Kazuri Factory – Ceramic Beads Jewelry & Pottery

Kazuri Beads is a renowned fair-trade social enterprise in Nairobi, Kenya, that specializes in handcrafted ceramic jewelry and pottery. Founded in 1975, the organization primarily employs hundreds of disadvantaged local women, especially single mothers, to help them earn a sustainable income and access healthcare.

Kazuri Factory – Ceramic Beads Jewelry & Pottery is located in Karen Green, Langata Road, Karen. Kazuri, which means “small and beautiful” in Swahili, began in 1975 as a tiny workshop experimenting with hand-crafted ceramic beads.

The factory is located 25 minutes’ drive from the City Centre of Nairobi in what used to be part of the Karen Blixen Estate (of the Academy Award-winning film “Out of Africa” fame). The factory’s mission is to provide sustainable jobs for local women in Nairobi and contribute to the fair trade market.

The factory is located near the Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Center, the Daphne Sheldrick Animal Orphanage, and Nairobi National Park.

Visitor Experience Kazuri Factory – Ceramic Beads, Jewelry & Pottery

Located in the leafy suburb of Karen, the Kazuri Beads Factory is a popular cultural stop for tourists. 
Factory Tours: Guided tours of the workshop are generally free of charge and allow visitors to witness the entire production cycle, from hand-molding raw clay from Mt. Kenya to painting, glazing, and kiln firing.
Bead Bar: According to the official website, visitors can design their own unique jewelry pieces at an on-site Bead Bar
Opening Hours: The Karen workshop is open Monday to Saturday (0830 Hours – 1800 Hours) and Sunday (0900 Hours – 1700 Hours). Note that on Sundays, visitors can still tour the facilities and shop, but the artisans are typically not working
Jewelry Collections: Recent lines include the Heritage Collection, which celebrates Kazuri’s 50th anniversary using recycled Batik bone and glass, and the Mara Moon X Kazuri Collection, featuring modern bohemian styles in earthy pastel tones.
Pottery: Beyond jewelry, Kazuri produces hand-painted pottery and home decor items, including “adorable clay animals.”

Where to Buy

Nairobi Retail Outlets: In addition to the Karen factory shop, official stores are located at the Village Market, The Junction Mall, Westgate Shopping Centre, and Capital Centre
Coastal Locations: Outlets are available at the Diani Shopping Centre and Bombolulu Workshops in Mombasa
Online: Authentic products can be purchased directly from the official Kazuri website, which offers international shipping to most countries

Kazuri Factory – Ceramic Beads Jewelry & Pottery produces brightly colored, handmade ceramic jewelry sold worldwide. Kazuri Beads supports literally hundreds of disadvantaged Kenyan women, by providing employment and healthcare services for them and their families.

Kazuri Beads is a popular destination for guests with just a few hours to see the sights of Nairobi. The main showroom and workshop are located near many attractions and tourist venues in the leafy Karen suburbs.

Some of these attractions include Karen Village, Karen Blixen Museum, Oloolua Nature Trail, Mamba Village Centre, Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary, The Waterfront Mall, Galleria Mall, Langata Link Shops, Utamaduni Craft Centre, The Giraffe Centre, David Sheldrick Elephant and Rhino Nursery, and Bomas of Kenya.

Kazuri means “small and beautiful” in Swahili, and this aptly describes every beautifully handmade ceramic bead, shaped by hand by the women who work at the Kazuri workshop. The beads are kiln-fired once, glazed, and then fired again before being strung.

Kazuri Beads Workshop Tours

A visit to the Kazuri Beads workshop and craft centre takes approximately one hour, and here you will see the various processes. A knowledgeable guide will show you around, where you will see the whole process, from the molding of raw clay through to the glazing, decorating, and threading of beads to create finished products.

The salesroom is attractively laid out and a beautiful place to visit.

The History of Kazuri Beads:

The company was founded in 1975 by the late Lady Susan Wood, who created employment opportunities for struggling single mothers in the local area. Kazuri is still located in its original setting in Karen, and the workshop employs over 30 local women; most are single mothers.

Care and welfare of Kazuri employees:

It’s good to know that each piece of jewelry sold from the Kazuri Beads store helps people who really need it. The Kazuri workshop in Karen is equipped with a clinic that provides free medical care to employees.

80% of the medical bills outside the Factory Clinic are also absorbed by Kazuri. In their mission statement, Kazuri says that “the greatest contribution we can make is to create employment, especially for the disadvantaged, and this remains our guiding philosophy. The result is reflected in the strength of the Kazuri Family and the beauty of our products.”

Kazuri Beads Outlets:

Kazuri has outlets across Nairobi and a global distribution network. They are a fair trade company, and you can buy their jewelry online. In addition to the main sales room and workshop in Karen, retail stores selling Kazuri beads in Nairobi are located at Westgate Shopping Centre, Viking House (by Westlands roundabout), The Junction Shopping Centre, and Capital Centre.

At the coast, Kazuri has an outlet at the Diani Shopping Centre on the South Coast of Mombasa. They also have an outlet at Bombululu Workshops (www.apdkbombolulu.org) at the North Coast of Mombasa. The profits from this outlet support their mission to assist people with physical disabilities in our society.

Kazuri also supports the Kawangware street children project by purchasing paper shopping bags made from recycled paper.

Kazuri Beads Factory and Pottery Centre

Kazuri Beads Shop’s opening hours are as follows:

* Sundays from 0900 Hours to 1600 Hours

* Mondays to Saturdays from 0830 Hours am to 1800 Hours

* Karen Workshop which closes Monday to Saturday at 6.00 pm and Sundays at 5.00 pm

Kazuri Beads Factory and Pottery Centre Day Tour

Notes:

* Pickup and drop off at your hotel in Nairobi
* Visit Kazuri Beads in Langata, Karen District, Nairobi, Kenya
* Professional English-speaking African Spice Safaris Driver Guide
* Kazuri Beads Factory/Workshop and Pottery Centre Tour of Nairobi departs daily and can be combined with a visit to Karen Blixen Museum, Utamaduni Crafts Centre, and the Giraffe Centre at an additional cost

Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com