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Welcome to Monkeybiz

Monkeybiz is a beacon of creativity and social upliftment project, based in the heart of Cape Town, South Africa. Founded in 2000, Monkeybiz is a non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the traditional craft of beadwork while empowering women from under-resourced communities. Our mission is to create sustainable income opportunities and to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of South African art.

New Arrivals

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Animals

Animals

Animals

Décor

Décor

Décor

Collectibles

Collectibles

Collectibles

At Monkeybiz, we transform traditional beadwork into "one-of-one" contemporary art pieces.

Collectable Art

Each creation, whether it be a whimsical animal figure, a vibrant doll, or an intricate sculpture, is unique and handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail. Our beaded works are not only artistic masterpieces but also symbols of hope and empowerment.

Explore Our Collection

Custom Beadwork, Crafted Just for You

Collaborate with our artists to transform your concept into a one-of-a-kind handcrafted creation.
Standing tall at 140cm, this one-of-a-kind beaded giraffe is a true showstopper — a unique, handcrafted piece of collectible art. Beaded for the wonderful @aafricaastore 🖤 DM us to order your own exhibition giraffe or shop any of your favorite pieces directly on our website 💛
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Feeling lucky? We are — and we’re sharing the love! Shop our larger-than-life beaded grocery collection and all your favorite beaded creatures at 20% OFF now through Mother’s Day (12 May). Each piece is a one-of-a-kind collectible — once it’s gone, it’s gone! So grab yours while it’s still available 🫶 *Discount applied at checkout.
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At Monkeybiz, we believe that when children are given the opportunity to explore their creativity at home—surrounded by family and rooted in culture—they thrive. That’s why community-led arts initiatives are so vital. They don’t just nurture young imaginations—they keep children safe, connected, and inspired. 💛 Through the traditional craft of beadwork, Monkeybiz has helped build a strong foundation for creativity and economic empowerment. For over two decades, our work has supported generations of artists—past, present, and future—by creating space for families to stay together, pass down knowledge, and find purpose through art. 👩🏾‍👧🏾🎨 From grandmothers to grandchildren, the beads tell stories of resilience, culture, and hope. Let’s keep investing in the power of art and community to shape a brighter, safer future for our children. To celebrate the community around us, especially the mother figures in our lives, we are gifting you all 20% OFF all orders until Mother’s Day (12 May) 🫶💛🌸🩷
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Our elegant and iconic long-legged elephant shows off a beautifully curved trunk in a bold colourway, adorned in a beautifully symmetrical geometric design. Our iconic long-legged collection consists of elephants, lions, giraffes, bokkies and zebra and is known as one of our most whimsical collections. Shop this and many more fun and contemporary designs on our website - remember only one of each design is available - first come, first serve 😉💛
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A close-up of our deliciously beaded turnip 💜💜 Part of our newly released life-size veggie collection, this turnip is a great art-piece to add to your kitchen or designer bowl on display. It stands out as a piece on its' own but looks even better with the rest of our beautiful veggie collection which consists of beaded carrots, corn, tomatoes and eggplants 🥕🌽🍅🍆 Fill your home with real handmade goodness and support our incredible women’s empowerment project while you shop ✨💛 **We ship WORLDWIDE 🌍✈
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Bead artist, Shiela Maishe welcoming us at the entrance to her beautifully colourful home in the heart of Khayelitsha, adorning traditional dress and face paint. Sheila Maishe has been with Monkeybiz for over two decades, she started beading animals and is now one of our talented grocery artists. Monkeybiz has created a platform for artists like Shiela to create their own income stream through beaded art, with mostly no other source of income, the artists rely on us to help them house, feed and educate themselves and their extended families 🫶 Help us make a difference by shopping the artist’s one-of-a-kind beaded artworks and add some real value into your home 🏠 Shop our latest collection now 💛
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Hoppy Easter from our beaded bunnies to yours! 🐰💐✨ Wishing you a joyful day filled with love, laughter, and a little bit of magic 🥚🌸 Whether you're hunting eggs or simply soaking up the sunshine — we’re sending warm wishes from our family to yours. With love, The Monkeybiz Team 💛
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Mandisa Phindela’s beaded baboon in a bold speckled purple & white with bright yellow socks 💜🤍💛 Talk about a showstopper! Explore our full Safari Collection — packed with playful, one-of-a-kind pieces handcrafted by our incredible artists. 🌍 We ship worldwide! 🛒 Tap the link in bio to shop the look.
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Want to give your home a personal touch? Add interesting textures! It’s one of the quickest, most effective ways to create a space that feels truly ‘you’. Think woven rugs, layered fabrics—and don’t forget the magic of beadwork. Beaded art adds a bold, handcrafted element that instantly sparks conversation and brings soul to any room. It’s a beautiful way to add character and warmth. Our beaded coaster sets add such a welcome touch to your table, shop now online 💛
