Paper Bead Works, joining Creativ Festival for the first time this fall, has been working with a group of mostly women from Gulu Northern Uganda. These individuals have all been directly affected by the atrocities of the Lords Resistance Army (perhaps you saw the video Kony 2012). When Antonia Andrews first met them in 2008 they were selling paper beads in the local market to make some extra money for school fees. She started to sell their beads in Canada and in 2010 jewellery designer, Beverley Smith (www.holycrowbeads.com) joined in her mission and went to Gulu to provide training. Antonia has recently returned from visiting the group and later this month Beverley will return once again to Uganda to provide additional training.
Catch the Paper Bead Works stage presentation each day during the Festival to explore the process of making both paper and fabric beads as you learn more about this special group and their progress to date.
In the meantime, you can get a first hand look at how meticulously these special beads are created by viewing this video we have found.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvo57leqrZY[/youtube]
Paper Bead Works practices fair trade to ensure the women are treated right and paid fairly for their work. Whether you buy the loose paper and fabric beads to make your own creations or the handcrafted jewellery pieces found at the Paper Bead Works booth you will be supporting and helping women in Uganda.
At Paper Bead Works, we believe in the strength of the individual and the spirit of their community. Come by booth #925 to see the beautiful works of Ugandan artisans, and to learn more about them and their fascinating products!