While our beads will still be available, we are temporarily suspending online sales of our jewelry while Mel is in Africa. But she'll be coming back in mid-October with lots and lots of new products! Please visit us then!
All of our products are made using the beautiful recycled-glass beads for which the Krobo district of Ghana is famous. All profits from sales go directly back into the project coffers so that we can continue to pay our workers a dependable living wage and purchase supplies with which they can keep creating their fresh, original designs.
If you opt to buy a product with copper findings or ornaments, you will be making an important contribution to the sustainability of the Soul of Somanya project, since we will be using mostly recycled copper electrical wire that is available locally. Keep in mind that copper oxidizes to a rich brown if it is not polished on a regular basis. It also reacts with some people's skin, particularly where they perspire (i.e. the back of the neck). When this happens, the metal can leave a dark mark, which washes off easily. Many people believe that the reaction is an indication of a PH imbalance, and that wearing copper helps to correct that imbalance. Many more swear that wearing copper is good for arthritis. In any case, we do offer our products in sterling silver and 14-karat gold fill for those who prefer those metals.
Particular bead designs are not always available in Kroboland on a given day, or even in a given month. Consequently, there may be variations in the beads used in our products. We promise to come as close as possible in both color and spirit to the originals that are pictured on our shopping pages. Should the difference be substantial in any given case, we will contact you to see how you would like us to proceed.
We prefer to list only those items actually made by African hands. However, due to the immense challenges involved in shipping goods from Ghana, we occasionally have volunteers on this side of the ocean help out in that regard so that you will not have to wait six-to-eight weeks for your order to arrive. Melody and Arkuh Bernard also produce some of the designs, particularly in cases where they are helping to develop a prototype. Either way, all proceeds go back into the project...every single penny.
Note: At some point very soon, Melody will have to start drawing a salary, since she is fast reaching the end of her personal resources. For now, however, though Soul of Somanya's Board of Directors recently voted her a salary, she is deferring it in favor of keeping that money in the coffers for project uses. (Can you tell she's a little bit obsessed? But it's not a hardship. She's living out her dreams!) In the interests of doing business with complete transparency, we will keep you posted on this issue as things change.
Particular bead designs are not always available in Kroboland on a given day, or even in a given month. Consequently, there may be variations in the 
