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Braided Leather Necklace in Blue from Ghana, 'Mpusia in Blue'

Product ID: U73601

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Braided Leather Necklace in Blue from Ghana, 'Mpusia in Blue'

4.5 (artist rating)

Delivery Estimate

This item is available for pre-order and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Learn More

Available in 2 to 8 weeks. Learn More

Details

In a rich shade of solid blue, strips of leather are used to carefully braid this necklace by hand. Ghanaian artisan Ila Suleyman creates the accessory, which features a wider section at the center that tapers the closer it gets to the button clasp. This necklace is named Mpusia, meaning "thank you" in northern Ghanaian.

Made in Ghana

  • Leather
  • Avoid contact with water
  • Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
  • Button clasp
  • Free Gift Wrap? Yes
  • Premium Gift Wrap? Yes
  • 25 grams
  • 0.88 oz
  • 48 cm L x 2 cm W
  • 19" L x 0.8" W
View in metric units View in US/English units

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Ila Suleyman

Meet the Artist

Artfully crafted by Ila Suleyman from West Africa.

 

Meet the Artist

Ila Suleyman

Ila Suleyman

4.5 (artist rating)

"My forefathers were predominantly millet and cattle farmers, and they would use the leather of the animals for accessories such as talismans, bangles and necklaces for personal use."

"Assalamu Alaikum. Peace be unto you! I'm Ila Suleyman, of Bawku in Ghana and my parents are Rayende and Nabiga... "Assalamu Alaikum. Peace be unto you! I'm Ila Suleyman, of Bawku in Ghana and my parents are Rayende and Nabiga Suleyman. I was born into a family of artists who have carved and crafted wood and leather products for several family generations. I have been told the crafts that we do date back to more than a century ago, but it was my great-grandfather who took on the craft and made a real venture out of it.

"My forefathers were predominantly millet and cattle farmers, and they would use the leather of the animals they reared for clothing and accessories such as talismans, bangles and necklaces for personal use. My great-grandfather saw this natural talent and skill as an opportunity to develop a successful venture which has become a family enterprise.

"Growing up, I was very fond of my grandfather and I spent a lot of time with him. He taught me a lot of things including how to prepare natural leather and create beautiful things of it at a very early age. Right out of senior high school, I had the option to pursue other activities but I was interested in walking in the shoes of my grandfather, father and other family members who ate and lived art. I had already mastered the craft by then, and I was intrigued by the deep thought and patience that went into crafting a piece.

"I joined my father at his workshop and helped him create new designs and craft leather accessories. I designed a more youthful and modern collection which was incorporated into the traditional styles that we were used to creating. These sold very well and, from then on, my father trusted me to work more independently.

"I have since introduced new materials in my collection by exploring the use of other natural materials such as wood and some recycled materials. These are designed and crafted by me with assistance from my childhood friend Deri, who has become my partner in the workshop, along with a staff of five.

"My designs are unique and traditional with a modern feel. I draw inspiration from my rich culture and from the natural world that surrounds me. I also research modern fashion trends for ideas in style and colors that are right for the market I craft for. Although I introduce modernity in my designs, they are finished as timeless pieces to be cherished for generations.

"My favorite thing about my art is the way people react to it. I've seen it cause joy, happiness, contentment and, most of all, I love the smiles it puts on the faces of those who favor my collections. This makes what I do for a living worthwhile.

"The major challenge I face in my craft business is the industrially manufactured copies of our authentic hand-crafted artistry that flood the market, and threaten local artisans like me. I rise above this by producing wonderful and more interesting handmade designs. I also work with other artisans who create handmade jewelry in order to highlight the positive impact it has in our lives when people support artisans.

"I love what I do and I don't see myself doing anything else but art. When am not designing or crafting, I like to be in a quiet and calm place like the beach. I also like to party occasionally with my friends. I am a friendly and outgoing person.

"I help the physically challenged in my community by training those who have an interest in arts. I also do what I can to support the less privileged by helping them complete their primary education. So far, I have assisted four people who have successfully completed their primary education and have moved on to technical and secondary schools.

"I hope that my life turns out so well that I may contribute to the development of my community and country. I also hope to showcase my work in international communities and create awareness of what Africa has to offer in terms of talent in art and craft. It is my dream that my designs will be known worldwide. I believe working with you will be a start to living my dreams and aspirations."

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We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.

Return instructions

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This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.

Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.

If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.

In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.

This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).

WOMEN S M L XL XXL
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
BUST 35 - 36 37 - 38 39 - 41 42 - 44 46 - 48
WAIST 27 - 28 29 - 30 31 - 33 34 - 36 38 - 40
HIPS 37 - 38 39 - 40 42 - 43 45 - 46 49 - 50
MEN S M L XL XXL
CHEST 36 - 38 39 - 41 42 - 44 46 - 48 50 - 52
WAIST 30 - 32 32 - 34 35 - 37 38 - 41 43 - 45
NECK 14 - 14.5 15 - 15.5 16 - 16.5 17 - 17.5 18 - 18.5
SLEEVE 32.5 33.5 34.5 35.5 36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE

Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.

BUST / CHEST

Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.

WAIST

Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.

LOW WAIST

Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.

HIPS

Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.

NECK

Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.

SLEEVE

Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.

INSEAM

Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.

 

Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.

For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.

For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.

See buckle/tie belt size standards below.

WOMEN S M L XL  
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
inches 26 - 30 28 - 32 31 - 35 34 - 38 38 - 42
cm 76 - 86 81.5 - 91.5 86.5 - 96.5 91.5 - 101.5 96.5 - 106.5

+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm

MEN S M L XL XXL
inches 30 - 34 32 - 36 35 - 39 39 - 43 43 - 47
cm 81.5 - 91.5 86.5 - 96.5 91.5 - 101.5 96.5 - 106.5 109 - 119

+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm

Sash tie length

Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.

Belt with buckle

Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.

Belt without buckle

Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.

Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!

DOWNLOAD

We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.

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