<![CDATA[Happy Mango Beads: Latest News]]> https://happymangobeads.com Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:37:04 +0000 <![CDATA[A Necklace in 3 Easy Steps]]> https://happymangobeads.com/blog/a-necklace-in-3-easy-steps/ Tue, 03 Jul 2018 10:30:56 +0000 https://happymangobeads.com/blog/a-necklace-in-3-easy-steps/ It's really as easy as 1-2-3! Wrap the chain around the pendant, string 3 beads through the chain, and add the clasp of your choice. There is a wide variety of pendants, beads and chain you can use but for this particular necklace, we used the following items:

5mm Gunmetal Chain

Lampwork Glass Beads

Green Agate Stone Pendant

]]> It's really as easy as 1-2-3! Wrap the chain around the pendant, string 3 beads through the chain, and add the clasp of your choice. There is a wide variety of pendants, beads and chain you can use but for this particular necklace, we used the following items:

5mm Gunmetal Chain

Lampwork Glass Beads

Green Agate Stone Pendant

]]> <![CDATA[Hamsa Lava Rock Bracelet Tutorial]]> https://happymangobeads.com/blog/hamsa-lava-rock-bracelet-tutorial/ Wed, 23 Aug 2017 09:48:24 +0000 https://happymangobeads.com/blog/hamsa-lava-rock-bracelet-tutorial/ The Hamsa Hand is an ancient Middle Eastern design symbolizing the Hand of God.  It is used in several faiths as a protective symbol.  It is said to bring the wearer happiness, luck, health, and good fortune.  We paired this hamsa hand bead with black natural lava rock beads to create this light-weight, stylish bracelet.  This tutorial would be great for beginners and can be easily modified to create your own unique look. HamsaBraceletMade01.JPG HamsaBracelet01.JPG

Suggested Supplies:

We used a 2-3mm glass African Trade bead for the accent bead in the center of our hamsa hand bead, but any 3mm or smaller bead will work.  This would be a great way to use any little spare beads you may have left over from another project. 

HamsaBracelet21.JPG This tutorial makes one 7" bracelet.  You will have extra lava beads left over.  If you need a longer bracelet, you may need a few extra pewter spacer beads.
 HamsaBracelet03.JPG Start by alternately stringing the lava beads and pewter spacers, beginning with a lava bead.  String 8 lava beads and 7 pewter spacers before adding the hamsa hand.  Place your 3mm or smaller accent bead inside the center of the hamsa hand bead and threat the wire all the way through.
 HamsaBracelet06.JPG String the second set of 8 lava beads and 7 pewter spacers and thread on the toggle ring.
 HamsaBracelet07.JPG Tie a simple loop to secure the toggle ring.  HamsaBracelet10.JPG Tie a second loop to create a knot and secure the knot with a dab of stringing glue.  Once the glue dries, snip off the extra wire with your wire cutters.  HamsaBracelet14.JPG Repeat this process to secure the bar of your toggle, and you're done! HamsaBraceletMade02.JPG

In the center bracelet here, we used some 8mm round gemstone beads in place of the black lava rock for an extra pop of color.  Browse all of 8mm round lava rock beads and gemstone beads to get inspired!

Happy beading!

]]> The Hamsa Hand is an ancient Middle Eastern design symbolizing the Hand of God.  It is used in several faiths as a protective symbol.  It is said to bring the wearer happiness, luck, health, and good fortune.  We paired this hamsa hand bead with black natural lava rock beads to create this light-weight, stylish bracelet.  This tutorial would be great for beginners and can be easily modified to create your own unique look. HamsaBraceletMade01.JPG HamsaBracelet01.JPG

Suggested Supplies:

We used a 2-3mm glass African Trade bead for the accent bead in the center of our hamsa hand bead, but any 3mm or smaller bead will work.  This would be a great way to use any little spare beads you may have left over from another project. 

HamsaBracelet21.JPG This tutorial makes one 7" bracelet.  You will have extra lava beads left over.  If you need a longer bracelet, you may need a few extra pewter spacer beads.
 HamsaBracelet03.JPG Start by alternately stringing the lava beads and pewter spacers, beginning with a lava bead.  String 8 lava beads and 7 pewter spacers before adding the hamsa hand.  Place your 3mm or smaller accent bead inside the center of the hamsa hand bead and threat the wire all the way through.
 HamsaBracelet06.JPG String the second set of 8 lava beads and 7 pewter spacers and thread on the toggle ring.
 HamsaBracelet07.JPG Tie a simple loop to secure the toggle ring.  HamsaBracelet10.JPG Tie a second loop to create a knot and secure the knot with a dab of stringing glue.  Once the glue dries, snip off the extra wire with your wire cutters.  HamsaBracelet14.JPG Repeat this process to secure the bar of your toggle, and you're done! HamsaBraceletMade02.JPG

In the center bracelet here, we used some 8mm round gemstone beads in place of the black lava rock for an extra pop of color.  Browse all of 8mm round lava rock beads and gemstone beads to get inspired!

