I love putting the beads together and choosing just how they will be. I choose the materials with great care. I feel a connection with the pieces I choose. I love calla lilies and really appreciated the vintage pink lucite beads that I found. The carp are great fun and I love that they represent strength and wealth. The dragonfly brings the happiness of summer among other meanings.

Besides the Chinese scrimshaw, I like the narrative value of the African trade beads. The older they are, the more stories they have to tell. The orange beads with the lampwork are called " white eyes. They were made in Venice and have a smaller white bead in the center of the bead. Many of the African trade beads were made in Venice as well as Bohemia. Currently, some are made of recycled metals such as copper and aluminum. Others are made of recycled glass from such varied materials as Coor bottles and the dark blue Ponds bottles.

I sell the sets as sets only. The prices include shipping. I ship USPS 3 day priority and only with in the continental U.S.A. Please send me and e-mail with your name and shipping address. Thank you.