Vintage Authentic British West African Coin with a center hole. Used throughout West Africa from British Cameroons to the British Gold Coast. Well worn and patinated coins dating from the 30's and up. Used as currency in the colonial period. Left with the old patina. Fabulous for pendants and/or charms in jewelry making, collage, textile and artful embellishment.
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Large and small Brass Nugget beads … these make gorgeous accent beads.. one of a kind find! For generations a spectacular range of brass beads and pendants have been produced across Africa including small anvil-shaped nugget charms known as “Igbo bugs” popular among the Fulani. The tradition of metalworking in Africa is very much alive. And these nugget “Igbo bugs” type beads were produced for Funky Frog by the Metal Smiths in Kumasi, Ghana.” There are two sizes of nugget beads to choose from. -
A strand of 60 silver coin metal Mali squashed bicone beads strung on string which measures approx. 26".The beads are about 16 mm. There are two strands to choose from, one strand is priced less as there are several damaged beads. The mali Silver Beads do have defects throughout in all strands as they are handmade. Please note that these beads are made by hand out of recycled metal and will vary in shape and size within the strand. The string you will receive will be similar to the one you see in the photo but might have some variations. These beads were found by Hidir, Trader at the Koforidua Market in Ghana for Funky Frog. He says these silver beads are getting harder to find. Doing some research a prevalent message is that in recent years, these beads are becoming more difficult to find as the human rights situation in Mali has significantly deteriorated, as attacks against civilians by Islamist armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and large-scale abusive counter terrorism operations by Malian armed forces and associated foreign fighters surged. The violence exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, with 8.8 million people requiring assistance and over 575,000 forced from their homes, including 375,000 internally displaced people and 205,000 refugees in neighboring countries as of August 2023. This forces many of the traditional artisans to leave the villages in pursuit of new opportunities. It makes these beads quite precious. -
A strand of 50 silver coin metal Mali squashed bicone beads strung on string which measures approx. 30".The beads are about 19 mm. Please note that these beads are made by hand out of recycled metal and will vary in shape and size within the strand. The string you will receive will be similar to the one you see in the photo but might have some variations. These beads were found by Hidir, Trader at the Koforidua Market in Ghana for Funky Frog. He says these silver beads are getting harder to find. Doing some research a prevalent message is that in recent years, these beads are becoming more difficult to find as the human rights situation in Mali has significantly deteriorated, as attacks against civilians by Islamist armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and large-scale abusive counter terrorism operations by Malian armed forces and associated foreign fighters surged. The violence exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, with 8.8 million people requiring assistance and over 575,000 forced from their homes, including 375,000 internally displaced people and 205,000 refugees in neighboring countries as of August 2023. This forces many of the traditional artisans to leave the villages in pursuit of new opportunities. It makes these beads quite precious. -
A strand of 25 silver coin metal Mali squashed bicone beads strung on string which measures approx. 24".The beads are about 12x25 mm. Please note that these beads are made by hand out of recycled metal and will vary in shape and size within the strand. The string you will receive will be similar to the one you see in the photo but might have some variations. These beads were found by Hidir, Trader at the Koforidua Market in Ghana for Funky Frog. He says these silver beads are getting harder to find. Doing some research a prevalent message is that in recent years, these beads are becoming more difficult to find as the human rights situation in Mali has significantly deteriorated, as attacks against civilians by Islamist armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and large-scale abusive counter terrorism operations by Malian armed forces and associated foreign fighters surged. The violence exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, with 8.8 million people requiring assistance and over 575,000 forced from their homes, including 375,000 internally displaced people and 205,000 refugees in neighboring countries as of August 2023. This forces many of the traditional artisans to leave the villages in pursuit of new opportunities. It makes these beads quite precious. -