Happy beading!

]]> <![CDATA[Get FREE Summer Solstice Beads!]]> https://happymangobeads.com/blog/free-summer-solstice-beads/ Tue, 13 Jun 2017 20:17:24 +0000 https://happymangobeads.com/blog/free-summer-solstice-beads/

On June 21st this year we will celebrate the June Solstice, also known as the Summer Solstice. This day marks the start of summer and the longest day of the year, as well as the shortest night.

The Summer Solstice holds a few fun facts you may or may not know:

    • The Earth is farthest away from the sun on this day.
    • The Summer Solstice is the only day of the year when the Arctic Circle has 24 hours of daylight.
    • In Latin, the summer solstice means “the sun stands still”.
    • Ancient cultures as well as present day celebrate with festivals, feasts, dance and music.
    • Stonehenge was used for Druid Solstice celebrations.
    • Alaskans played the longest baseball game without artificial light called the “Midnight Sun Game.”
    • Pagan celebrations were held to symbolize the balance of fire and water.
    • In Ancient Egypt, the Summer Solstice signified the New Year.

With the sun being straight over head, soak up those rays and take advantage of the longest day of vitamin D you can get, especially since this day is not commonly the hottest day of the year.

Isn’t it ironic that when the sun stands still we tend to move more and celebrate? Live by the sun and love by the moon, right?

Happy Solstice, Everyone!

Place any size order with Happy Mango Beads and enter “Free Beads for Summer Solstice” in the order instructions/comment box during checkout, and we’ll include a FREE baggie of a sunny summer solstice beads, like those pictured above, with your order! (this offer is good between now and June 21st)

]]>

On June 21st this year we will celebrate the June Solstice, also known as the Summer Solstice. This day marks the start of summer and the longest day of the year, as well as the shortest night.

The Summer Solstice holds a few fun facts you may or may not know:

    • The Earth is farthest away from the sun on this day.
    • The Summer Solstice is the only day of the year when the Arctic Circle has 24 hours of daylight.
    • In Latin, the summer solstice means “the sun stands still”.
    • Ancient cultures as well as present day celebrate with festivals, feasts, dance and music.
    • Stonehenge was used for Druid Solstice celebrations.
    • Alaskans played the longest baseball game without artificial light called the “Midnight Sun Game.”
    • Pagan celebrations were held to symbolize the balance of fire and water.
    • In Ancient Egypt, the Summer Solstice signified the New Year.

With the sun being straight over head, soak up those rays and take advantage of the longest day of vitamin D you can get, especially since this day is not commonly the hottest day of the year.

Isn’t it ironic that when the sun stands still we tend to move more and celebrate? Live by the sun and love by the moon, right?

Happy Solstice, Everyone!

Place any size order with Happy Mango Beads and enter “Free Beads for Summer Solstice” in the order instructions/comment box during checkout, and we’ll include a FREE baggie of a sunny summer solstice beads, like those pictured above, with your order! (this offer is good between now and June 21st)

]]> <![CDATA[Beads, Bows or Both?]]> https://happymangobeads.com/blog/beads-bows-or-both/ Sat, 03 Dec 2016 10:32:42 +0000 https://happymangobeads.com/blog/beads-bows-or-both/ hmb-presents-with-beads-1

Here’s something you don’t hear often, one of my absolute favorite things about the holidays is wrapping presents! I believe if a recipient sees my gift and doesn’t say, “it’s too pretty to unwrap”, I’ve stolen half the magic of opening a present. Perfectly creased edges of unique wrapping paper adorned with coordinating ribbon twisted and fluffed into a crowning bow are of joy and good tidings to me. I love coming up with new ways of stacking related presents in complimentary papers and using unusual items for ribbons and bows. Some of my go-to’s are ric-rac ribbon trim and hot-glued pompoms that create a bow of snowballs.

