Spears of the Masai

I was visiting a book store recently where I was browsing through a book about African Warriors.  I was inspired by an team of Kenyan Warriors and their fabulous spears made from Buffalo hide. I love looking through books at pictures hoping for inspiration from an eye-catching tribal statement for a piece of jewelry.

I went home and began creating earrings with some items that I acquired some time ago thinking I would eventually use in jewelry making.  Some items from a garage sale, old jewelry and misc. beads and things.  These fabulous earrings are shaped like spears of the Masai.  Masai warriors are renowned for their bravery, ferocity and hunting skills.

The spears are bone with gold and black edged decor. The findings are sterling silver and have been accented with beads in black gold and ivory.  These earrings make a bold statement representing  the power of the Masai Warriors.

They are priced at a moderate $32.  Contact Alisa@ Sisterslocked@gmail.com

Peace, Love & Blessings

Sonia's Jewelry Box

recycled  beads from Sonia's old jewelry

Let me tell you something about Sonia.  She is an Accessory Diva. She wears fly clothing all the time. Good at mixing and matching up her stuff.  Walking advertisment for me, for sure.  She wears some of the most exotic, cultural, one of a kind jewelry, than anyone I know.  Why?  Because she buys handmade.  She supports artisans to assure she's wearing original.  Um huh, child!  Just look inside her jewelry box. 

What will you see? C-R-E-A-T-I-V-I-T-Y!

She's always turning  heads (ask her husband)  as she's, without choice, giving a history to the pieces  that she wears for that stranger admiring her from afar and asking, "where did you get that"?    Her husband gripes, "if one more person asks you about your jewelry, I 'm gonna..........! WATCH OUT SOMEBODY before you get P- Wowed!  LOL!!!!!!

What does that tell you people?  BUY HANDMADE!

If you like one of a kind items, then you'll surely find it from someone who hand creates. Artisans invest so much time and so much love, in what they do. If you don't know, you had better ask Sonia.

And for those of you who need walking advertisement?  Well, call Sonia.  If she likes it, you're a winner because someone will call  asking to purchase one of  what she was wearing.  Forgetting that it's original.  One of a kind. But gaining because they will surely find something else they'll love just as much as what they saw Sonia wearing.  You win too, a profit.  Keeping the green in our own village. Thats what it's all about.

Contact Sonia at Sisterslocked@gmail.com for tips on buying original.  (The Who's & Where  )

Peace, Love & Blessings

Alisa Loves "Fulani Ear Candy"

Fulani earrings are one of the most talked-about pieces of jewelry from Africa. They make an instant impression with their glimmering, twisted appearance. Hand-crafted in Mali, the Fulani gold is actually twisted bronze but was believed to be gold by the Fulani people for some time. The bronze is hammered  thin, and then twisted to create the intricate look of the earrings.

The Fulani earrings are created by Fulani craftsmen in Mali. One of the largest groups of nomadic herders in Africa, the Fulani customarily wore their wealth in the form of gold jewelry that they could carry with them at all times. The design has been worn for centuries, and it wasn’t uncommon to see women wearing these type of earrings with red rope around the post of the earrings to try and help alleviate the heaviness of pure gold. The women would typically get these earrings as a present on their wedding day, or on another special occasion.

Everyday is a special day to me and these earrings are one of my favorite treats to myself.  Won't you treat yourself to a pair of these Fulani earrings?  You too will have heads turning.  Sizes vary from small to large.  Comes in silver or gold.  Affordable prices vary based on size and color choice.

If you would like a pair, contact Alisa at, Sisterslocked@gmail.com.

Peace, Love and Blessings

Deborah says, "WAISTBEADS" Sistas!

Waistbeading

Bin Bin = waistbeads -  Senegal West Africa
Jel-Jelli = waistbeads -  Senegal
Giri-Giri = waistbeads -  Nigeria
Ileke idi - waistbeads -  Nigeria
Jigida = waistbeads -  Nigeria
Yomba = waistbeads -  Nigeria
Djalay Djalay = waistbeads - Chad
Waist beads are an age old African tradition and are worn for many reasons and purposes to celebrate femininity,  welcoming to womanhood, fertility, healing, spirituality, power, balancing, attracting and keeping a mate, rites of passage, rejuvenation, initiations, first menses, energy, body shaping, to promote good blood circulation, sexual enhancers, and protection amongst other things.

Waist beads can be anointed with special oils and herbs that will be absorbed into the skin for healing purposes.

Traditionally waist beads are worn under clothing by African women but have also been worn outside of the clothing in some parts of Africa. In the modern world waist beads are worn boldly outside of clothing against bare mid drifts as a fashion statement. Well, my recommendation would be to wear them under your clothing to preserve value and appreciation for the traditional purpose.

Waist beads can be made of bone beads, shells, gemstones, glass beads, clay beads, pearls, brass beads, charms or a combination of them all to symbolize a woman or girls status in life. They should be worn below the belly and can be a single or multiple strands. There is no age limit for women who can wear them nor is there a size limit. All my waist beads wear created in Africa with love. They come in different sizes, and can be fitted just for your fabulous body.

Contact Deborah at Sisterslocked@gmail.com for availability and prices.



An Artisans Marketplace

The production, exchange and distribution of handcrafted goods, have been one of the roots of cultural identity in all cultures.  Our community is a beautiful multi-ethnic population filled with cultural creativity and talents  from all over the world.  People are doing great things as a hobby and  for their home based businesses to supplement their incomes and make a living in this economy.

.  Therefore, as an effort to preserve craft practices, inspire new innovations, circulate income and encourage creativity and business opportunities in our own community, a brand new network of Artisans and Entrepreneurs is emerging. 

We believe in the power of crafting and entrepreneurship and we'll strive to give our networking partners pride and identity in the local community as Artisans and small home based business Proprietors.

Peace, Love & Blessings,

Alisa, Debra & Sonia