Ecuadorian Hands' $40 Tagua Beads Giveaway
Tagua nuts come from ivory palm trees which are indigenous to Central and South America. The fresh nuts are edible and taste like coconut. But when they are hardened, the resulting material is easily shaped and dyed. The natural striations and markings on the beads is another attraction.
Indeed tagua nuts have been used by artists and carvers for over a century due to their useful properties. They were once popular as buttons just as mother of pearl shell beads were before plastic took over. They resemble real ivory so these are definitely preferable elephant friendly alternatives!
No wonder artisans like Carole of Kokobelli adore the look of these natural plant based beads for her jewelry designs. Shown above are some of her designs which really do take advantage of the colors and shapes of the tagua beads she bought from Ecuadorian Hands.
Carole sells her jewelry designs via her website and through various boutiques in France. She clearly loves working with tagua beads. So much so, she and her companion recently took the trouble and expense to investigate the source of the beads.
Here are some pictures taken during their extraordinary trip where they could see for themselves the where her favorite beads come from and meet the people who work at Ecuadorian Hands. Check their Flickr stream for more pictures.
Check here for more pictures on how tagua beads are made.
Giveaway
If you'd like to win $40 worth of tagua beads make your own natural jewelry, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Subscribers need to click on the post title to come to my actual blog. Scroll down and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank. Please leave an email at the very least so I can contact you easily if you win.
This is an international giveaway.
Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc . If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments.
It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, June 11, 2012. I will pick a winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
Before You Go:
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
Indeed tagua nuts have been used by artists and carvers for over a century due to their useful properties. They were once popular as buttons just as mother of pearl shell beads were before plastic took over. They resemble real ivory so these are definitely preferable elephant friendly alternatives!
No wonder artisans like Carole of Kokobelli adore the look of these natural plant based beads for her jewelry designs. Shown above are some of her designs which really do take advantage of the colors and shapes of the tagua beads she bought from Ecuadorian Hands.
Carole sells her jewelry designs via her website and through various boutiques in France. She clearly loves working with tagua beads. So much so, she and her companion recently took the trouble and expense to investigate the source of the beads.
 |
| Taking a photo of an ivory palm |
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| Looking at tagua nuts in their kernels |
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| Drying vat for tagua beads |
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| Cutting tagua beads |
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| Rafael Farias, an artisan polishing a tagua figurine |
Giveaway
If you'd like to win $40 worth of tagua beads make your own natural jewelry, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Subscribers need to click on the post title to come to my actual blog. Scroll down and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank. Please leave an email at the very least so I can contact you easily if you win.
This is an international giveaway.
Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc . If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments.
It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, June 11, 2012. I will pick a winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
Before You Go:
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
Love the colors and the weight of these beads. You can use some large beads and the weight is still minimal.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win a supply of them!
Those are beautiful and I would love to have some!! I am a blog follower, a Facebook friend, and I have posted a link to the giveaway on my facebook page. Happy Monday!!!!!
ReplyDeleteinteresting how tagua nuts are produced and made into decorative beads! Fine use of "other materials"...I would love to try these and make some of my own design.
ReplyDeleteLovely, interesting how they can use "other materials" in such a way...would love to try these myself.
ReplyDeleteAnna
info@meadowmuffin.ca
Something new to try! Thanks for showing us these.
ReplyDeleteI've never worked with tagua nuts before, but I do love the soft colors! Please enter me in the giveaway. Have an awesome week!
ReplyDeleteVery cool - I'd love to win!!
ReplyDeleteI love the natural quality of these beads........and the colors are wonderful. Great story of how they are sourced!
ReplyDeleteG
I Would love to create jewelry with these beads....I hope I win!!!
ReplyDeletevia email
Love the look and feel of these nuts. would make some fantastic jewelry, Facebook friend, too
ReplyDeleteThanks
Oh, I love these beads! Thanks for a terrific give away!
ReplyDeleteIt must be so cool to get to see where your products are made. These beads are so neat!
ReplyDeleteThanks for another great giveaway..I see that they have some new beads in their stock now
ReplyDeleteIt's been ages since I've been online and even longer since I lived in the city of Quito, Ecuador. So this post truly caught my eye. :)
ReplyDeleteI knew that Ecuador is the birthplace of Panama hats but did not realize they did such magnificent work with the Tagua nut. Maybe that's because, in the 5 years we lived there, I never got down to the coast of Ecuador - nor to the wonderful Galapagos Islands (Darwin's islands).
