Today is the second half of my story about the African village and the Nigerians in their ceremonial outfits. I went into the gift shop to look around and saw these sweet little wooden angels that turn around when you put a candle by them. I didn't buy them, but here's what I did buy. This basket that was made in Africa. I took a picture of it beside my chair to show you how huge it is. I love the fall colors. The baskets made there at the Culture Museum were over quadruple the price of the ones made in Africa, I was shocked at the price difference. This basket was so inexpensive that I couldn't believe my eyes!! They also had these bracelets in so many pretty colors, barely $5.00 each. I got these two. They are made in Africa, as well. But see what is special about them? Each bead is a piece of paper that is tightly rolled up, then laquered. Many Nigerians were shopping. I wonder if they were spending big bucks to buy things made in Virginia, while we were paying almost nothing for their African things? I wonder how that made them feel? You might say that these are the perfect gifts to remember our special day, and you know where every perfect gift comes from, don't you?
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of the truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." James 1:17,18
29 comments:
Very nice gifts; and we do like to have tangible memories of places we've visited, don't we? I like baskets, I have quite a few of them in different sizes and shapes around my home.
Oh I'm sure that's the case. The wooden angels are beautiful..the detail and colors are wild- such handy work! Amazing paper beads- and I love that verse! The costume photos are splendid -really enjoyed your posts! What a nice way to spend the day, and it looked so sunny!
Very nice.. i like the big basket too.. can be used as a decoration in the living hall.. :)
What unique and pretty pieces you purchased. Thanks for sharing the pictures of these amazing crafts.
I really like that basket and it is huge, what a wonderful purchase. The bracelets are beautiful, the design and colors are amazing.
Lovely treasure to remember your day. I surely hope that in Nigeria they are purchasing U.S. goods but NOT at inflated prices. That would be good for them AND good for us.
Good morning Ginny,
Beautiful items. This looks like a great place to shop for holiday gifts!
Jane
the angels are lovely. the beads are mind blowing that they are made of paper. what a deal you found and all those beautiful things to wander through. a trip to Africa without leaving home, what could be more fun? so what are you putting in the basket? any plans for it? or will the little ones sit in it? looks big enough to hold them easily.
Such treasures! A lot of time went into the making of that basket and those bracelets--the sweet angels too. I'm sure you'll get a lot of use out of the basket. I use them as "work horses" around the house and love looking at the different textures. Those bracelets are beautiful.
Best,
Bonnie
we used to make those paper beads. They are very easy to make, and looks very beautiful like yours.
Our church is also getting products made in India and Thailand to raise funds.
I don't ski these days, we go for the kids. We then go for walks. BRRR!
They are lovely gifts and your basket is a treasure. The trinket in your first photo reminds me of the Swedish angel chimes we brought out at Christmas when I was a child. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary
You quoted one of my favorite verses today. "Every GOOD gift and ever PERFECT gift comes down from God." I've bought lots of gifts while living in Africa and experienced what my African brothers used to call "skin pain". That means I get "burnt" quickly and easily because of the color of my skin! They meant that because I was a white man the trader knew he could get more money from me! ☻
gorgeous basket, and I love the fact that the beads are made from recycled paper.
What a beautiful chair.
Just love the intricate woodwork on the angels - a beautiful thing to display at Christmas! You made a great purchase - that basket is quite the showpiece and looks lovely! Pretty bracelets too, and to think they are made of paper. A lot of work has gone into the making of these things! Enjoy!
The basket is wonderful...such an intricate pattern. And I like your new bracelets, too. The beads are beautifully made.
I love that basket!!
These are all so gorgeous! I have a collection of souvenirs from different places I've been and I love to take them out now and again, and remember the days, the places, sights and sounds of far away. :o)
Oh what a fabuous basket.... I 'heart' that one SO much.... I could think of all kinds of 'stuff' to put in my basket.... Darn--wish I lived closer!!!!!
Although I don't wear jewelry much anymore, I love the bracelets also...
Strange how I have changed since retiring... I used to wear skirts/dresses, jewelry, make-up, etc... when I worked fulltime... Don't do much of that at all anymore...
Great post, Ginny.
Hugs,
Betsy
I like all of your purchases at the gift shop. The basket is very pretty. I'm still trying to figure out how they made those paper beads by hand. Very unique and very fascinating.
Those are such beautiful items! I especially like the wooden angels.
You always choose the right verse to go with your posts. That's so neat.
Glad you had a nice day.:)
Amazing work! The talent it takes to make such items! So nice!
Beautiful and unique gifts, Ginny! I love all of them - but the basket is my favorite; it'll be so useful as well as pretty! Bracelets like those you bought are treasures!
Those are nice. There's a lot of work in those baskets.
I really like your Bible verse.
They are all wonderful gifts, Ginny. The basket will be so useful! I wonder why it was priced so low? Maybe it was on clearance? The beads are also fascinating. So much work went into making them out of recycled paper.
It is so true that every day is a precious gift from God!
I am so glad that I visited your blog and get in to touch with so many things....will be in touch with you....
Every object is so beautiful! thanks for sharing your pretty purchases.
love all of the items. esp. partial to angels. thanks for sharing rose
That basket is just beautiful.
those are wonderful gift items for Christmas presents. and those bracelets are gorgeous and to think that they didn't cost so much... it was indeed a steal.
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