Trade Beads on a (Nearly) Wordless Wednesday

Wikipedia: Trade beads were otherwise decorative glass beads used between the 16th and 20th century as a currency to exchange for goods, services and slaves. Made to ease the passage of European explorers and then traders mainly across the African continents, the beads were made throughout Europe although the Venetians dominated production. Trade beads are also found in the United States and Canada, and throughout Latin America. The production of trade beads became so popular that literally tons of these beads were used for this purpose. Beads were used as ballast in ships for the outbound trip. The beads and other trade items were exchanged for human cargo as well as ivory, gold and other goods desired in Europe and around the world. The beads traded were not of a set design, but were produced according to demand.

Brightandshinythings with Trade Beads, old and new, can be found here.  The modern-day trade beads were created by the extremely talented Amy Hoover.

A Beady Reunion

Years passed.  Beads were created.  Beads fell.  Beads rolled away.  Beads became jewelry.  They joined key rings and necklaces, bracelets and rings, earrings and anklets.  Some would meet after years had passed and recall time spent on the mandrel, or the days in the beadmaker's kiln.  Some would find each other on bead social networking sites like BeadBook and MyBead.  At last they decided that a reunion was called for.

The invitations went out to all the corners of the world.  And soon the beads began their winding trek to the site of the reunion.



They followed ancient paths and goat trails.



They criss-crossed continents, rolling hither and yon.



They hitched rides on freighters, stowed away in airplane cargo bays, hopped freight trains until at last they were reunited.



Their were representatives from all the continents, with beads of pottery and shells...



...beads of stone and beads of bone...



...beads of wood and beads of glass...



All night long they rolled and strung each other.  They matched shape and played games arranging themselves by size.  They wire-wrapped their friends and their new acquaintances.  They fused.  And then, as quickly as they gathered, they returned, for they had a destiny.



To celebrate earth with pretty shiny things.