Fresh Finds

Bead-dazzled

Your Fresh Finds correspondent has never considered herself much of an art expert, but I have always admired the beautiful simplicity of folk art, especially when there's a story behind it.

Monkeybiz was started in 1999 as a way to create jobs for unemployed women in Cape Town, South Africa, while at the same time reviving the indigenous art of South African beadwork. The company started with a group of four beaders, trained by one of the founders' mothers, and has since grown to 450, all of whom work from their homes (the most eco-friendly kind of commute). Many are the sole breadwinners for their families, such is the demand for their unique creations.

The founders didn't stop at economic development, either. Monkeybiz has established an HIV Wellness Clinic where they not only provide health care and counseling services for women with HIV/AIDS but also training for would-be beaders.

Monkeybiz artwork has become such a huge success that it's attracted the attention of Sotheby's in London, the San Francisco Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York and countless other museums worldwide, as well as the eye of fashionista Donna Karan, who sells Monkeybiz pieces in her stores. And they can be yours for a song. Tiny animals and angels (good as ornaments) sell for approximately $12, while the largest items, including animals (pictured above), dolls and pictures, sell for an astonishingly low $60. They also make little knickknacks like coasters and photo clips for about $12. (All prices exclude shipping and import tariffs.) Each piece is unique, so the images online are only representations of what you'll receive.

If the prices aren't enough to grab your attention, the artists use recycled fabric from clothing factories to stuff the pieces, and they've even started using recycled rubber for kid-friendly Zolo dolls (about $20).

There's still time to order online in time for the holidays, if you splurge on two- to four-day shipping. For more, see www.monkeybiz.co.za.

© The Green Guide, 2008

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