Elizabeth Alorchie-Apetor

"I'm Elizabeth, from Accra, a respectful, God-fearing, patient person who easily makes friends. I come from a family where most of the women's business is threading traditional beads. My mum was no exception. I was attracted to this craft by the manner and passion with which she threaded beads. When I was nine years old, she took me gradually through the different threading stages. I could only string a strand together and put it around my neck. I enjoyed doing this so much that, that when I returned from school, I'd work with beads for at least two hours before my studies.<br><br>"When I grew up, I worked as a civil servant for twenty-one years. Then one day, when I was 43 years old, I decided to work on my own. I realized I was leaving home as early as 5:30 am and returning at 8 pm, denying my children and family of that special care and attention.<br><br>"At first I thought of working with African apparel, woodcraft, and baskets. I had everything prepared so that when I stopped working, I would have something I could depend on. When I finally left the job, I started displaying my goods on a table top at an art market in Accra. For three months, I sold not a <i>pesewa,</i> but I did not give up.<br><br>"On the fourth month my sales went up and I was happy with what I was doing. By the seventh month I acquired a space at the market to build a shop. But then one morning, when I was bringing with me the wood and roofing sheets to build my shop, I found that the government task force had scattered everything at the art market. I had to quickly pick up what was left of my merchandise.<br><br>"I was considering again what to do, when a family friend introduced me to the women's association she belonged to. On my first visit I was asked what I was into, and I quickly replied that I am a beaded jewelry designer. This response brought back the memories of the skills I had acquired and abandoned for years.<br><br>"By the time I got back home I told my husband that I had finally figured out what I wanted to do. He gave me an initial capital of GHC 30.00 (approximately 20 dollars) to start my beaded jewelry venture. I came up with beautifully designed beads which attracted many people, and their compliments encouraged me to work hard and craft more. I am inspired to take bead stringing even beyond the level my mum could achieve.<br><br><br><br>"In the earlier days I used mainly Czech beads but now glass beads are made locally and are available for purchase on the market. I also use natural materials such as wood, clay, coconut shell and stone, as well as recycled plastic and metals.<br><br>"I have trained four people, of which two are women that are physically challenged and now work for themselves. I presently have two trainees. During vacations, I also trained all my sons and daughters, as well as other dependents so they have something to do. My daughter and third son have shown a keen interest to take over from me sometime in the future. They help me occasionally when the need arises.<br><br>"I currently sell my beads to local shops and fairs, but my hopes and plans are to grow. My major challenge has been market outlets for my beads. Samuel Lovi, also a featured artist, introduced me to you.<br><br>"The lesson I have learned in life is that one must know what he or she likes and just stand firm and follow it with grace.<br><br>"I thank the Almighty God for the gift of designing and making jewelry with beads."