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:

Anonymous said...

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

Kari V. said...

Oh my! How do you ever leave?

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

Oh how totally decadent!

chook said...

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

Miranda said...

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

Mouse Droppings Folk Art said...

Bead archeology....sounds fun! Susan

Casa e Cose said...

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

Babsarella said...

Looks like heaven to me!!

Unknown said...

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

Jillayne said...

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?!?

nonnie said...

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

Rose Brier Studio said...

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

Mamamotherlode said...

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

Leslie said...

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!

Rachel said...

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

A bird in the hand said...

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

Michelle Rose Jorgensen said...

Heavy Sigh..........

Alice said...

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.

Carrie Mc W said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Della said...

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 . . .