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Episode 37 - Ebenezer Akakpo of Maine talks Jewelry, Ghana & Fate
Manage episode 349233632 series 3336581
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Ebenezer Akakpo lives in Maine, where he operates two businesses. The first is Akakpo & Co., which designs uniquely attractive and captivating jewelry and housewares adorned with patterns based on traditional symbols – called Adinkra – from his native Ghana. The second is Maine Culture which designs products which celebrate the natural beauty of Maine. He pursues his craft on the side when he’s not engaged with his full-time job in information technology for the Maine Turnpike Authority.
Of special note, Ebenezer offers the “Emekor Collection”, comprised of colorful, polycarbonate earrings depicting Adinkra, from which 70% of the proceeds support water purification in Ghana.
Our discussion covers, among other things:
*the influence of his upbringing at a vocational school in Ghana
*his education and training, which took an enviable detour to Italy
*what brought him to Maine
*the importance of technology to his work
*cultural background for Adinkra
*how lighthouses, moose and pine cones were instrumental to his use of Adinkra
*his belief in patience and fate
Ebenezer finds hope in how his customers find the importance in – and complete the story about – his creations. Stated in another, beguiling way: he finds hope in his lack of power to define or limit the positive influence his creations can have.
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