I am a bead collector and bead artist who has downsized into a smaller house and it quickly became apparent that unless I find new homes for some of my beads and beadwork, we will quickly be sleeping in the street. For that reason, I am listing a whole lot of necklaces from my private collection. I am also selling some of my beads that I have more than enough of at https://www.etsy.com/shop/FamilyonBikesDestash

I spent 12 years living overseas as an expat and another 5 years traveling full time. Whenever and wherever I traveled, I sought out beads. I bought the best of the best and bought them for me – I never intended to sell them. The necklaces I made with my beads were intended for my own personal use. If I’m honest, I will admit I have many I’ve never even worn. I mean – how many can one person wear anyway?

My antique Ethiopian silver, in particular, is something to consider. We landed in Addis Ababa (the capital of Ethiopia) in 1995 – four years after the Communist regime was overthrown. Four years was enough time for things to stabilize and tourists were starting to trickle in. For the first time in many years, families were able to sell off their old jewelry and I was there. Needless to say, I snatched it up.

By the time I left in 2002, the good stuff was no longer available. Every once in a while a shopkeeper would call me to let me know he got something amazing in, but for the most part it was unavailable. If you were to go to Ethiopia today, you would not find what I have. Even if you managed to find it, the museum would not allow you to take it out of the country.

I have a large collection of museum-quality Ethiopian silver. At this point I am selling my finished pieces and may, one day, decide to sell the individual pieces I have. For now, however, those will remain with me.

During the 25 years that I’ve been beading and collecting, my work has varied tremendously. It is always influenced by where I am living at the time – when it Africa, it had a more tribal feel ; in Taiwan, the Chinese influence is apparent; now that I’m in the USA, my beadwork has a much more modern feel. You will immediately see the variations.

If you are interested in my destash of beads, please go here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FamilyonBikesDestash

You can read more about me and my adventures at http://www.familyonbikes.org/blog
I have more information about my work and photos to many pieces at http://www.familyonbikes.org/beads