Many design elements from the Native American squash blossom necklaces have influenced my African squash blossom necklaces. The silver long petals of the Navajo necklace have been interpreted with vintage large Mail wedding beads made of colored glass. The stems of the flowers are copper wire wrapped with YKK zippers. Instead of silver and turquoise, my necklaces feature Ghana brass beads made from throwaway metals of big industrial companies and everyday items such as locks and padlocks. The intricate brass beads are made by the lost wax method which dates back to 9th Century Nigeria.
The bracelets are inspired by charm bracelets, but utilize African beads instead of silver or gold charms and echo the design elements of the squash blossom necklace. Small assorted blue colored Mail wedding beads. Denim rivets. Blue electrical resistors. New Ghana glass beads. Red Ghana vinyl. Kakamba flower beads aka Prosser beads.