Red Bird's Story: Miscellany strand of linked art beads- each different by alienBeadings

In the betweentimes, I pause and marvel at the extent of my collection of old, ancient, new, quirky and artist-made beads. Sometimes there are individual beads that bring back the sentiments of a beautiful day, a lovely discovery, a shop with mystique, an artist I adore, and I can't bear the thought of putting them away until they're called for...

This is the origin of my storyteller necklaces, each filled with unique beads that have meaning for me and will become the starting point of a conversation between curious and appreciative folks.

Each storyteller has its theme, although many are a celebration of totems, spirit animals and the joy of remembering, which is one of the main purposes beads have borne from prehistoric times. some think beads were reminders of the verses of oral poetry, worn by the poets and traveling minstrels to keep complex and intricate song and story fresh in their minds.

These pieces are almost always ombre designs, meaning the colors flow in a pattern of shades like a painters palette. They have an organization that is meant for memorization and wonder. Ancient storytellers, wandering minstrels and poets almost certainly used mnemonic objects to help them recall the long verses of oral history in poems and songs - beads could easily have been one such tool.

Because I rarely forget the circumstance and stories of beads, I will be happy to share more details about the beads in your necklace if you'd like.

This one is 32", long enough to easily slip over the head. It can be lengthened or shortened if you would like, generally at a modest cost, but depending on the length and value of the beads for each link. Some of the beads I use in these pieces are rare and expensive and would usually be the focal of a necklace or bracelet on their own.

There are beads in this piece representing beadmaking all over the world, some are vintage or recent replicas of rare vintage beads. Some are new and the work of contemporary bead makers, but like us, each is an individuals with a place and a purpose.