Earning a living from bead-making

Dressing with beads is not only a traditional costume. Beads are worn with both native and corporate attires by both men and women. Beading is growing fast because apart from making one look elegant, it also symbolizes royalty. Making of beads has, therefore, become a means of livelihood for those who are privileged to venture […]

Dressing with beads is not only a traditional costume. Beads are worn with both native and corporate attires by both men and women. Beading is growing fast because apart from making one look elegant, it also symbolizes royalty. Making of beads has, therefore, become a means of livelihood for those who are privileged to venture into it.

Becoming a bead-maker

Speaking with Mrs Irene Ekanem of Cane Clothing, Sector F corner shop, FHA Lugbe Abuja, Sunday Trust gathered that before becoming an expert in the business one has to be fully interested and acquire accessories which are vital for bead-making.

Ekanem said, “One has to be an apprentice, first. In bead making, one learns by doing—this is called matting and this enables one to learn fast. That is why creativity is the basic thing needed.”

She explained further that, “There are different types of beads: we have the glass bead which is very expensive because making it is time consuming; coral bead is also the same with glass, but mostly used by traditional title holders; cat eyes bead; plastic bead; sand bead; pearl bead are expensive and, mostly, used by dignitaries; and we have stone bead.”

She said bead can be made in one’s bedroom and sold anywhere, adding that as a starter, one can do without a shop or machines. With ordinary hands, one can do much, but a shop is important because of publicity and need for customers.”

Ekanem said a lot of concentration is needed because bead-making is time consuming. According to her, one must be creative because it involves the use of colour. This is to satisfy diverse consumers which is key to profit making.

She explained, “So many items are made with beads like key holders, bangles, bags, flower verses, earrings, necklaces, baskets, table mats, purses, bracelet crowns, rings, teddy bears, hair packers, plates and it is also used for traditional attires like the Edo attire. We use them to decorate shoes and so on. It is about being creative. A lot can be done with beads!”

Accessories for bead making

One must get the necessary accessories like the stopper for picking the beads, hook for necklace and earring, pipe for holding the beads, balls for decoration, car log used to end a decoration and fishing which comes in various sizes also used for connecting beads and a display stand for display.

While Sunday Trust reporter looked round the Ekanem’s shop, beautiful bead necklaces were displayed on the stand with price tags on them ranging from N4,500 for pearl, same price for Curtis bead, N5,000 for cat eyes and N6,000 for forest. All looking colourful and unique. These can easily match with appropriate outfit.

Ekanem said, “The business is good because beads do not tarnish. They are everlasting. When dirty, they can be washed with detergent. The business attracts high profit during this season; during weddings, brides patronize us.”

Living on beads business

A member of the National, Miss Joy Akpabiode serving in the Federal Ministry of Education, Zone 4 Abuja, said, “I started making beads while in school and now that I am in a larger society, I feel I can earn more with it even after my service year. I know I have something I can lean on.”

Akpabiode said, “It is the handiwork that God has given me. All that is needed is time, concentration and creativity which was what I had in mind when I started but now I make different items for sale.

“During our weekly Community Development Service meetings, I do take my items there for advert and since we are youths who know what is in vogue, I get good patronage. I do not have a shop. It takes determination to succeed.

“The business is good because when I create an item, either a necklace or a bangle, people like it and I am encouraged to do more. Also, when people see as these things are worn, many get interested and they are directed to me. This is why customer satisfaction is very important—as ones products are good, great awareness is created.”

Body ache in bead making

According to Akpabiode, “Beads making is very interesting, because I combine colours and beads to make various items. But the challenge I face is that it is time consuming. Health wise, one feels body pains after making these items.”

From N15,000 to N20,000, one can start beads making business.