After we at Happy Mango Beads added so many fun and one of a kind pendants this year, I’ve been itching to play with how some would look on gift-wrapped packages. I paired the sparkle and class of the plated leaf pendants, a large pewter skeleton key and Tibetan amulet with simple papers and ribbon to really make them pop. To adorn a more masculine wrapping style I paired a rustic iron 'letter' pendant with natural colors and raffia. For the more colorful and festive papers I used ric-rac ribbon and assorted resin beads as focal points and painted a rustic iron snowflake pendant in matching colors to add sparkle. Most were tied on with the ribbon but some had to be sewn onto the ribbon to create the perfect hang and sway. Let’s be honest, we all have extra beads, why not use them!

-Courtney

hmb-presents-with-beads-3

hmb-presents-with-beads-4

hmb-presents-with-beads-9

hmb-presents-with-beads-6

hmb-presents-with-beads-2

hmb-presents-with-beads-10

hmb-presents-with-beads-8

hmb-presents-with-beads-13

]]> hmb-presents-with-beads-1

Here’s something you don’t hear often, one of my absolute favorite things about the holidays is wrapping presents! I believe if a recipient sees my gift and doesn’t say, “it’s too pretty to unwrap”, I’ve stolen half the magic of opening a present. Perfectly creased edges of unique wrapping paper adorned with coordinating ribbon twisted and fluffed into a crowning bow are of joy and good tidings to me. I love coming up with new ways of stacking related presents in complimentary papers and using unusual items for ribbons and bows. Some of my go-to’s are ric-rac ribbon trim and hot-glued pompoms that create a bow of snowballs.

After we at Happy Mango Beads added so many fun and one of a kind pendants this year, I’ve been itching to play with how some would look on gift-wrapped packages. I paired the sparkle and class of the plated leaf pendants, a large pewter skeleton key and Tibetan amulet with simple papers and ribbon to really make them pop. To adorn a more masculine wrapping style I paired a rustic iron 'letter' pendant with natural colors and raffia. For the more colorful and festive papers I used ric-rac ribbon and assorted resin beads as focal points and painted a rustic iron snowflake pendant in matching colors to add sparkle. Most were tied on with the ribbon but some had to be sewn onto the ribbon to create the perfect hang and sway. Let’s be honest, we all have extra beads, why not use them!

-Courtney

hmb-presents-with-beads-3

hmb-presents-with-beads-4

hmb-presents-with-beads-9

hmb-presents-with-beads-6

hmb-presents-with-beads-2

hmb-presents-with-beads-10

hmb-presents-with-beads-8

hmb-presents-with-beads-13

]]> <![CDATA[Stacked Stone Pendant Tutorial]]> https://happymangobeads.com/blog/stacked-stone-pendant-tutorial/ Tue, 29 Nov 2016 10:04:07 +0000 https://happymangobeads.com/blog/stacked-stone-pendant-tutorial/ The stacked stones in this earthy, nature inspired pendant have zen-like appeal, and the tiny pewter accents give it a little shine! Adrianne of Happy Hour Projects made it, and you can, too! "I love the natural elements that Happy Mango Beads is known for – it’s my go-to source when I’m looking for something rustic, organic, or unusual." says Adrianne.

stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-6.jpg
stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-1.jpg

Supplies:

 

stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-2.jpg
Begin by cutting a length of wire approximately 8 inches long.  (This doesn’t have to be exact – you’ll be trimming any excess off.)  About an inch from one end, wrap your wire around one side of your round nose pliers, forming a loop.  Next, wrap 2-3 times around the wire itself under the loop, as shown above.  Trim off the excess wire.
stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-3.jpg
Next, stack one pewter disc bead onto the wire so that it rests against the loop you just made.  Then, add stone beads in a graduated pattern from largest to smallest.  There’s a lot of flexibility in this step; you can try different sizes or shapes together to see what you like the looks of best.  I used flatter stones and added seven.  You may enjoy the look of more or less!  Once you’re happy with your stack, create a large loop in the wire at the top of the stones.
stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-4.jpg
 Wrap the tail end of the wire around, between the loop and the top of the stones to fill the gap between.  I continued to wrap several times, creating a spiral on top of the smallest stone.  Because we’re working with irregular elements, don’t focus on the number of times to wrap or the exact dimensions to create, but rather let the stones you have selected guide you.  Each necklace will be slightly different, and unique from all the others!
stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-5.jpg
Next, attach a charm or two at the bottom of the stone stack with a jump ring.  I used an open heart bead, and then at the last minute also decided that I wanted to bring the color down further.  I threaded a 4mm teal rondelle crystal glass bead onto a head pin, added a bead cap so that the bead was just barely peeking out, and wrapped the top of the charm in the same way as I finished the stacked stones – form a loop, and wrap the wire around the pin.  Trim off the excess wire. This is another area where you may wish to add different elements, attaching each charm at the bottom with a 5mm jump ring.
  stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-7.jpg
Finally, I strung the pendant onto a long (30″) chain.  Because I slip the long necklaces over my head, I typically don’t bother to add a clasp to them, I just attach the two ends of the chain together with a jump ring!  You can of course add a lobster clasp to finish yours – especially if you’re planning to sell your pieces, or planning to shorten the chain to a length that might not slip over everyone’s heads.

