah Pattern Bowl - $30 USD

Turquoise Bowl - $30 USD
Out of Stock

Evening Purple Bowl - $30 USD


Brown Bowl with Cheetah Highlights

Approximately 8" in diameter x 2.75" tall.

$30 USD

 

 
Accessories
 

Deco-Style Evening Bags

Reminiscent of the beaded bags from the 1930's. Bags measure approx. 4"x4", Shoulder strap hangs approx. 24"

Available in three styles:

Large Diamond (Left) $35 USD


Turquoise (center) $35.00 USD


Small Diamond (right) $35.00 USD


 

Headbands

Adult size only.
Patterns vary, select color below.

Blue/Black - $15 USD

Gold/Black - $15 USD

Silver/Black - $15 USD

Red/Black - $15 USD

 

Bookmarks

These beautiful bookmarks are adapted from traditional Maasai women's jewelry. Approx 6" long x 2" wide

$20 USD