Red Egg prayer beads are made in collaboration with Kazuri Beads in Nairobi, Kenya. The Kazuri workshop employs over 340 women, mostly single mothers. When we visited them, the Kazuri women worked side-by-side with us to design these prayer beads. We hope you will feel as connected with these women when you wear and pray with these beads as we did when stringing them. The talismans are handmade by Red Egg Gallery. By purchasing these prayer beads, you are contributing to the pride of Kazuri workers and to the welfare of their families. May we pray for all those who are suffering in body, mind, and spirit. Asante Sana – thank you!

Red Egg jewelry is inspired by the idea of continuing the connections with spiritual and cultural traditions. Ehtiopian coptic crosses are featured in our work. Since the 4th century Christian faith has played an integral role in the lives of the people of Ethiopia. It is customary to give coptic cross pendants at baptism and these crosses are worn as a symbol of faith, reflecting the richness of the hearts of people in the Ethiopian Church. Red Egg also uses Tuareg crosses made by the Koumama family from Agadez, Niger. Their high quality sterling silver jewelry is created using traditional Tuareg methods, hand cast by lost wax methods using the same hand tools used for centuries. Their "cross"designs are associated with different nomadic tribes in the Saharan Desert. They refer to the pendants as 'teneghelt' having to do with the way they are made by pouring the melted silver in to a was mold. Other crosses and amulets are used in our jewelry including Mexican Yalalag crosses, blessed amulets from Thailand, Byzantine crosses and other pendants created with a sacred intention.

Joseph’s work is an homage to the central role of women as culture-bearers in both traditional and fragmenting communities. His work has been exhibited in America, Denmark, Germany, England, Finland, Japan, Korea, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya—but this will be his first time showing on the West Coast.

Elaine was raised in a family of Hornby Island pioneers who are devoutly Catholic, and her work emerges out of this colorful family history of early settlers, farmers, church and boat builders. Art allows Elaine to explore her connection to place and the Culture of Catholicism that surrounds her. Her desire to engage in a struggle for discovery, beyond the strictures of religion and family, has led Elaine to create satirical pieces full of wonder and whimsy. Her art is a reflection of nature's presence around her and Elaine's pieces wonderfully express her own particular humour and joie de vivre.