Beaded jewelry sold online to help fight AIDS in S. Africa
\nBeaded Hope buys artwork, providing income for medical treatment
\nCincinnati Business Courier – April 7, 2006<\/p>\n
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Some people send money. But Jennifer Davis is hoping to improve the lives of the poor in South Africa one bead at a time.<\/p>\n
Davis runs a two-year-old jewelry-making business called Jennifer’s Designs, which sells her work at home shows. In November, she founded Beaded Hope, an online company that employs women in Mamelodi, South Africa, to make beadwork that is sold in the United States.<\/p>\n
The goal is to help eliminate AIDS in this South African community, which is ravaged by the virus. By employing the locals of Mamelodi, Davis is providing not only freedom, but an income so people can afford medical treatments.<\/p>\n
Since Davis and her partners buy the product directly from the artists, they are paid immediately.<\/p>\n
“You can make a difference and all it takes is the sale of one beaded red ribbon,” she said. “That can feed someone for two days.”<\/p>\n
The red ribbon pin sells for $5.<\/p>\n
Beadwork in South Africa is an art form. Eventually, they will be sold on the site beadedhope.com, but for now, the intricate pieces, which include pins, key rings and household accessories, are available at Second Chance Consignment, at 11792 Springfield Pike, and at shows. Pieces of the Mamelodi beaded work will be for sale at the Sarah Center, 1600 Vine St., on April 8.<\/p>\n
Davis traveled to Mamelodi last summer to evaluate the possibility of setting up the beadwork collaborative.<\/p>\n
Members of Beaded Hope, which is now run by six volunteers, will travel to Mamelodi this summer to purchase more work from the local women and return it to the United States.<\/p>\n
“I just absolutely have a passion for Africa that has been undeniable,” Davis said. “It’s a life-altering experience, once you experience what’s going on in a Third-World country.”<\/p>\n
Long-term goals are to have her own store as well as sales outside of Cincinnati.<\/p>\n
Fasig covers retail for the Courier. Call her with story tips at (513) 337-9435, or e-mail her at lfasig@bizjournals.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Beaded jewelry sold online to help fight AIDS in S. Africa Beaded Hope buys artwork, providing income for medical treatment Cincinnati Business Courier – April 7, 2006 Some people send money. But Jennifer Davis is hoping to improve the lives of the poor in South Africa one bead at a time. Davis runs a two-year-old […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[411],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n