Venture Imports – Recycled Glass Jewelry

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Posted on February 21, 2013 by Fair Trade Town: Chicago

Venture Imports is a company dedicated to providing employment to people in developing countries by providing them with access to North American markets.  They work with artisans from Kenya, Liberia, and Zimbabwe; making sure these producers earn a fair wage in the local context.  Here is an example of how one of their products, glass jewelry beads, are produced. It is quite a laborious process for the artists to create recycled glass jewelry.   It all starts with Simon gathering glass bottles from local bars.   After the bottles are washed, the labels need to be removed and the bottles broken into little pieces.   The little pieces of glass are then put into a kiln to be heated and formed into colorful shapes which the artists use to create our beautiful bracelets, earrings and necklaces. Here is a peek at the artists at work: Step 1:   The bottles are washed and labels are removed. Step 2:  After the bottles are washed, they are carefully broken into small pieces.   This is Joseph breaking the bottles. Step 3:    The pieces of glass are put into a kiln to be heated and formed into shapes.  This is Daniel heating the glass.   Step 4:  This is Joseph forming the glass into a bead. Step 5:  Here is Patrick making a hand-knotted bracelet using the glass beads. Step 6: The final product – a beautiful green recycled glass charm on a hand knotted bracelet! It is quite a laborious process for the artists to create recycled glass jewelry.   It all starts with Simon gathering glass bottles from local bars.   After the bottles are washed, the labels need to be removed and the bottles broken into little pieces.   The little pieces of glass are then put into a kiln to be heated and formed into colorful shapes which the artists use to create our beautiful bracelets, earrings and necklaces.