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The magic lies not just in the final piece—but in the making of it. Each beaded creation begins with a single bead, delicately threaded using a fine needle, guided by the hands and heart of the artist. One bead at a time, colour by colour, a story unfolds. 🎨✨ Our artists use a meticulous weave-beading technique to craft intricate patterns that reflect their creativity and spirit. Even a small bunny like this can take anywhere from 7 to 20 days to complete—every detail a testament to patience, skill, and passion. 🐇💫 Browse our online store to discover these extraordinary artworks—pieces that fill your home with wonder and help uplift the lives of our artists. 💛
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With Easter 🐣 around the corner, it’s bunny season at Monkeybiz 🐰 We have a beautiful collection of beaded bunnies in an array of colours and designs that would be the perfect fit on your Easter tables or the perfect gift for a loved one 💛 Shop now - limited stock available. We ship worldwide ✨
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Our iconic long-legged animals are back with a fresh colours and designs! Handmade with love, there’s one to suit every home and personality — from bold statements to subtle accents 💛💛✨ Shop the newest collection now on our website. We offer international shipping!
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A beautiful, warm smile from bead artist, Refiloe Mohlafuna, as we visit her Khayelitsha home on a Monkeybiz collection day 💛✨ Refiloe is a talented picture mat and coaster beader who has worked with us for many years, her use of colour and traditional designs are what makes her work extraordinary. Visit our website to view all available picture mats and coasters for sale, shop to add some colour to your space 💛
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Looking to add a pop of colour and texture to your space? A beautifully handcrafted beaded table mat or coaster is the perfect touch to elevate your home effortlessly! From bold contemporary styles to timeless African designs, our collection has something for every aesthetic. Shop our beaded picture mats and coasters now—available on our website. ✨💛 Link in bio!
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A beaming smile from proud bead artist, Nosintu Nkawule, as she shows off her beautiful and brightly coloured porcupine 🫶✨ This is a piece that Nosintu worked on for a period of 2 weeks, all while taking care of her children and her household. To support Nosintu and artists just like her, you can visit our online store and shop their beautifully beaded art, and at the same time, fill your home with handmade goodness 💛
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We have an early Easter surprise for you! 🐣🐰 We are celebrating the beauty of African art with you by offering you 20% OFF all our beaded Bunnies from 20 March until 3 April or until stocks last. Fill your home with meaningful heirlooms that can be passed down from generation to generation 🫶✨ Discount is automatically added at checkout 🛒 We ship worldwide ✈🌍 #easterbunny #bunny #easterdecor #beadedart #beadwork
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Our larger than life beaded Campbell’s Soup Can pays homage to Andy Warhol’s famous Pop Art 🥫 This form of art was originally created to challenge traditional art boundaries by elevating everyday, mass-produced objects to the status of fine art. This truly speaks to who we are and what we do at Monkeybiz 💛✨ Our beaded Campbell’s Soup Can is available for purchase on our website- only 1 available 🫶
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Beadwork is more than just art—it’s history, culture, and storytelling woven into every tiny bead. Across Africa, beading has been a sacred tradition for centuries, used to signify status, identity, and even messages of love. Passed down through generations, each piece carries the hands and heart of its maker. At Monkeybiz, we honor this rich heritage while giving it a modern twist, ensuring this incredible craft continues to thrive.
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We’re in our gardening era 🧑‍🌾🥕 Our bunch of beaded carrots in vibrant oranges and greens brings a warm feeling of goodness and homeliness 🧡🧡 Our life-size carrots are part of our NEWLY LAUNCHED beaded veggie collection. Shop all our beaded veggies directly online ✨
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OUR IMPACT

Empowerment

Each piece is designed and made by beaders in their own patterns and colours, and although there is a standard range of animal types when each artist makes her own animal every piece becomes unique.
Some of the artists are more experimental and adventurous and therefore new animals and methods join the Monkeybiz range…

Explore Our Artists

bigger than barbie

International Acclaim

International acclaim has followed. Known as folk art Monkeybiz pieces were snatched up by Sotherbys Contemporary Decorative arts for a sell-out exhibition in 2002. The vibrant dolls, animals and beaded pictures have enthralled shoppers and collectors in Conran Design.
Stores in New York, London, Paris and Tokyo. Donna Karan has sold Monkeybiz craft art in her New York store DKNY. You’ll also find these iconic pieces at ABC carpet and Home, a department store that sets trends not only as a New York institution but worldwide.
It was even the subject of a short documentary,BIGGER THAN BARBIE– a tongue-in-cheek title reflecting the ambitious nature of the project.