Thanks so much for the link to the "Ecuadorian Hands" site ... I always loved their hand embroidered cotton blouses - so cool in the summertime. If they carry my size I'll order a couple as south Florida is already hitting temps in the mid to upper 90's and our summer has only just begun. :)
I've never used tagua beads before...but I love the fact that they are so lightweight. Please enter me in your drawing.
ReplyDeleteI am a subscriber, like on FB, have tweeted, posted on FB and G+.
dbibb at gmail dot com
I could make fun summer styles with these products.
ReplyDeletemelodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
G oogle Reader subcriber.
ReplyDeletemelodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
GFC Follower.
ReplyDeletemelodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
Very interesting article! I love learning about beads (and other things) made from natural materials.
ReplyDeleteI am a fan on Facebook and Twitter, a blog follower AND I have shared this on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.
Beautiful beads!
(contact me at: sis5of11@yahoo.com)
I've never heard of these but they look fascinating, and they are renewable. Who doesn't love that?
ReplyDeleteI've never used tagua beads before...but I love the fact that they are so lightweight great for making fun summer styles. Please enter me in your drawing.
ReplyDeleteI am a subscriber, liked on FB, have tweeted, pinned on pinterest.
Blazingstars@yahoo.com
Thanks so much
What gorgeous beads! I have sold raw Taqua Nuts from my booth but, didn't realize how versatile they are! I am a blog follower, a Facebook friend, and I have posted a link to the giveaway on my facebook page. Have a great day everyone!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
lightedjewels@yahoo.com
These are fabulous...and sure enjoyed the article and pics..Going next to like you on FB. and also share on FB too !!
ReplyDeletedharrisny66@hotmail.com
I am a blog follower, a Facebook friend, and I have posted a link to the giveaway on my facebook page. Would be wonderful to have some of these to work with!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
lightedjewels@yahoo.com
I love these beads! I haven't been able to order any due to money issues, but a gift certificate would certainly take care of that excuse ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm also a follower :) I look forward to seeing your blog pop up in my email :D
Fantastic colours, thanks for the chance to win some.
ReplyDeleteCheers
victoriadotfarrellathotmaildotcom
Gorgeous beads and I love it when natural, renewable resources are used to make them!
ReplyDeleteI've never used tagua nut beads. I'd love to.
ReplyDeletewww.sew-and-so.com
I would consider it an honor to use these special beads in my work.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to play with these. :) I'm an email subscriber, a FB follower, and a Twitter follower from 2 accounts.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I love all beads, especially those that appear so close in color/texture to their natural state! Thanks, Pearl, for the lesson! Bonnie :)
ReplyDeleteHi everyone: I love these beads...I have never had the pleasure of using them and thank you for this awesome opportunity to try them. Please sign me up for this fabtabulously generous giveaway...and once again Thank you
ReplyDeleteI have looked at these before as the colours are fab and the sizes are great but haven't tried them out yet. Thanks for the chance to win some.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful beads and the fact that they are natural make them even more special. I would love to create some interesting pieces with these. If I don't win I will be sourcing suppliers here in Canada for them.
always looking for new things to try. https://www.facebook.com/PearlsAndDenim
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful!!! I learn something new every day at Beading Gems Journal and am looking forward to going to your site. Thank you for a very generous giveaway! Good luck everyone:)
ReplyDeletelauriejmckee@gmail.com
I love using organic materials for my design. Please enter me in the giveaway. I'm the blog follower.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Beads. Gorgeous colors. Would love to win, so many design ideas in my head.
ReplyDelete-Debbie
Forgot to mention that I am a follower and I just tweeted this giveaway @ItsAbracadebra
ReplyDelete-Debbie
I have always wanted to check these beads out. Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteI shared the contest on FB
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/sShaiha/posts/302597213166908
I follow your blog thru GFC
ReplyDeleteShaiha
I follow you on FB
ReplyDeleteI follow you on twitter
ReplyDelete@shaiha_
I have often seen tagua beads for sale but had no idea where they came from or how they were made. Interesting article. Now that I know what they are, maybe I can win some to design with.
ReplyDeletewhirlaway6016@yahoo.com
I'm am learning to carve bone & I knew there was a nut that could be used to carve that was like ivory. God is good to me. Here is your blog & here is the nut. I am happy. Could you tell me where I can buy this nut au naturale? I live in Australia & it seems they are a rare thing here if you can find them at all. I love blogs. ALWAYS come up with the answers. Thank you.
ReplyDelete