Shanga: Recycled Glass Bead Jewellery, Curtains, and Loose Beads
Shanga is the Swahili word for bead. At Kitengela Glass, it also means everything in this collection: earrings, necklaces, bracelets, key rings, hand-strung bead curtains, and loose beads sold by the piece or by the bag.
Every bead starts as waste glass. Scrap window panes, broken bottles, glass offcuts from the studio — all melted down and reformed into coloured beads by hand. The result is chunky, irregular, and bright. No two pieces are identical because no two pieces come from the same source glass.
The beads are made in hundreds of colour and size combinations. Most jewellery pieces can be strung to order in custom colour combinations — contact info@kitengela.glass to discuss. Bead curtains are made-to-measure with a 6-8 week lead time.
This collection covers three areas: wearable jewellery, bead curtains for home and commercial spaces, and loose beads for craft and decoration. Browse below or use the links to go directly to the category you need.
Jewellery — Earrings, Necklaces, Bracelets, Key Rings
The recycled glass bead earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are sold individually and as gift sets. Earrings start at KSh 1,350. Gift sets range up to KSh 7,000. Pieces can be strung to order in specific colour combinations — contact the studio for custom requests.
Bead Curtains — Made to Measure
The glass bead curtains are large-scale handmade installations — strung from chunky recycled glass beads to fit doorways, windows, room dividers, or architectural spaces. Sizes shown in the sub-collection are examples of completed commissions. All new curtains are made to your dimensions. Lead time 6-8 weeks. Contact info@kitengela.glass with your measurements and colour preference to get a quote.
Loose Beads and Craft Supplies
The loose beads and craft supplies section stocks recycled glass beads by the piece, by the bag, and in mixed colour assortments. Used for jewellery-making, craft projects, and as decorative filler. Available in hundreds of colour and size variations.
More from Kitengela Glass
If you're buying jewellery as a gift, the Kitengela Glass gift sets collection includes pre-packaged combinations of glassware and beadwork. For outdoor use of the same glass beads in garden installations, see the
garden jewellery collection — strands of coloured glass balls and plates designed to hang in outdoor spaces.