Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A New York Bead Dig

Sofia and I have been having a little fun - spending the last few days in New York City - seeing friends, visiting old haunts and eating at some of our favorite restaurants. On Monday, I snuck out for a bit and dropped in on my friend Mr. C who owns one of the deepest bead digs in New York City. Room after room after room after room - stuffed with boxes of old glass cabochons, beads, buttons and notions - Mr. C owns one of the last great places that still sells vintage by the pound. Whenever I arrive, and I have been coming here for years, Mr. C takes me into each room and explains where everything is - the pearl room, the chain room, the Napoleonic room, the Victorian room, the Austrian crystal room and on and on and on. The funny thing is - I know all of this already - I know exactly where I want to go and what I want to dig out - I probably hid it there the last time I was excavating. After Mr. C gives me the full tour and tells me to play nice - he leaves me to dig through the boxes to find the gold. I usually overspend and carry out way too many strands of old glass pearls - but I can't help myself - and it doesn't help that Mr. C is constantly reminding me that the supply is running out - get it while you can!  It doesn't get any better than this - a true, honest to goodness New York bead dig - just what I needed!

21 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:47 PM

    hi kaari, i was just looking through every post, right back to day one, wishing for more, and then, boom, i witnessed the birth of a new post! how gratifying!

    enjoy your new york trip, karen kahle of primitive spirit hooked rugs

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  2. Oh my! How do you ever leave?

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  3. oh wow that just looks amazing so glad you got to have a dig
    hugs Beth

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  4. Heaven...you're in beads heaven! Enjoy you're visite in NY!

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  5. Bead archeology....sounds fun! Susan

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  6. oh that looks heavenly :) I remember those huge stores after my year at FIT. So many treasures!

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  7. Looks like heaven to me!!

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  8. How fun for you and Sofia! Like playing dress-up, but ever so much better!

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  9. Oh you're lucky! What fun to see all those boxes and actually get to poke through them - how many did you hide for next time?!?

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  10. what a grand way to spend a day....

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  11. Heavenly! I think they might have to bury me (or take away my credit card).
    ~Marilee

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  12. How in the world did you ever find out about this place?

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  13. Wonderful store - for those of us that live on the east coast and can't come to your shop can you share your source? I go to NYC alot and visit the trim stores!

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  14. A.MA.ZING!! Can't wait to see what you found.

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  15. Those envelopes in the second photo... quelle merveille! I want them. I see the word "deuil" and wonder if the envelope contains "mourning" beads.

    Seriously, next time you're in NYC, let me know. I would love to see you again. xox

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  16. Oh my, that would be heaven to dig for beads. It's probably just as well that I don't know where this place is.

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  17. I don't know how you keep yourself on a budget!

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  18. Anonymous10:01 PM

    You always 'play nice', yet every girl has her secret..., it seems yours is Mr. C, BRAVO! Bring it on home to FG, can't wait! Loved the dress-up with Sophia, what a wonderful weekend for you 2! OX

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  19. Would you be willing to share the name and address of this marvelous place? I am planning a New York trip with a friend and would LOVE to dig around in Mr. C's treasures! Better start saving NOW . . .

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