History
Hilary Whittaker began collecting beads at village markets during visits to rural development agents across the Sahel while she worked and lived in Mali, west Africa from 1985-90. Inspired by the statuesque beauty of Bambara, Berber, Malinke, Songhai, Dogon, and Peuhl women and men bedecked in market day and festival finery, she began experimenting on jewelry designs of her own. This soon became a consuming hobby. then she started a bead coalition to help Malians market jewelry abroad, and she helped start a bead study club among members of the international community. Authentic antique and trading beads are disappearing from world markets, and it is increasingly difficult to identify fakes. Hilary's designs are becoming collectors' items and they are modestly priced due to avoidance of commercial middlemen. Each design is a unique creation: no two are exactly alike. Her multi-cultural Collector necklaces have become her trademark as are her traditional pieces reflecting many cultures.
Specialties
All of our jewelry is made of authentic antique component or by contemporary in-country artisans using traditional designs and methods. Most of our necklaces are museum worthy collectibles.