This piece is easy to make once you’ve mastered basic wire wrapping, and jewelry artists with some experience will find that this piece comes together in 10 minutes or less!

Adrianne Surian of Happy Hour Projects

  stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-8.jpg
]]> The stacked stones in this earthy, nature inspired pendant have zen-like appeal, and the tiny pewter accents give it a little shine! Adrianne of Happy Hour Projects made it, and you can, too! "I love the natural elements that Happy Mango Beads is known for – it’s my go-to source when I’m looking for something rustic, organic, or unusual." says Adrianne.

stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-6.jpg
stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-1.jpg

Supplies:

 

stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-2.jpg
Begin by cutting a length of wire approximately 8 inches long.  (This doesn’t have to be exact – you’ll be trimming any excess off.)  About an inch from one end, wrap your wire around one side of your round nose pliers, forming a loop.  Next, wrap 2-3 times around the wire itself under the loop, as shown above.  Trim off the excess wire.
stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-3.jpg
Next, stack one pewter disc bead onto the wire so that it rests against the loop you just made.  Then, add stone beads in a graduated pattern from largest to smallest.  There’s a lot of flexibility in this step; you can try different sizes or shapes together to see what you like the looks of best.  I used flatter stones and added seven.  You may enjoy the look of more or less!  Once you’re happy with your stack, create a large loop in the wire at the top of the stones.
stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-4.jpg
 Wrap the tail end of the wire around, between the loop and the top of the stones to fill the gap between.  I continued to wrap several times, creating a spiral on top of the smallest stone.  Because we’re working with irregular elements, don’t focus on the number of times to wrap or the exact dimensions to create, but rather let the stones you have selected guide you.  Each necklace will be slightly different, and unique from all the others!
stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-5.jpg
Next, attach a charm or two at the bottom of the stone stack with a jump ring.  I used an open heart bead, and then at the last minute also decided that I wanted to bring the color down further.  I threaded a 4mm teal rondelle crystal glass bead onto a head pin, added a bead cap so that the bead was just barely peeking out, and wrapped the top of the charm in the same way as I finished the stacked stones – form a loop, and wrap the wire around the pin.  Trim off the excess wire. This is another area where you may wish to add different elements, attaching each charm at the bottom with a 5mm jump ring.
  stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-7.jpg
Finally, I strung the pendant onto a long (30″) chain.  Because I slip the long necklaces over my head, I typically don’t bother to add a clasp to them, I just attach the two ends of the chain together with a jump ring!  You can of course add a lobster clasp to finish yours – especially if you’re planning to sell your pieces, or planning to shorten the chain to a length that might not slip over everyone’s heads.

This piece is easy to make once you’ve mastered basic wire wrapping, and jewelry artists with some experience will find that this piece comes together in 10 minutes or less!

Adrianne Surian of Happy Hour Projects

  stacked-stone-pewter-pendant-8.jpg
]]> <![CDATA[African Dreams Bracelet by Toni Brundage]]> https://happymangobeads.com/blog/african-dreams-bracelet-by-toni-brundage/ Fri, 11 Nov 2016 10:10:19 +0000 https://happymangobeads.com/blog/african-dreams-bracelet-by-toni-brundage/ Toni Brundage, a long-time Happy Mango Beads customer, purchased our African Dreams Bead Collection and she created this wonderful bracelet!

"I am inspired by nature, especially sunsets – it is a constant source of inspiration. I love photography so I spend a lot of time photographing birds, flowers, etc. I like how everything in nature has its own unique identity. There is always going to be that one thing that is different, making no two trees the same, no two birds the same. I enjoy designing jewelry that is different. I would give most of my inspiration credit to my dad. He was always taking pieces of nature like wisteria vines, rocks, etc and turning them into a beautiful piece of art." -Toni Brundage

Visit Toni's website to see more of her beautiful work: www.creationsbytonimbrundage.com

]]> Toni Brundage, a long-time Happy Mango Beads customer, purchased our African Dreams Bead Collection and she created this wonderful bracelet!

