Two green nueva cadiz, and a lovely strand of 5mm x 5mm clear "Russian" cut beads (clear versions of "Russian Blues") not seen (by me!) with an African trader in years were discovered (surface finds) in Leo's room. They are approx. 13mm x 25mm. The green NCs were at the bottom of a wooden box of.....eerrr....stuff. Always dig to the bottom.

More photos coming later - still recovering from the cold I picked up!

I've been more curious about the lovely 1930s Boshan (Chinese) millefiori beads in recent years. I was really rather dazzled to see these beads from the Summerfield collection displayed by Jamey Allen in the ballroom with the Ethnographic Group. What a splash of color! I will knot them simply on black cord. Approx. 12mm x 12mm.

Here is the informative text from Yankee at that time, accompanied by the first image...the "before" image....

Yankee's comments:

"Regarding your bead, I am pretty sure it's from Persia from the Seleucid period,300-200 BC. Seleucid was one of the generals of Alexander the Great and when Alexander died, the vast territory that he conquered was divided in between all of his army commanders. Seleucid got the chunk of Persian region. You can see a very strong Greek influence on the shape of the bead. They used to have lots of buds, acorns, etc…
The bead in the photo is upside down. The bottom part , which is the widest side of the perforation, probably had a gold cap on it. It was one of many identical graduated ones. Judging by the size of your bead, it was probably the center piece or close to the center.
I have seen a half necklace with the gold caps in Jerusalem but it was not for sale."

I've studied and enjoyed this bead quite a lot over the previous months...and after being very, very impressed with the design aesthetic of David Ebbinghouse and his jeweler friend Michael Winsten realized that they were the perfect people to approach about a suspension design to support this bead. Top of the suspension loop to tip, approx. 47mm x about 20mm across.

I am so pleased! I will be wearing this for quite some time; as in forever. Thank you so very much Art, Yankee, David and Michael.

If you completely disregard travel expenses: The beads you bought and the friendships you rekindled were well worthwhile.

I really like the Boshan Chinese millefiore; It is wonderful to see intact a group of old beads which have usually been parted out. -And the color distribution is very pleasing.

Congratulations on all of this and the successful mounting of your ancient Persian agate bead.

Just Fred

Yes! Seeing "bead buddies" that one doesn't see at any other time or place, resulting in contacts made here on BCN, for example, is a huge part of this. Most of us don't get to interact in person with other bead folk much in day to day life.

First is a killer strand of fancy blue king beads - seen at Alhaji Kaira's table at Gem Mall. Way out of my price range...but wonderful to see a whole strand of these rare beauties.

Second strand of fancy barrels from Leo Hakola's room at HoJo's, and this one did go home with me!