JEWELLERY

About Lindi

Lindi jewellery is created with one eye on the latest fashion, the other on classic, timeless yet unique design. Each piece is created with detailed care and attention.

Lindi's stunning collections are handcrafted in England using ethically sourced materials, from suppliers who encourage a positive impact, avoiding worker exploitation and environmental damage. We incorporate recycled glass, bone, natural seeds and gather these materials mainly from across Western and Southern Africa, taking exceptional care in selecting our suppliers.

No two beads are ever the same. We use a variety of bead styles in our jewellery including translucent glass beads, powdered glass beads, painted glass beads, natural seed and bone beads. We connect with African communities who hand produce each individual glass bead. Our African glass beads are made from 100% recycled glass. The process is entirely manual, from the grinding of the glass, to the firing process within a kiln, that does not emit toxic waste as even the fuel is natural, and used sparingly. The beads themselves have an interesting rustic looking handmade quality where each bead is truly unique and beautiful. It is a very labor intensive and time consuming process.

The Art of Beadmaking
In developing countries, bead making is a traditional practice that has been passed down through many generations. In addition to their function in cultural expressions, the continuation of bead production is important for economic and sustainable development. Africa in its entirety counts itself as one of the least fuel emittent continents on the planet, and we are committed to making a positive contribution to the communities who make our glass beads.

The Process
Discarded bottles and other glass are collected and organised by colour, and the glass crushed into fine pieces, put into clay molds (also hand-formed) and fired in clay ovens. Once the glass has melted in the oven, the beads are hand-formed with tools to insert holes and smooth out the edges. Of the beads that have been formed, some will then get hand-painted, and will again be fired in the clay oven to secure the paint. The finished beads are washed and then strung together.