Hello Virginia,
I have had good success with the following company:
http://www.empyreanbeads.com/
They have a large selection of very tiny seed beads and keep a good
selection of antique beads in stock.  We had to find some for a Native
American piece and this was the ONLY place that had the very tiny 22/24
size seed beads that we needed.  They also have very long bugle beads
that can also be hard to find.
Good Luck

Joanne Hackett

>>> [log in to unmask] 05/01/07 3:46 PM >>>
I am searching for a source of Venetian glass seed beads to compensate
for areas of loss in a 17th c. English beaded, lidded box (a.k.a.
casket, cabinet). The replacement beads will be 'marked' as non-original
by the modern material of (polyester filament)  threaded through them
before application and/or a barrier layer of tinted Japanese paper
beneath.

Any suggestions of sources of old beads or a glass worker/ bead maker
who could custom-make new beads for the project would be appreciated.

Description: very small glass seed beads, 2.2mm diameter  (11/0) and
1.5mm diameter (15/0 ) in solid, opaque colors, rounded edges. Limited
quantities of up to 150 each of  8-10 colors needed. A sample of every
color is available for those viable leads.

My internet searches, queries to many antique dealers & several glass
makers, visits to many beading stores have not been fruitful.

Thanks.

Virginia J. Whelan
Textile Conservator
Merion Station, Pennsylvania USA




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