A strand of 110 silver coin metal Mali squashed bicone beads strung on string which measures approx. 32". About 10 beads are approx. 16 mm and the rest between 10-12 mm. Please note that these beads are made by hand out of recycled metal and will vary in shape and size within the strand. The string you will receive will be similar to the one you see in the photo but might have some variations. These beads were found by Hidir, Trader at the Koforidua Market in Ghana for Funky Frog. He says these silver beads are getting harder to find. Doing some research a prevalent message is that in recent years, these beads are becoming more difficult to find as the human rights situation in Mali has significantly deteriorated, as attacks against civilians by Islamist armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and large-scale abusive counter terrorism operations by Malian armed forces and associated foreign fighters surged. The violence exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, with 8.8 million people requiring assistance and over 575,000 forced from their homes, including 375,000 internally displaced people and 205,000 refugees in neighboring countries as of August 2023. This forces many of the traditional artisans to leave the villages in pursuit of new opportunities. It makes these beads quite precious. -
A strand of 100 silver coin metal Mali squashed bicone beads strung on string which measures approx. 30". The beads are approx. 10-12 mm. Please note that these beads are made by hand out of recycled metal and will vary in shape and size within the strand. The string you will receive will be similar to the one you see in the photo but might have some variations. These beads were found by Hidir, Trader at the Koforidua Market in Ghana for Funky Frog. He says these silver beads are getting harder to find. Doing some research a prevalent message is that in recent years, these beads are becoming more difficult to find as the human rights situation in Mali has significantly deteriorated, as attacks against civilians by Islamist armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and large-scale abusive counter terrorism operations by Malian armed forces and associated foreign fighters surged. The violence exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, with 8.8 million people requiring assistance and over 575,000 forced from their homes, including 375,000 internally displaced people and 205,000 refugees in neighboring countries as of August 2023. This forces many of the traditional artisans to leave the villages in pursuit of new opportunities. It makes these beads quite precious. -
A strand of 100 silver coin metal Mali squashed bicone beads strung on string which measures approx. 33". The beads are approx. 12 mm. Please note that these beads are made by hand out of recycled metal and will vary in shape and size within the strand. The string you will receive will be similar to the one you see in the photo but might have some variations. These beads were found by Hidir, Trader at the Koforidua Market in Ghana for Funky Frog. He says these silver beads are getting harder to find. Doing some research a prevalent message is that in recent years, these beads are becoming more difficult to find as the human rights situation in Mali has significantly deteriorated, as attacks against civilians by Islamist armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and large-scale abusive counter terrorism operations by Malian armed forces and associated foreign fighters surged. The violence exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, with 8.8 million people requiring assistance and over 575,000 forced from their homes, including 375,000 internally displaced people and 205,000 refugees in neighboring countries as of August 2023. This forces many of the traditional artisans to leave the villages in pursuit of new opportunities. It makes these beads quite precious. -
A strand of 100 silver coin metal Mali squashed bicone beads strung on string which measures approx. 36". The beads are approx. 12-14 mm. Please note that these beads are made by hand out of recycled metal and will vary in shape and size within the strand. The string you will receive will be similar to the one you see in the photo but might have some variations. These beads were found by Hidir, Trader at the Koforidua Market in Ghana for Funky Frog. He says these silver beads are getting harder to find. Doing some research a prevalent message is that in recent years, these beads are becoming more difficult to find as the human rights situation in Mali has significantly deteriorated, as attacks against civilians by Islamist armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and large-scale abusive counter terrorism operations by Malian armed forces and associated foreign fighters surged. The violence exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, with 8.8 million people requiring assistance and over 575,000 forced from their homes, including 375,000 internally displaced people and 205,000 refugees in neighboring countries as of August 2023. This forces many of the traditional artisans to leave the villages in pursuit of new opportunities. It makes these beads quite precious. -
During a Bead Hunt Funky Frog made a big order from the Kokofrom Cooperative outside Kumasi. These bells were made especially for Funky Frog . The process these metal smiths are using is the same as their ancestors... back then it was gold now it is any metal they can get their hands on!! If you would like to see the intricate process check out the blog here ... These brass bells are about 18mm. The bells make a lovely jingle. There are now4 sizes of these bells, small, medium, large and xtra large. These are the medium sized. $4/bead -
