Part of the Acholi recycled paper bead collection, this necklace is always very popular with its addition of African fabric! The fabric tie is great as it means the necklace can be worn at different lengths! All the fabrics used in these necklaces is similar and there are some with orange accents and others with green so choose your favourite!

You can actually see details such as writing in some of these beads from the recycled magazines they're made from!

Each of these necklaces is slightly different due to the nature of the material so the one you receive may not be exactly the same as the one in the picture although very similar.

Each piece from the recycled beads collection comes from the Acholi quarters in Kampala, Uganda. This area has been given it's name as it is now inhabited by people from Acholiland who fled the war in the North of the country.

Where the Acholi people came to settle in the city is next to a quarry. Many engage in work at the quart which is tough and poorly paid. With no protection workers hands are often scarred at the end of a day's work from using a hammer to break bigger rocks into smaller rocks.

Making the recycled paper beads is a nicer way for the Acholi people to use their hands. They take old paper, such as magazines, cut them and roll them into the beads which they will then finish with paint and varnish. You will even see on some of the beads details such as writing from the magazine's they're made from.

People are often surprised when they are told the story of the beads as they can't believe the now hard, substantial, colourful beads started their life as paper!

The main market for these products within Uganda is craft markets however buyers often give a low or unfair price. When I purchase the beads the price is always dictated by the seller to make sure they're getting what they want for their goods. fabric and recycled paper bead necklace matched perfectly with the paper bead wrap bracelet.