Beading Technology Level 2

Who it is for. People who have finished Beading Technology (Level 1), or who can show the same skills. National Proficiency II covers varied work done under limited supervision.

Bridge from Level 1: what you already know

Level 1 did not cover online selling or branding and packaging in depth. This manual covers them.

How the module works

Each unit has learning outcomes, performance criteria, the range and the evidence your assessor needs. You are judged Competent or Not Yet Competent. About 70% of the time is practical, following CTVET's Oil Palm programme split of about 30% school and 70% workplace.

Competency standard

Range. Three bead types. Evidence. Bead samples; firing log.

Painted and seed beads

• Krobo makers mix glass powder with ceramic dye into a glaze, paint it on with pins or needles, let it dry, then re-fire it at low heat in kaolin-coated moulds until the design fuses. Seed beads use moulds with tiny holes.
• Asante makers at Daabaa layer coloured powder, fire for 20–35 minutes at 600–800 °C, grind edges on a wet stone, and can paint and re-fire beads.

Kiln safety

• Look into the kiln only with infrared-rated lenses of at least shade 1.7. Sunglasses, UV goggles and didymium glasses do not block infrared, which can cause cataracts. Keep looks short.
• Use a proper respirator for dust, ventilate, wear heat-resistant gloves, do not eat or drink in the workshop, and wash and change before leaving.
• Use lead-free and cadmium-free colours. Keep powder damp and wet-clean.

Competency standard

Range. Four stitch samples and one loom band. Evidence. Samples; finished band.

Sizes and threads

Seed bead sizes are written like 11/0. The smaller the number, the bigger the bead. 11/0 is the most common, about 2 mm.

The main stitches

The main off-loom stitches are peyote, ladder, brick, square, right-angle weave and herringbone.

Loom work

The warp threads run lengthwise; the weft carries the beads, each bead sitting between two warp threads. Uniform beads such as Delicas are easiest.

Competency standard

Range. One piece in each technique. Evidence. Four finished pieces.

Wire

Most wire wrapping uses 20–26 gauge: 18–20 for clasps, 24 for dangles, 26 for tiny holes. Harden wire with a nylon or rawhide mallet or nylon pliers. Gauge numbers run backwards: higher number, thinner wire.

Kumihimo

An 8-strand braid on a foam disk; beads are strung first and dropped in one per move; finish with end caps and glue.

Macramé

Square knots, with a sliding knot to make the bracelet adjustable; seal tails with a little flame or glue.

Bead embroidery

Stitch onto a stiff foundation, surround a centre stone with peyote, backstitch beads two at a time, then trim and back with soft suede to hide threads.

A 2025 course near Koforidua taught women with disabilities single, double and multi-strand designs, weaving and coiling.

Competency standard

Range. One collection. Evidence. Mood board; collection plan; at least three made pieces.

Colour

Complementary colours sit opposite on the colour wheel; one is often used as an accent. Analogous schemes use 3–5 neighbouring colours with one leading. A Ghanaian designer says bead making needs an understanding of colour and how to combine colours. Makers are modernising Krobo beads into bags, shoes and hair pieces, while heavy weight and dull colours lose sales to imported beads.

Culture and meaning

• Common associations: black for power and protection, blue for loyalty, purple and gold for royalty and wealth. Beads mark the rank of chiefs.
• Chiefs and queen mothers wear beaded regalia showing authority and clan, and beads are used at weddings, festivals and funerals.
• Waist beads have names in many languages, and customised strands now sell at premium prices.
• A university study recommends Ghanaian beads for traditional marriage and names several local bead-making techniques.

Competency standard

Range. One bridal or corporate order (real or role-play). Evidence. Order form; finished order; packaging.

Quality checklist

Special orders

Take a written brief, make a sample, and take a 50% mobile money deposit before starting; this pays for materials and avoids unsold stock. GEPA urges artisans to invest in branding, quality and market development.

Competency standard

Range. Own pieces. Evidence. Ten product photos; online catalogue.

Photos

Use soft side light from a window, a white board behind, tap to focus, keep the phone steady, and use a white board to bounce light into shadows.

Online

• Etsy cannot be used by new sellers in countries without its payment system, and Ghana is not on that list. Do not pretend to live elsewhere.
• Jumia seller accounts are free and need ID and tax details.
• An agency estimates that marketplaces take 15–20% commission, and advises charging diaspora buyers real shipping costs and taking 50% deposits on pre-orders.
• WhatsApp Business, Instagram and TikTok cost nothing to start.

Tourists and festivals

• The Accra Arts Centre has bead stalls.
• Cedi Beads hosts visitors and has trained foreigners in bead making: a paid "make your own bead" workshop is a business idea.
• Festivals: Kloyosikplem in Somanya every November, the Ghana International Beads Festival at Odumase-Krobo and Ngmayem in Manya Krobo.
• In the Western Region: surf and eco-resorts at Busua and Dixcove, and crafts at Takoradi Market Circle. A cruise ship hub is planned.

Location settings that give good returns

Competency standard

Range. Own products. Evidence. Price list; export checklist; business plan.

Labour rate

The national daily minimum wage is GH¢21.77 from 1 January 2026. Use at least this as your labour floor: for an 8-hour day, about GH¢2.72 an hour.

Export

• Steps: register the business, get a tax number, register with GEPA as an exporter, be inspected, and get a certificate of origin from the Chamber of Commerce.
• Ghana's non-traditional exports reached US$3.83 billion in 2024, and GEPA says handicraft exports grew by about 500%.
• AGOA was renewed in February 2026 until 31 December 2026, but extra US tariffs on Ghana still apply. Check the current position before shipping to the US.
• Over 1,000 Ghanaian small businesses have been prepared for the African free trade area.

Protect your designs

Ghana's Industrial Designs Act covers handicraft. A design must be new; showing it yourself within 12 months before filing does not count against you. Protection lasts 5 years and can be renewed twice.

Apprentices

The National Apprenticeship Programme is free for ages 15–40, aims for at least 40% women and 5% persons with disabilities, and uses 30% classroom and 70% workplace learning under master craftspersons. Teach apprentices; do not use them only as labour.

Business ideas and ingenuity

Accessibility

Twenty women with disabilities were trained in jewellery near Koforidua with tools and start-up capital. More than 40 women with disabilities were trained in Bolgatanga and Bongo, and one graduate has trained 10 apprentices. An NGO in Awutu Senya trained young people and persons with disabilities. Helpful tools: big-eye needles, a bead spinner, a bright task lamp and magnifiers. Use wheelchair-height benches and tactile labels on bead boxes.

1. Which glasses protect your eyes at the kiln?
2. Is an 8/0 bead bigger or smaller than an 11/0?
3. Name four bead-weaving stitches.
4. Which thread suits sharp glass beads?
5. Which wire gauge suits clasps?
6. What is an analogous colour scheme?
7. Why ask before using royal bead designs?
8. Why take a 50% deposit?
9. Can a new Ghana-based seller open an Etsy shop?
10. How long does design protection last?

Best next reads: your Level 1 manual; GEPA craft export guides; the Hub's Money Skills manual.

What this module does not cover: building kilns, antique bead dealing, gold and silver smithing.

Every source used in this manual is listed, with links, in the Teacher Copy.