Saturday 29 December 2012

Behind the scenes!




Well, what a great 2012 we had at Con-fused Arts, thanks to YOU but we are aiming for an even better 2013! In 2012, we decided to work with a new supplier called Kazuri and I wanted to start 2013 by telling you a bit more about this supplier/project, the special group of ladies that handcraft the luxury ceramic jewellery and the jewellery itself!


Founded by the late Lady Susan Wood,  Kazuri is still located where she first created employment for struggling single mothers in 1975, in her back garden. The workshop is in Karen, named after Karen Blixen of "Out of Africa" fame. Karen is a beautiful area just a few miles outside Nairobi. In 1988, Kazuri became a factory and expanded hugely employing 120 people. Currently, there are over 340 local women, mostly single mothers, employed at Kazuri, handcrafting our beautiful ceramic jewellery. The Kazuri workshop now has a clinic which provides free medical care for the employees.


Kazuri jewellery is aptly named as it means "small and beautiful" in Swahili. Every bead which makes up a necklace, bracelet or earrings is shaped by hand by one of the 340 local women employed by Kazuri. The beads are then kiln fired once, glazed and fired again before being strung.

If you have already bought a piece of Kazuri jewellery, you can be assured that it is completely unique, with many pieces taking on the quirks and trademarks of the people who shape the beads, paint them or string them, giving them soul as well as beauty. We love providing you with different ranges of Kazuri jewellery, different designs and different colours. We also enjoy picking new pieces to compliment the season. Simply visit our Facebook page or our website  to see what we have in stock and to get your own piece of Kenya!

Saturday 1 December 2012

How to put a smile on your face!

It is coming up to that time again, ordering the turkey, getting the Christmas tree bought or in our case down from the attic and deciding who is going to whose house on Christmas day! Unfortunately not everyone is so blessed and there are lonely folks amongst us and this is only magnified during the festive time.   So, why not carry out an ACT OF RANDOM KINDNESS to bring a smile to their face and hearts?? 

Here are 6 acts of random kindness that I wanted to share with you, they have been collected either from personal experience or heard from other folks;
1) If you are at the supermarket, why not leave the £1 in your trolley?
2) I read this one "A girl slept through her bus stop and ended up at the bus station at midnight with no more money. A couple paid her fare back to her final destination"
3) Why not cook a meal for someone -whilst my mum has been recovering from cancer, so many friends, family and neighbours have been cooking meals. Very useful seeing that the cooking has been left to my dad!
4) You could help to shovel the snow from your neighbours path especially if they are elderly!
5) Why not help out a co-worker when they have a big deadline?
6) You could help someone out for free, maybe babysitting or helping with garden or painting!

So what is stopping you from carrying out your very own act of random kindness? It might even make you smile!  Why not tell us if someone has helped with you something randomly or you have carried out an act of random kindness.

Whilst you are being kind, why not surprise someone with one of our brand new gift vouchers - just CLICK HERE . Another gorgeous gift bought without leaving the comfort and warmth of your own home.

Wishing you a very happy and peaceful festive season!

Love Pam x