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10% of our proceeds are channeled back into the surrounding communities around Tongo, near Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region of Ghana.
In addition to working with artisans, we are artists ourselves. Many of the pieces of jewelry we sell are hand made, by Kirstin and Linda. The work is done both in Ghana and in the United States. In some cases, such as with the Kente inspired bracelets, we are able to train individuals in our African communities. This helps us with our inventory and the artisans with income and creative skills. All the wire jewelry is made with sterling silver or copper wire and West African beads, either made there or trade beads that have been brought over to Africa to be used as currency in the last 50 to 250 years.
Pictured in this section are products typically sold by Tro Tro Trading Company at our regional trunk sales and at art shows throughout the United States. For actual sales, click on the "internet sales" link. If you see something that you love but it is not for sale, contact us. Chances are, we will be able to work with you, especially with the hand made wire jewelry and Kente inspired bracelets.
We also sell beads for people who make their own jewelry.
Bolga
BasketsThese beautiful baskets come from Bolgatanga, a small city in the Upper East Region of Ghana. They are mostly crafted by women living in surrounding villages and are made of a particular grass known as Elephant Grass. The bright, vibrant colors are achieved by dying the material before it is woven into baskets using fabric dyes.
Leather
Bags from BolgaBesides the baskets and the shea butter, the people of Bolgatanga are known for their leather bags. Made of goat skin, these bags are rudimentary yet beautiful.
Shea
ButterTro-Tro Trading Company's shea butter is 100% natural. It is not refined, blended with other products or had fragrance added. It is an anti-oxidant with naturally occurring vitamins A & E. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory capabilities and tested to SPF 6 as a mild sunscreen. Doctors recommend it for the treatment of eczema and psoriasis. Once you try it, you will never want to use any other moisturizer.
Hand
Crafted Jewelry Using African Beads and WireSatisfying one creative outlet, we sell our own designs of hand-crafted jewelry using sterling silver or copper wire. We make earrings, necklaces, bracelets, key chains and necklace/earring sets. If you see a design here that you love, we are happy to do custom designs and to work with you in color and design.
Kente
Inspired BraceletsThe geometric patterns in Ghanaian Kente Cloth are beautiful. The South African bead weaving technique known as Ndebele is conducive to replicating these patterns. It was through this realization that the Kente Inspired Bracelets were born. Each bracelet has a significance and meaning. The clasps are made with Fulani Wedding beads, known in Francophone West Africa as "bon-bons". While most of these pieces are made by Kirstin and Linda, many were made by members of our Northern Ghana community as well.
West
African BeadsWe sell a wide variety of West African Beads, including Krobo recycled glass, bone, horn and clay beads, and antique trade beads. We also carry metal beads made by Tuareg people and Ashanti wire beads.
TextilesAfrica is well known for textiles, hand woven and otherwise. We here at Tro Tro Trading Company are enamored with all of it, and carry Ewe and Ashanti Kente, hand woven broadloom cloth from Burkina Faso, Handmade Tie and Dye, Batik, and bright pieces of Wax Print typically found in African marketplaces.
