Trending Searches
Rachel Armah

Rachel Armah

"Growing up in Abiriw was enjoyable and exciting. It was very much a communal life, and every year in September we celebrated the Odwira festival to give thanks for a good harvest and year. Festivities included a grand durbar of chiefs amidst drumming and dancing. The highlight of the celebration for me as a young girl was the display of the beautiful traditional colorful attires that people wore and accessorized with gorgeous beaded necklaces and other adornments.

"I grew up with my father and sister, my mother passed away when I was a toddler, but I was fortunate to have an adopted mother who took care of all my needs as a young girl. She was such a blessing and she treated me like her biological daughter. My father was a teacher; we traveled with him all over Ghana to where he was posted so I have lived in almost every region of Ghana.

"Although we had some financial difficulties I was able to get a basic high school education in Cape Coast, followed by a Higher National Diploma in Secretarialship as well as a Diploma in Business Studies at the Takoradi Polytechnic. I also took a course at the Federation for Professional Business Women, an NGO, in Clothing and Textiles. From there I worked with the Ghana Education Service where I taught Secretarialship, as well as Clothing and Textile for ten years.

"I am a single mother of two daughters and due to the hardships I have faced as a single mother, I have done all I can to support my girls through petty trading and teaching. With my background in clothing and textiles, I started sewing for people to supplement my income and I realized the need for accessories to enhance the cloths I produced. With this new awareness coupled with the rich cultural experience I had growing up in different towns, I got into bead making.

"I learned the skill from a friend who graciously taught me at no cost. It was a very smooth and pleasant learning process and I was excited to put to use what I was taught. My friend was a good teacher and I a keen student, so in three months I was ready to start crafting pieces and selling them. However, due to financial constraints I wasnt start my own venture, I needed some capital to buy the materials and tools to start.

"God being so good I was able to put some money aside through my sewing to purchase what I needed and I have been designing and crafting beads since 2007. I am currently focused on my sewing and bead making, and now there is one more artisan and two apprentices who help me with both trades. I also call upon casual workers for when it gets really busy.

"I have a real passion for what I do and I work mostly with natural stones made into beads. I travel quite a distance to the eastern region of Ghana to get natural bauxite and soapstone. I am in contact with stone carvers there who shape and cut them to my specifications.

"The challenge I face on such trips is being away from my girls longer than anticipated due to changes that need to be made to stones ordered, or disappointments in producing goods on time by the stone carvers. Aside these few challenges faced, I am grateful to God I can provide for my daughters needs through this trade.

"My daughters always like to sit with me when threading the beads whenever they are out of school, and they are eager to learn, especially the eldest. She always comes up with very interesting arrangements and colors when I allow them to play with the beads. They love to make pieces for themselves and show them off to their friends!

West Africa Artisan Empowerment Hub

The traditional arts are a vibrant aspect of everyday life in West Africa. From richly intricate handwoven kente cloth fabrics, to intricately colorful beaded arts, ceremonial masks, and exquisite jewelry, to traditional throne-stools hand-carved for customers by the Ashanti king's actual chief carver, artisans proudly offer their region's finest handmade works of art.
Maker BadgeEmpowering Women
The Women's Empowerment badge is awarded to female artisans or artisan groups that are led by women.
Maker BadgeCaring for Children
This artist supports children under the age of 18.
Maker BadgeJob Creator
This artist positively impacts their community through job creation and provides jobs for 2 or more people.
Maker BadgeMoving On Up
This artist has dramatically improved their livelihood by working with NOVICA.
Maker BadgePreserving Traditions
This artist uses traditional techniques handed down through the generations and/or creates culturally significant items, helping keep these traditions alive.
Maker BadgeProfound Impact
Every purchase from this artist has a profound impact on their livelihood and income.
Maker BadgeMicrocredit Financing
Rachel Armah has received 3 microcredit loans with 0% interest from Kiva and Novica, the first for $100 and the most recent for $150. Proceeds were used to stock up on beads and stones for her jewelry.

29 items

Filters

    Rachel Armah

    October 2, 2017
    J Jan
    These earing are lovely. If you are into stones, as I am, you will enjoy these. One warning for people who don't like long earrings. As much as I like them they are a little out of my comfort zone.
    Reviewed item
    March 11, 2022
    J Jennifer
    Beautifully made with beautiful stones. Thank you.
    Reviewed item

    Blog Posts