"I am inspired by nature, especially sunsets – it is a constant source of inspiration. I love photography so I spend a lot of time photographing birds, flowers, etc. I like how everything in nature has its own unique identity. There is always going to be that one thing that is different, making no two trees the same, no two birds the same. I enjoy designing jewelry that is different. I would give most of my inspiration credit to my dad. He was always taking pieces of nature like wisteria vines, rocks, etc and turning them into a beautiful piece of art." -Toni Brundage

Visit Toni's website to see more of her beautiful work: www.creationsbytonimbrundage.com

]]> <![CDATA[Where Does Happy Mango Beads Live?]]> https://happymangobeads.com/blog/where-does-happy-mango-beads-live/ Wed, 02 Nov 2016 18:35:24 +0000 https://happymangobeads.com/blog/where-does-happy-mango-beads-live/

Have you ever wondered exactly where Happy Mango Beads is located?

This picture shows our building (before and after). We purchased this 100 year old building 4 1/2 years ago in beautiful, historic downtown Berthoud, Colorado and we renovated it. We completely gutted it, stripped paint off the brick, even excavated the ground underneath, a tremendous project! It used to be a livery stable called 'City Star Barn' and so we kept that name..

The building is huge, 10,000 sq feet, and our bead warehouse and office is in the back corner.

In 2012 we received the Colorado Governor's award for the 'best adaptive reuse of a historic building' - a great honor. We are proud!

Anyway... this is where Happy Mango Beads lives.

]]>

Have you ever wondered exactly where Happy Mango Beads is located?

This picture shows our building (before and after). We purchased this 100 year old building 4 1/2 years ago in beautiful, historic downtown Berthoud, Colorado and we renovated it. We completely gutted it, stripped paint off the brick, even excavated the ground underneath, a tremendous project! It used to be a livery stable called 'City Star Barn' and so we kept that name..

The building is huge, 10,000 sq feet, and our bead warehouse and office is in the back corner.

In 2012 we received the Colorado Governor's award for the 'best adaptive reuse of a historic building' - a great honor. We are proud!

Anyway... this is where Happy Mango Beads lives.

]]> <![CDATA[Trick or Treat at Happy Mango Beads!]]> https://happymangobeads.com/blog/trick-or-treat-at-happy-mango-beads/ Tue, 25 Oct 2016 15:58:45 +0000 https://happymangobeads.com/blog/trick-or-treat-at-happy-mango-beads/ Save 10% off your entire order, plus receive a FREE baggie of assorted Halloween beads and charms by simply entering TRICKorTREAT in the coupon code box during checkout. (expires October 31st)

]]> Save 10% off your entire order, plus receive a FREE baggie of assorted Halloween beads and charms by simply entering TRICKorTREAT in the coupon code box during checkout. (expires October 31st)

]]> <![CDATA[​ Lessons Learned from the GPS Lady]]> https://happymangobeads.com/blog/-lessons-learned-from-the-gps-lady/ Tue, 04 Oct 2016 03:40:47 +0000 https://happymangobeads.com/blog/-lessons-learned-from-the-gps-lady/ We’ve traveled a lot but we’ve never used GPS. There was always an additional charge for it when renting a car, and, quite honestly, I’m a map-person, I love maps, and I’m also a great navigator (aka nagrivator).

The car we are currently renting came with GPS, it was a free upgrade and we were stuck with it. We didn’t use it at all, until we were lost someplace in the Italian Dolomites (Alps). The GPS Lady saved us and we made it safely to our hotel in time for dinner. Whew!

From that point on we’ve used it constantly. The GPS Lady has become somewhat of a traveling companion. Irritating a solid 10% of the time, but quite pleasurable 90%. However, those percentages are rapidly changing. Did we make her mad? Did she drink too much vino? Or is she just bored with her day to day in-dash existence?

