the holy grail of beads...

if you love beads you will have heard a rumor

that goes something like this...

there is a holy grail of beads-

back east- somewhere in rhode island.

have you heard of it?

because THIS is it!

row, upon row, upon high, tall, deep row

(of beads).  glorious beads

and charms and chain.

well i had heard of it, and i was crazy to go there.

this is because in my own way i am a total

crow!  meaning i love a little shiny object, 

particularly a bead, and i also love a treasure hunt

which is exactly what this place is.

SO... last fall i went to boston for one of my best friends
wedding and before the big day, we had our own version of a
bachelorette party...  this meant going to the warehouse
ALL DAY!   so we got up earlyand headed to rhode island
for a day of seek and find.

needless to say you are sworn to secrecy when you go to this 

place, so i can't name names or locations (sorry).  basically

you have to track this puppy down on your own and call

and make an appointment.  but i swear if you go there you

will have butterflies in your tummy OR on the flip side

you might think how gross and dirty this place is

(i suppose this has to do with your nature).

but i promise you- if you find it, you will be in bead heaven.

there was the vintage lucite room (yes ROOM), there was

the room filled with vintage cabochons, rows of glass beads,

rows of vintage enameled flowers, rows and rows of charms...

a basement of metal  (a whole huge basement of it!)

as a parting photo, a brand new box of the most amazing

olive lucite beads with the original invoice in the box

from 1962!   such a great find and such a great way to 

spend the day with a dear friend (who loves beads!).

and yes, we were there until closing.

(and it wasn't hard to do at all)  PLUS 

we missed a room!

OOx  c.

p.s.  if you're interested, you can see my travel companion
jenne rayburn's fabulous jewelry right here,
www.jennerayburn.com
(i love (and have) the crow earrings!)