The Bead Museum in Glendale Arizona hosted a Leakey Collection trunk show last week where I had the pleasure of being a guest lecturer to a very warm and receptive group. I was happy to discuss Zulugrass, Zuluwood and how it benefits the Maasai.  Founded in 1984, this museum is a cultural treasure that specializes in the study of the universality of beads and how they connect cultures.  The global and ancient traditions of using beads in prayer, meditation, healing, social status, and adornment is carefully studied and that knowledge is made accessible to the public. What better venue is there for me to share our experiences with our beading community and the global connection to this process? 

The exhibitions are magnificent and reminded me of the important historical and artistic meaning of beads to all cultures- past and present.  The museum houses an impressive international collection of over 100,000 beads and beaded pieces.  The permanent collection features “The History of Beads” featuring precious artifacts dating back thousands of years.  This collection left me with a sense of the historical and cultural significance of beading.  I was also amazed with their “Beads from Nature” collection where visitors will learn the oldest beads were made of ostrich eggshell found where else; but the Rift Valley, Kenya nearly 40,000 years ago. 

If you are ever in the Glendale area, I highly recommend a stop to this unique and wonderful place.  I was left with a renewed sense of purpose as we and the Maasai carry on this important tradition. 

Sales Consultant Jan Syvertsen pictured with Attachments NJ store owner Karen Shankoff

Originally uploaded by amypdunn21
Great news coming from our Sales Consultant Jan Syversten! Zulugrass is a top selling item at Attachments NJ this month! Owner Karen Shankoff says they can’t seem to keep enough necklaces in stock! The customers love giving this as a gift; in fact it was the number one gift for teachers this year.

These wonderful customers are also are making donations to raise money to buy shoes for the children of the Maasai. Jan attended an event called “Music on Main” and spoke to about 1000 people about this initiative. She has also distributed donation cans to other businesses throughout the area! We greatly appreciate the generosity of the people in Flemington NJ and what they are doing for the Maasai.

If you are ever in the area, plan to stop in and say hello to sisters Karen and Jodi and ask for Karen’s “Zulu to Go” package.

http://attachmentsnj.com

I want to share a story that touched me and continues to inspire me.  This came from Jan Syvertsen, one of our sales consultants in California….    

Helping Hands Loving Hearts is a gift shop that caters to a wide variety of tourists and regular shore visitors in the beach town of Lavallette, NJ.   The store opened in 2003 when Carol Borrelli was asked to do a fund-raiser for a child with Joubert Syndrome; a disease so rare it did not generate enough public interest to create a foundation that could help.  Carol was overwhelmed with requests to find a ways to help the families affected by illness and decided the way to help her community was to open this non profit store.  

Carol and her coworker, Nelson Hyers continue to dedicate themselves to their work and find tremendous joy and satisfaction with what they do each day!  Children are now referred to them through Social Services and other children’s hospitals in the region.   In addition to meeting basic needs like shoes, food, and other personal items; they help defray some of the medical costs that are overwhelming to most of these families.  Sadly, many of the fathers end up leaving their families and create a tremendous burden for the now single mom with a very ill child.

Meanwhile, the Maasai women are beading in Kenya - making a living wage and taking care of their own families.  Their work gives them an income to provide food year round and pay the education expenses for their children.  Then across the world in a little town on the Jersey shore, women benefiting from the sale of these same beads, and again, taking care of their children…

“Women helping Women” is truly happening here.  These women will never meet each other but I personally get to see the benefit done to both and it makes what I do so meaningful…marketing this creative and unique jewelry from one country to another.  I have met some of the most wonderful store owners who truly care about carrying products that make a difference in this world!  Carol and Nelson have taken it one step further and donated all their profits to meet the needs of the children.  All those who shop in the store see pictures of the kids…they may hear about a specific child and how they are doing and will then participate in this great endeavor through their own purchase.   They hear about the women thousands of miles away in Kenya who are sitting under the Acacia trees beading and also enjoying the opportunity to be part of The Leakey Collection!  This wonderful store is yet another bridge that connects one culture to another.  For more information on Helping Hands Loving Hearts, visit their site http://www.helpinghandslovinghearts.com/.