GINGA SQUID JEWELLERY - FUNKY, FUN, FABULOUS?..ORGANIC & FAIR TRADE

Ginga Squid designs make bold, funky and fabulous organic statements using fossils, sea urchin spines, silver, gemstones, shells, primative and ethnic beads and African clay Kazuri beads - with accents in wood, bone, horn and glass.

Each Ginga Squid piece of art jewellery is an exclusive work of wearable art that is individually handcrafted in New Zealand from an original concept, designed by the artist herself (Vicky T. Hunt).

Apart from the buzz of designing and making one-off organic art jewellery pieces, Vicky gets a real thrill out of sourcing rare and unique stones and beads for her designs. Many of her pieces, especially those set with designer cabochons, are totally unique items of wearable art where she has sought to display the beauty of the stone unlocked by the lapidary.

Her favourite components to work with are the Fair Trade African KAZURI beads. These clay beads are amazing - they shine with a kaleidoscope of African colours and each bead she purchases for her designs makes a difference in someone?s life.

The mission of Kazuri is to provide and sustain employment opportunities for disadvantaged members of the Kenyan society.

1975, Lady Susan Wood set up a fledging business making beads in a small shed in her back garden in an African village. She started by hiring two disadvantaged women, and quickly realised that there were many more women who were in need of jobs and so Kazuri Beads (Swahili for 'small and beautiful') was created outside Nairobi, Kenya on the former coffee plantation of Karen Blixen (of Out of Africa fame).

In 1988, Kazuri became a factory and expanded hugely with over 120 women and men. Today it continues its long and successful journey as a help center for over 300 needy women, especially single mothers who have no other source of income.