The Bead Factory

Raw materials for the manufacture of the beads are broken glass of different colours

The brown clay moulds have been freshly made.

The broken glass is first washed and then crushed in a hollow rock.

at Odumase-Krobo, Ghana

They are bought at the market in bags; clay for the moulds; and wood for firing the ovens.

Before firing, the moulds are coated with Kaolin to harden them and extend their lifetime.

The crushed glass is poured into the moulds.

After the moulds are removed from the oven

The craftsman uses a special metal pin to turn the liquid glass around to give it the ball-shape.

After cooling and washing, the finished product is strung.

The moulds are placed in the oven. They generally stay in the oven for about 45 minutes.

The same pin is used to make the hole through the bead before the glass is set.

Ready for the market!