© feeliz

The Peranakan culture, which is well known for its beads, is a rare and unique culture which is slowly fading. The beads, which are a form of the Peranakan handicraft, still retain their beauty and exclusivity, as the beading is handmade by the Peranakan artisans. Peranakan beads are sewed on to slippers by hand and this is a very essential part of the centuries old culture. The beads are imported from Japan and the Czech Republic and are first sewn on a canvas, before mounting on a frame. Rare, finely faceted antique beads are also used on the slippers. The Peranakan beads and the beaded slippers and other products, being traditional art, are being marketed for heritage and tourism purposes as well. One pair of Peranakan slippers, which contains the rare beads, can fetch up to USD 1,500.

© nyoin

A jewelry designer in Hudson, Wisconsin has created a line of bead jewelry made from recycled plastic and glass that helps to provide some income for women living in Ghana, Africa. Liz Lampman recently completed a month-long internship in Ghana with the fair trade organization called Global Mamas, with a main assignment of writing promotional stories for Global Mamas' website.

Yet soon after arriving in the capital city of Accra, she learned of a woman who made beads from plastic water bottles. Global Mamas wanted to purchase the beads from the woman but didn't have a way to use them, so Lampman's assignment quickly changed into jewelry design. Her Water Bead line of earrings, necklaces and bracelets is now being sold by Global Mamas in shops throughout the US and abroad.