Monkeybiz

From an Amazon email, I learned that there is going to be a book on Monkeybiz, a South African project reviving beadwork by providing beads to disadvantaged women in Cape Town. They can work from home, and still look after their family and avoid transportation costs. This nonprofit organization puts profits back into the community through fair payment for bead art, and provision of community services. Their beadwork has traveled the world, from Norway to Madison Avenue.

There was a collection of Monkeybiz beadwork on display November 2007 at the Hennepin County Government Center (where I helped display the Bead Quilt several years ago). I took some pictures, and got them out of my files to share. Enjoy!

monkeybiz-people.jpg

monkeybiz-cows.jpg

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monkeybiz-antelope.jpg

monkeybiz-birds.jpg

monkeybiz-christmas.jpg

monkeybiz-elephant.jpg

monkeybiz-penguins.jpg

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They are peyote over a form. All of the pieces are purchased from the artist, then sold, and all proceeds go back into the community. Most of the peyote is 2- or 3-drop, so would work up pretty fast. Some of those pieces — the Christmas trees — were HUGE. Doing a single color over a massive area would be a bit much for me!

Interesting beaded animals. They are being sold for almost pennies, too. How are they made?? I like the penguins.

One of the ladies in our local Bead Society brought it to our attention. I think she heard of it through her church. I love doing things like this. I think it is so worthwhile.

Arline

I do! The aesthetic is so much different than ours, and it is so much fun to “travel” this way. Sounds like a great project you’re involved in, how did it start?

Thanks! I took more pictures, but they were all through glass, with glare from a window. These were the best ones.

The penguins were my favorite….

Don’t you love the beadwork the African women do? There is so much originality. Some of us here are sending beads to a group of women in Mongolia. Again, it is to help them support their families.

Great pics.

Arline

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