Big Village is the collaboration of two friends – Leisha Vandermey and Karen Berry and offers an extensive bead, jewellery and home décor line featuring the recycled glass beads of the Krobo tribe in Ghana, Africa. Owners and designers, Leisha Vandermey and Karen Berry, create one of a kind signature pieces as well as fun and affordable jewellery from the beads at their studio located in Barrie, ON. As well as creating jewellery pieces, Big Village offers recycled glass, Lost Wax, Kazuri and Kenyan cow bone beads in both retail and wholesale programs.
In 2008, Big Village began setting up fair-trade partnerships in Ghana, West Africa during mission work. This was seen as opportunity to connect the two cultures and to promote Ghana in a positive way that emphasizes the resourcefulness, ingenuity and beauty of the people. Big Village is committed to supporting small local businesses who value Fair Trade principals. The beads used in our designs are made in collaboration with Big Village owners, by the Krobo people from recycled glass. Old Krobo trading beads were once used as currency in Ghana but now these beautiful beads are being used in bold fashionable jewellery providing our partners and their employees with sustainable livelihoods. By purchasing our vibrant beads or jewellery, you are helping to support the emerging local economies within Ghana, sustaining the livelihoods of native artisans and doing your “bit” for the environment! With the increasing environmental problems facing our beautiful planet, we have found that more and more beaders, knitters, sewers and fibre artists are bringing their environmentally friendly tendencies to their hobby. Big Village’s beads are a great solution to this!
Big Village also partners with 5 Women’s Co-operatives in the rural villages surrounding Bolgatanga, Ghana, West Africa who weave baskets using elephant grass. The goal of the Cooperatives is to alleviate rural poverty and provide the women with a consistent income. The women in the Cooperatives are taught weaving skills, provided with shelter to weave in during the rainy season and are paid up front for their work. Knitters, sewers, beaders, and craft lovers alike love Big Village baskets to tote around supplies and projects.
Big Village is excited to announce that we will be launching a new product at Creativ Festival’s show in April. We will be partnering with a ceramic bead maker in South Africa and are excited about their story. We can’t wait to share these amazing beads with everyone.
Karen Berry, owner and designer was educated and trained in Therapeutic Recreation and has worked as a Recreation Manager in Long Term Care. Through her training, she understands and recognizes the need for leisure and hobbies as well as individuals’ needs to be a contributing member of society.
Leisha Vandermey, owner and designer, strongly believes in both her personal and professional life that education is the key to making life sustaining changes in the lives of individuals, families, groups, and communities. In 2002, Leisha graduated with a BScN, starting her journey into Nursing. Leisha takes advocacy skills and her passion for education to schools, businesses and community venues and speaks about Big Village’s mission.
Art, advocacy, resourcefulness and creativity have been a part of both Karen and Leisha’s lives for as long as they can remember. Growing up, they both explored many art forms and mediums but enjoy working with the recycled glass beads the most.