The Journal

Beadwork stories & styling notes

Notes from the studio — how to wear handmade beaded earrings, where the beads come from, and the slow craft behind every one-of-a-kind pair.

City Stories · 5 min read

Kumasi: The Ghanaian City Behind the Earrings

Why every pair is named after a real Ghanaian city — starting with Kumasi, heart of the Ashanti Kingdom, home of Kejetia Market, and namesake of some of Rama's boldest designs.

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Care Guide · 5 min read

How to Clean and Store Beaded Earrings

A maker's simple care rules: a soft dry cloth, no perfume or water, and flat, separate storage. How to keep a one-of-a-kind handmade pair beautiful for decades.

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Local Guide · 6 min read

Where to Buy Handmade Jewelry on Vancouver Island

A local maker's honest guide to the Island's farmers markets and maker shops — Duncan, Cedar, Ladysmith, Chemainus and Victoria — plus how to tell genuinely handmade jewelry from imports.

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Styling · 6 min read

How to Style African Beaded Earrings: 7 Effortless Looks

Statement beadwork is easier to wear than it looks. Here are seven outfit pairings — from quiet workdays to weddings — that let handmade beaded earrings do the talking.

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The Craft · 7 min read

The Story Behind Ghanaian Glass Beads

Every pair starts in a West African bead market. A look at Krobo recycled-glass beads, how they're made, and why no two strands are ever the same.

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Gift Guide · 5 min read

Handmade Jewelry Gifts from Canada: A Thoughtful Gift Guide

Looking for a gift that isn't mass-produced? A guide to choosing one-of-a-kind handmade beaded earrings — by occasion, by colour, and by the person you're shopping for.

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