Pre-World War I Seed Beads

These seed beads are extremely small! They are no longer made. I love them because a piece made from them feels like a piece of fine cloth, and the colors, especially the greens, are unavailable in modern beads.

I have a wonderful collection of these seed beads that I came upon in a time-honored way. When I was visiting family in Arizona, I found a litttle beadstore whose owner had been a worldwide traveller and bead collector her entire life. I found these small beads on a bottom shelf. When I brought them up to the counter she would only unenthusiastically sell me a few strands, and those at a high price! She told me to bring in a sample of beadwork made from the beads and then she would consider selling me more. She wanted to know if I knew how to work with such small beads before selling me more. She knew the value of these beads, loved them herself, and wanted to make sure they went to someone that would actualy use them. When I came back a week later with a small piece made from them, her whole attitude changed. Now the price went down.

Whenever I came to visit, I brought pieces made from these beads to show her, and over the next few years I bought most of her collection of these beads.