The pace at Shanga is slightly slower in January, which gives us time to experiment, play, prototype, train and make some new products especially in the glass department.
Sneak peek at some of the new designs at the workshop...
The flowers
Our flowers never lose their bloom. With a few more changes we will have Glass Flower Table Napkin Holders.
Small vases
The result of a training exercise, designed and produced by Alec.
Small Bottle
Looking for ways to use our not quite perfect items sometimes needs a little inspiration from our environment. A day at the beach, seeing barnacles and shell cluster on rocks was Ruth's for these beautiful bottles covered in our excess glass beads made by Balsey & Rajabu.
Items with a twist
Producing glass items with a twist is a collaborative effort starting with Ally & Halidi making metal moulds. Then the whole glass department being part of the blowing twisting, holding and final shaping processes. Can you see these sitting on your dining table?
Pots with animals
This January our fun little animals found their way onto our round pot lids as handles. Honey, jam, sugar possibilities are endless or just for show. Alec our master animal maker used the time making these to also extend Livingston, Erick and Hamis's training.
New year, new things and some of these are already my favourites.
A visit to Shanga is a must when passing through Arusha to meet the people and see all the beautiful products they make with love and dedication.
Shanga’s purpose-built, open workshop is located in the grounds of Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge and is a wonderful experience for visitors to meet the inspirational staff, to view and participate in the creative process behind Shanga products.
Shanga is a successful social enterprise which employs people with disabilities to create unique, high quality and handmade jewelry, glassware and homewares, incorporating recycled materials into many of our products. Shanga products are sold in Tanzania and around the world, with all profits being reinvested back into the development of new products; researching and implementing additional recycling methods into our activities.
