Relax in Ubud and buy what you like. Stay away from antiques unless you can afford to gamble.
I feel you need to know beads well enough when shopping for antique and ancient beads in Bali. Anyway, I would visit Ferry in Kuta. You will not be disappointed if you hope to be persuaded by good but low priced copies. But do not presume you will find a market for your beautiful beads when you get home.
Even if you don't know what you are doing, it is OK. Bali is one of the best destinations for a traveler. Relying on your good taste alone, you will find plenty for resale. If you see the process as the benefit you derive, you won't be sorry when you fail to make monetary gains. I feel the golden years for novice antiques entrepreneurs is over.
I am a Million Mile Flyer on United Airlines and I have spent nearly everyday shopping. When I've returned home, I have been lucky to recover only my expenses by reselling my purchases. If you travel with no expectations, you will eventually benefit with the kind of understanding you can only acquire through experiencing diverse ways of doing things.
Also, I have shopped in Vietnam and found no beads. Vietnamese shopkeepers seem to find their merchandise in Bangkok.
Thank you, Frederick, for that well-considered advice. I actually do not seek to resell. Maybe would consider someday but not on my agenda and not antiques. I make jewelry for my own and for gifting pleasure and find myself compelled to hunt for beads or odd ball objects d'art. And i am drawn to old things, things of beauty that had a life to ponder
and, ultimately, talent aside, have a deep appreciation for colour and form. Beads have me in their grips and increasingly so the more i learn about them.
But i appreciate your sagacious advice about the apprach to the experience and the quest. Good advice indeed. And Bali has such bounty when it comes to beauty and culture to enjoy!
My recommandation, before leaving for Vietnam, is a plant-tour of DOW. You could ask (the right) questions. The answers might educate you to understand that beautiful country - and its beautiful people - so much better.
"Hasta la victoria siempre!"
