How I came to Love Beads

My introduction to beads and jewelry came early. Our family’s German landlady had come to America after narrowly escaping the Nazis. She had rescued her personal collection of antique Venetian glass and African trade beads, and she kept them in several small trunks that looked just like a pirate’s treasure chest. We admired them together; Mrs. Kaplan shared her knowledge of bead designs and the history of beads. She passed her love of these exquisite works of art to me.

Growing up in Hyde Park district of Chicago, I could spend lots of free time at the Oriental Institute of Chicago, and became an avid student of ancient Egypt. In sixth grade, my research project on King Tutankhamen accidentally turned into the first biography ever written about him. (Much had been written on the treasure found in his tomb.) I was fascinated that a child about my own age had ruled a fabulous country and wielded so much power if only for a short time. The Oriental Institute included my paper in their stacks.

Formal study of jewelry craft began during my high school years. In college, I studied Greek and Roman archaeology, anthropology and physics. During my senior year of college, while studying in Oxford, I had the opportunity visit the Ashmolean Museum often and view their extensive collection of antique beads. The Jewel Room at the British Museum was also a frequent haunt. I have continued to expand my knowledge with courses from the Gemological Institute of America.

I use antique and contemporary Venetian, French, Dutch, Bohemian and Turkish glass beads to make necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other unusual ornaments. Precious and semi-precious gemstones of the highest quality, gold and silver are used to accent. Quality craftsmanship distinguishes my work from the rest.

Beads reflect a tradition dating back to 3000 BC These beads were worn to promote good luck, and for protection from misfortune (the evil eye or malocchio). Archeological evidence suggests that concepts linking eyes and protective magic to beads evolved in western Asia and Africa, and were carried west and east with developing trade routes. The oldest eye beads made were drilled stones like agate and carnelian.

The evolution of glass beads began with human discovery of glassmaking techniques in ancient Egypt. Beads were incorporated into jewelry, personal adornments, and everyday utensils of Egypt, the Hebrews, China, India, Persia, and Italy.
Beads are still used and admired in Africa, the Middle East, and southern Asia, as well as the Americas. As in ancient times, they adorn people, homes, pets, livestock and vehicles as protective talismans.

I see both antique and contemporary beads as a link to the past through work that will last into the millennium. Beads and jewelry reflect where we are today, what we were, and who we will become. One can neither break nor ignore the thread of history, for like a strand of beads, the result would be chaos.

Wear your beads in good fortune!