Women Helping Women
by Carrie Weintz
(Oregon City, OR)
Black Kazuri Beads Painted with 14k Gold Paint
I started my business less than a year ago. My mentor is my 70-year old Aunt who has been making jewelry for six years.
No, she doesn't make jewelry using daisies! In fact, she's very hip and you would never guess she's 70.
Combining my Aunt's experience and abilities, with my desire to operate a business which releases my own creativity, yet touches people in a special way, we've created Asha's Jewelry Design.
I chose the name "Asha" because it's a feminine name which means Hope and Life.
Our jewelry is made primarily using Kazuri beads from Africa. These are ceramic beads hand-formed and hand-painted by disadvantaged women in Kenya. They get paid almost four times more than the average wage for Africa, and they're able to feed large extended families daily due to their employment.
Kazuri offers free education on hygiene, AIDS, Malaria and personal finances. These women are highly respected as very few women are able to work in Africa.
Choosing to make our jewelry with Kazuri beads is our way to help the women in Kenya stay employed.
We are proud to show off these beautiful and unique beads in our jewelry line, and spread the "Kazuri" story to our customers. In a creative way, we are women.... helping women.
- Carrie Weintz of
Asha's Jewelry Design
