bright robe

Birds pose on the forehead of this dramatic mask by Ghana's Abdul Aziz Mohamadu. Carved and painted by hand, it is embellished with applications of brass and aluminum repoussé, while bright beads adorn the cheeks. "The masks are seen in the area of Nandom in the Upper West Region of Ghana," the artisan explains. "The birds represent strange birds that come to destroy their crops, however the people make sacrifices to prevent this from happening. So I named the mask Godrya, a Hausa word which means 'Shower of Blessings.'"

Solemn and dignified, he speaks with authority. Abdul Aziz Mohamadu depicts a handsome personage as an authentic African mask. Bright brass inlay and aluminum repoussé adorn the face, while colorful seed beads cover the cheeks. The artisan names his original mask Asempa, an Akan word meaning "good word."

Keep organised in style with this handcrafted beaded neck lanyard keychain holder. Showy beads in bright white, red, yellow, orange, blue, green and black hues add customizable pizzazz, while the strap lets you wear it, wrap it or tuck it for easy access to essentials on the go. Ditch the handbag without losing keys, cards or cash by attaching them to this versatile accessory handcrafted by the artisans from Hands of Atitlan in Guatemala.

A beautiful embellished floral design shimmers brightly on this jewelry box from Arti Sharma of India. Black cotton fabric is used as a base for the gorgeous multi-colored bead work that is enhanced by a border of silver colored zari thread. Five sparkling glass stones adorn the centers of each beaded circle, adding to the glamorous appeal. The box opens to reveal a fully lined black cotton interior that is the perfect size for storing small pieces of jewelry.