In 1973, the California Gift Show price for these particular cloisonné beads was eighteen dollars each. And if you bought one, you would have been fortunate to recover your investment because they are too big for most people to collect and wear gracefully: They are about an inch and a quarter in diameter, or 32mm -better suited for ornaments on a Christmas Tree.

If the same detail were applied to one half inch diameter or a little larger, the same amount of detail would have been astounding; the smaller the bead, the more difficult to apply wires and enamel.

Like you, I was initially attracted to these large beads. But after trying a few, I found them impossible to work with. And nobody wanted them.

Best Wishes for the New Year,