Somehow, things are trickier posting from an Ipad, so only one picture per post.

Peter gave me this little 'jade' carved monkey. It is newly made from some type of serpentine, I think. It is very cute, imho. I bought some beads to match it, and designer a necklace with it. I had a lady at Beijing pearl market knot it for me later on.

It was actually Frederick who made me think of that, as I remembered him saying he would have necklaces knotted for him in Chinatown, if I remembered correctly. It was a treat to have someone else make it for me, matching what I had in mind perfectly.

Even Peter could not resist digging for beads at the Panjiayuan market.....

I went to vist the Shanghai museum of glass, and wow, was that a great museum. They had a special exhibit on Warring states beads, aka dragonfly beads that was quite extensive and well laid out. Also, they had lots of modern glass art, live demonstrations and much more. I highly recommend visiting it.

Here is an image from the Warring States exhibit. The glass beads were lit with a small bright light from below, to show their translucency. They were difficult to photograph, but Peter tried. Will get back to you with these. There was also a catalogue to go with the exhibit with great pictures. I bought a few extra copies (actually the last ones in the museum shop)

We had great fun at a Shanghai antique market. I mostly look at these as a lesson in fake beads, artificial aging techniques and seeing what is valued on the current market. So lots of looking around, but no buying.

It was blossom season in Beijing and Shanghai.....
Beauty is not just in beads ;-)

We are now in Japan, where I bought a lot (a lot...) of Japanese Miyuki seed beads.
When I travel, I like to do a lot of beadwork. I mostly use 15/0 (aka tiny) beads, and it's great for on trains, planes and boats. I'll show some results when I get back.

The title of your next book?

You are having too much fun!

Safe travels and hope the cherry blossoms are out in Japan. There are special performances (all in Japanese of course) in the theaters during cherry blossom time and I recommend that you see one if possible. You may have to sit on the floor on a mat - the one I attended had no regular seats.

We just missed Cherry Blossom season here in Japan. Still some blossoms to be seen, but it's past it's peak.
Just found a great bookstore and was able to get several Japanese books on the history of beads. And tomorrow, off to Kobe. First on the list: the glass lampwork museum.

Yum! You're going to have some good food in Kobe!

We had fun in Kobe, and good food indeed. Osaka, where we spent most of our time, is known for it's food lovers. We pretty much had nothing but good food here in Japan. And a lot cheaper than expected, so some money left over for beads. And bead books and magazines. The Kobe lampwork museum is small, but very good. They have an excellent exhibit of ancient beads, and amazing beads by contemporary glass artists, from Japan and around the world. They also let me have a go on a Japanese lampwork torch. Very different from the ones used in Europe and the US. Also, the lampwork museum produces the Lammaga magazine, which is an excellent lampwork magazine. All in Japanese, but with great pictures. Tomorrow, we are back on the boat to Shanghai. For some reason, the return trip will be quite a bit longer that Shanghai-Osaka. Two and a half days of reading and beading ahead.

I love this little monkey! But what happend to the size of the images? Too hot washed memory card?
Safe travels and enjoy yourself!

My iPad is behaving like a cheeky monkey, that is the problem.....
On the road without a laptop, I am struggling to get the images sized down like I usually do. So the smart thing to do is like you: wait with posting till I get home.

The fact that you are struggling to share with us is so very much appreciated. Waiting until you get home to the laptop is fine... we are grateful for the photos and the stories! Travel safely!

Just joking of course. Enjoy this wonderful opportunity of traveling and bead hunting. You and Peter must be meeting the most wonderful people and seeing the most extraordinary sites. Big hug to you, Floor! :)

Arrived back in Shanghai yesterday, after our trip to Japan. We spent a total of 5 days on a ferry to get there and back. The first part was very relaxing, calm see, meeting fun people, doing my beadwork. The trip back was a bit different. Very rough sea, and the anti-seasickness medication was both not very productive, and affecting my vision (known temporary side-effect). Also, the tension on board seemed raised, since the terrible accident with the Korean Ferry, which was pretty much in the same waters as us. We did a major safety drill, which was both funny, and nervous.

Anyway, shipping my first box home tomorrow: mostly bead books and magazines. And old Beijing style yoghurt pots ;-)

It is always interesting to see other parts of the bead world with you. Safe travels to you and Peter!