Beautiful yellow Vintage Glass Seed Beads strung on raffia about 36" long. The beads are 7 mm. Funky Frog found these in the beads market in Ghana. -
Beautiful white Vintage Glass Seed Beads strung on raffia about 36" long. The beads are 6 mm. Funky Frog found these in the beads market in Ghana. -
Beautiful Yellow Vintage Glass Beads strung on raffia about 38" long. The beads are squashed bicone about 5x7 mm. Funky Frog found these in the beads market in Ghana. -
Beautiful black Vintage Glass Beads strung on raffia about 38" long. The beads are squashed bicone about 5x7 mm. Funky Frog found these in the beads market in Ghana. -
Out of stock
About 50 gorgeous black Polka Dot blue glass Vintage Beads around 12x15 mm strung on string 30" long. Funky Frog found these in a favourite Trader's stall in Ghana. They are vintage beads so will show their age with small imperfections which only adds to their beauty. -
About 50 gorgeous black Polka Dot pink glass Vintage Beads around 12x15 mm strung on string 30" long. Funky Frog found these in a favourite Trader's stall in Ghana. They are vintage beads so will show their age with small imperfections which only adds to their beauty. -
About 71 gorgeous turquoise blue glass Beads around 11 mm strung on string 25" long. Funky Frog found these in a favourite Trader's stall at Koforidua Market, Ghana. -
A strand of 50 silver coin metal Mali squashed bicone beads strung on string which measures approx. 26". The beads are approx. 14-16 mm by 10-12 mm. Please note that these beads are made by hand out of recycled metal and will vary in shape and size within the strand. The string you will receive will be similar to the one you see in the photo but might have some variations. These beads were found for Funky Frog by a Trader in the Kejetia Market in Kumasi, Ghana. These beads are becoming hard to find as Mali is struggling at this time. -
Tuareg Pendants in the shape of hearts, disks and trees made of etched metal in silver and brass. A 1 mm cord can be used to make the pendant into a simple necklace .... Why not give your Valentine your heart? ... metaphorically of course!! There are also disks or shields (in case you need to defend your heart!) or trees (which stand for steadfast love for those of you who have been Valentines for awhile!) These delicate pendants will add to any project! -
There are 4 strands of Kakamba Prosser for you to choose from. These are great spacer beads. Prosser beads are by extension any beads made by the 'Prosser' technique, invented by the Prosser brothers in 1840 in England for the purpose of making buttons. The process consists of molding a cold paste under great pressure and then firing it. Prosser Beads were distinct from other European trade beads in that they were produced in a great variety of colors, and were also translucent. They were received particularly well in the town of Kakamba in the Republic of the Congo – hence the name Kakamba Prosser Beads. -
A strand of Kakamba Prosser Beads about 24" long. There are 4 strands for you to choose from. These are great spacer beads. Prosser beads are by extension any beads made by the 'Prosser' technique, invented by the Prosser brothers in 1840 in England for the purpose of making buttons. The process consists of molding a cold paste under great pressure and then firing it. Prosser Beads were distinct from other European trade beads in that they were produced in a great variety of colors, and were also translucent. They were received particularly well in the town of Kakamba in the Republic of the Congo – hence the name Kakamba Prosser Beads. -
A strand of Kakamba Prosser Beads about 24" long. There are 5 strands for you to choose from. These are great spacer beads. Prosser beads are by extension any beads made by the 'Prosser' technique, invented by the Prosser brothers in 1840 in England for the purpose of making buttons. The process consists of molding a cold paste under great pressure and then firing it. Prosser Beads were distinct from other European trade beads in that they were produced in a great variety of colors, and were also translucent. They were received particularly well in the town of Kakamba in the Republic of the Congo – hence the name Kakamba Prosser Beads. -
A strand of Kakamba Prosser Beads about 24" long. There are 4 strands for you to choose from. These are great spacer beads. Prosser beads are by extension any beads made by the 'Prosser' technique, invented by the Prosser brothers in 1840 in England for the purpose of making buttons. The process consists of molding a cold paste under great pressure and then firing it. Prosser Beads were distinct from other European trade beads in that they were produced in a great variety of colors, and were also translucent. They were received particularly well in the town of Kakamba in the Republic of the Congo – hence the name Kakamba Prosser Beads. -
Vintage Black with Millefiori insets Tubular Beads about 10 x 25 mm. These beads were a real find at the Koforidua Beads Market in Ghana! Several clients have shopped exclusively for black and white beads hence this ‘collection’ was born. There is a whole drawer full of Black and White Goodness now on line! $1.50/bead