I was born in Triest, Italy. After spending many years in Spain and Germany, I moved with my husband to Ghana in 2003. As a cat lover, I started to rescue sick and injured cats from the streets. I have over 30 cats, and many require medical attention. Trying to finance the enormous expenses related to my cat sanctuary, I opened this shop on Etsy but, with time, I developed a tremendous interest in the art and craft of this country, Ghana. how they made (and how they are still doing it), their beads and the reasoning behind the choices of colours were fascinating. Jewellery is a big part of their culture. Selling the glass beads and making my handcrafted earrings, bracelets, and necklaces was only one step! I then opened a new shop, selling my jewellery. Thank you for taking the time to read and look at it!
As an expatriate living in Ghana, I have a big interest in African art and bead history, especially in the old Venetian glass beads and the recycled glass beads made actually in Ghana from old bottles, window glass etc. The ornaments, in Africa, since prehistoric times, are a visual language that communicates social information, concerning which group, tribe, or clan, they recognise and identify themselves. Beads are an essential part of this communication and transmit the culture and values of the community in a symbolic language that expresses rank, religion, politics and attitudes. The most luxurious jewels were and still are made by the Ashanti of Ghana that alternate bronze or brass beads melted with the system of the lost wax in the shape of mythical animals, adinkra symbols, or three-dimensional geometric shapes. With this shop, I would like to create awareness of this rich culture, art and craft of the Sub-Sahara Region. All proceeds from the sale of these beads go to “The One & Only Cat Sanctuary in Ghana”.