More from the Road

While wandering from bead store to bead store, I came across another store with an Indian shop keeper. The prices weren't all that great but they had these really unusual sterling spacer beads. If you haven't already noticed, I'm a sucker for small and dainty components.

Since it was sold by the gram and marked up quite a bit over the current market price for silver, I only picked up a dozen of these.

These little beads are so cute, I had to wire up another pair of drop earrings... so I sandwiched them between some faceted roundelle iolites. I brought wire, but didn't bring any headpins, so the only thing I could do was use briolettes at the end of the drop.

Fortunately, I brought these beautiful moonstones along with. They were actually quite expensive and are also relatively soft. When I started working with them, I actually ruined quite a few stones. It's a shame. Moonstones are beautifully opalescent, and look different from every angle. I love these, since each stone is unique.

The iolite is the perfect compliment to the bluish hues in the moonstone.
(Actually, iolite is also kind of soft... but not as much as the moonstone.)

Since all of these gems were purchased in strands, I could actually make a couple similar pairs of earrings. They are light and pretty, but I probably wouldn't make these except by special order or as gifts.

Maybe I should go back to Akasukabashi and look for more of these beads. Hehehehehehe.