Recycled Glass Bead Dangle Earrings, "Akpe"

"I was born in Abora and I am a sociable, hardworking and caring person. I am also a jewelry designer.

"I admire women wearing beads to accessorize their apparel. Beads have a way of enhancing the beauty of a woman. Wearing beads also make me feel confident as a woman. As I look in the mirror I imagine different designs and combination of beads, and how they can fit with the clothes I have. This is how I first started: I kept wondering how I could learn to strings beads to create the various designs I imagined.

"Then one day, on my way to picking my daughter from school, I saw three women busily stringing beads. I got so excited that I approached them and asked if they would be willing to teach me. Their leader, known as Mama Grace, said she would teach me, all she required of me was the passion for beads. I enrolled and within a year, I could string beautiful beads.

"I kept practicing to improve upon my skills. I began stringing the designs that came to mind when I'd look in the mirror. Friends admired my beads and soon I was stringing beads upon their requests. It does not require much capital to make these individual orders. So starting on my own was a gradual process.

"My favorite thing about stringing beads is how individual beads strung together can create a chain of beauty. When a customer suggests a design, the contemplation as to whether or not the finished product will meet the satisfaction of the customer is most challenging.

"My inspiration comes to me through dreams. Also, as I hold the beads, a design is formed in my mind. I love to counsel women and I believe this gift would bring me closer to more women to be able to assist them.

"My dream is to see people wear my beads on all occasions, including celebrities. I also want to be able to export beads in larger quantities across the world. I look forward to selling my beads on both the local and the international market.

"I use stone beads, crystals, recycled plastic beads, nylon thread and gold hooks to string my beads."