Kazuri
Beads and pottery Centre produce brightly-colored, handmade ceramic jewellery
which are sold all over the world. Kazuri Beads supports literally hundreds of
disadvantaged Kenyan women, by providing employment and healthcare services for
them and their families.
Kazuri
Beads is a popular place for many guests who have just a few hours to spend seeing
the sights of Nairobi. The main showroom and workshop is located close to many
attractions and tourist venues in the leafy suburbs of Karen.
The
workshop is just a stones-throw away from the Karen Blixen Museum (named after
Karen Blixen of the award winning film and book 'Out Of Africa')
Kazuri
means "small and beautiful" in Swahili and this describes each and every
beautifully handmade ceramic bead which is shaped by hand by the women who work
at the Kazuri workshop. The beads are kiln fired once, glazed and then fired again
before being strung.
Kazuri
Beads Workshop Tours
A
visit to the Kazuri Beads workshop and craft centre takes approximately one hour
and here you will see the various processes.
A
knowledgeable guide will show you around where you will see the whole process
from the molding of raw clay through to the glazing, decorating and threading
of beads as finished products. The salesroom is attractively laid out and a beautiful
place to visit.
The
History of Kazuri Beads:
The
company was originally founded by the late Lady Susan Wood in 1975, who created
employment for struggling single mothers in the locality. Kazuri is still located
in its’ original setting in Karen, and the workshop there now has over 340
local women who are employed, most of them still being single mothers.
Care
and welfare of Kazuri employees:
It's
good to know that each piece of jewellery sold from the Kazuri Beads store is
in some way helping people who really need it. The Kazuri workshop in Karen is
equipped with a clinic, which provides free medical care for the employees.
80%
of the medical bills outside the Factory Clinic are also absorbed by Kazuri. In
their mission statement Kazuri say that "the greatest contribution we can
make is to create employment, especially for the disadvantaged and this remains
our guiding philosophy. The result is reflected in the strength of the Kazuri
Family and the beauty of our products."
Kazuri
Beads Outlets:
Kazuri
have outlets at various places around Nairobi and a worldwide distribution network.
They are a fair trade company and you can buy their jewellery online.
In
addition to the main sales room and workshop in Karen, retail stores selling Kazuri
beads in Nairobi are found in the Westgate Shopping Centre, Viking House (by Westlands
roundabout), The Junction Shopping Centre and Capital Centre.
Kazuri
beads factory and pottery centre, Karen blixen and the giraffe centre tour includes:
*Pickup
from your hotel in Nairobi and drop-off to your hotel
*Visit Kazuri beads factory
and pottery centre, Karen blixen and the giraffe centre tour in Langata, Karen,
Nairobi.
*Professional
English speaking driver guide
*Kazuri
Beads Factory / Workshop and Pottery Centre, Karen Blixen and the Giraffe Centre
Tour departs daily
Kazuri
Beads Opening Hours:
Kazuri
beads shop opening hours are as follows:
*Sundays
0900 Hours to 1600 Hours
*Mondays
to Saturdays from 0830 Hours am to 1800 Hours
*Karen
Workshop which close Monday to Saturday at 6.00pm and Sundays at 5.00pm
Time
in Nairobi 