Some notes:

  • She’s very polite. Never swears. Takes criticism with grace.
  • We originally thought she was British, but later decided she was Russian – she’s definitely not Italian.
  • When she says LOAD, she really means ROAD (this is important).
  • She loses her mind when you’re driving in a tunnel. The longer the tunnel, the crazier she gets. If in a tunnel, don’t listen to a word she says; ignore her instructions to make a u-turn or any turn for that matter.
  • She falls asleep at the most inappropriate times, and then wakes up with a flurry of instructions. Always scares the hell out of us!
  • She enjoys roadside breaks as much as we do, but suggests them at the silliest moments, usually just as we are leaving an auto-café (having just finished our espressos). “Hello? GPS Lady? Having trouble going back to work, are you?”
  • We’re happy to call the GPS Lady our friend and we’ll miss her after our trip concludes.

Meanwhile, enjoy a few of our travel photos below.

PS: We're very lucky that Happy Mango takes us to Italy on a buying trip, and soon you'll see some wonderful new items which will be available on our webstore ... stay tuned! 

Limone sul Garda, Italy

Castelrotto, Italy

Dan and Rudi (Happy Mango owners) looking into a traffic mirror in Italy.

Near Fumane, Italy

Piazza Erbe, Verona, Italy

]]> We’ve traveled a lot but we’ve never used GPS. There was always an additional charge for it when renting a car, and, quite honestly, I’m a map-person, I love maps, and I’m also a great navigator (aka nagrivator).

The car we are currently renting came with GPS, it was a free upgrade and we were stuck with it. We didn’t use it at all, until we were lost someplace in the Italian Dolomites (Alps). The GPS Lady saved us and we made it safely to our hotel in time for dinner. Whew!

From that point on we’ve used it constantly. The GPS Lady has become somewhat of a traveling companion. Irritating a solid 10% of the time, but quite pleasurable 90%. However, those percentages are rapidly changing. Did we make her mad? Did she drink too much vino? Or is she just bored with her day to day in-dash existence?

Some notes:

  • She’s very polite. Never swears. Takes criticism with grace.
  • We originally thought she was British, but later decided she was Russian – she’s definitely not Italian.
  • When she says LOAD, she really means ROAD (this is important).
  • She loses her mind when you’re driving in a tunnel. The longer the tunnel, the crazier she gets. If in a tunnel, don’t listen to a word she says; ignore her instructions to make a u-turn or any turn for that matter.
  • She falls asleep at the most inappropriate times, and then wakes up with a flurry of instructions. Always scares the hell out of us!
  • She enjoys roadside breaks as much as we do, but suggests them at the silliest moments, usually just as we are leaving an auto-café (having just finished our espressos). “Hello? GPS Lady? Having trouble going back to work, are you?”
  • We’re happy to call the GPS Lady our friend and we’ll miss her after our trip concludes.

Meanwhile, enjoy a few of our travel photos below.

PS: We're very lucky that Happy Mango takes us to Italy on a buying trip, and soon you'll see some wonderful new items which will be available on our webstore ... stay tuned! 

Limone sul Garda, Italy

Castelrotto, Italy

Dan and Rudi (Happy Mango owners) looking into a traffic mirror in Italy.

Near Fumane, Italy

Piazza Erbe, Verona, Italy

]]> <![CDATA[Kuchi Beaded Medallions from Afghanistan]]> https://happymangobeads.com/blog/kuchi-beaded-medallions-from-afghanistan/ Thu, 21 Jul 2016 18:31:23 +0000 https://happymangobeads.com/blog/kuchi-beaded-medallions-from-afghanistan/ "I was wandering around the Chatuchak Market in Bangkok when I discovered these colorful little treasures. A group of Afghan women were offering a variety of trinkets, textiles and jewelry for sale. I was drawn to the fine beadwork and the fun ethic patterns, and so of course I had to buy them to share with our Happy Mango customers!"

These old beaded medallions are actually 'patches' which are were at one time sewn onto dresses and belts as ornamentation by the Kuchi (nomadic) people of Afghanistan. Each piece was handcrafted, typically by a young girl as she was learning the art of beadwork and embroidery. Every medallion is unique, no two are identical.

You can find them at this link.

Shop Happy Mango Beads

]]> "I was wandering around the Chatuchak Market in Bangkok when I discovered these colorful little treasures. A group of Afghan women were offering a variety of trinkets, textiles and jewelry for sale. I was drawn to the fine beadwork and the fun ethic patterns, and so of course I had to buy them to share with our Happy Mango customers!"

These old beaded medallions are actually 'patches' which are were at one time sewn onto dresses and belts as ornamentation by the Kuchi (nomadic) people of Afghanistan. Each piece was handcrafted, typically by a young girl as she was learning the art of beadwork and embroidery. Every medallion is unique, no two are identical.

You can find them at this link.

Shop Happy Mango Beads

]]>