ANSWER: COTTON PEARLS, PROCESS DESCRIPTION.
I have this wonky Japanese necklace with these strange glitter and sparkler embellished beads. They are very light weight like papier mache and are large. I have never seen anything like them. Beady Eye, have you? I have no idea when these would have been made or whether they are contemporary. They have the iridescent thing going on.
Cynthia Fore Miller
I have this wonky Japanese necklace with these strange glitter and sparkler embellished beads. They are very light weight like papier mache and are large. I have never seen anything like them. Beady Eye, have you? I have no idea when these would have been made or whether they are contemporary. They have the iridescent thing going on.
Cynthia Fore Miller
"I LOVE THESE! What fun, Cynthia --I've only had one strand of these in another color -- yours are better-er! I would guess that these are 60s, but its just an educated guess (the beaded clasp detail, the color of the metal). I think they're cotton pearls - compacted, wound cotton fiber that's coated with a paint shell (they're sometimes left with a softer finish and just sort of stained with color). Very durable. And don't you love those spangles? Ok, now I'm going on a bit, but just think about all the processes these beads had to go through to completion: winding, drying, base coating, sponging, splatter AND individally applied spangles. An it probably SOLD for $3 TOPS!!! Amazing.... aren't beads just the best?" --Anne Morrissey, 02/21/09
"Oh, Anne! I remember something about those wound cotton fiber beads. I was just looking inside the holes and it is white so that is what it is. They seem very sturdy. I can't imagine the work that went into them. I just got through staining wood and I can attest to all that painting, drying, waiting for the next coat, etc. It is amazing. Thanks for helping me out. I might eventually learn something about beads." --Cynthia Fore Miller, 02/21/09
"Cotton pearls - how fun is that! I had a strand of Japanese beads also made of some strange concoction (maybe they were cotton) but when I went to clean them they literally collapsed/melted. Mine were also
lacquer coated and I can't help but wonder if water might damage yours as well, Cynthia. I imagine they would need a cleaning but with what?" --Jan Gaughan, 02/21/09
"When they're coated like Cynthia's cotton pearls are, these beads are very durable and would take a steel-toed boot to destroy them. The uncoated or matte ones would not stand up to H2O. As for your beads that fell apart, Jan, I've found that Japanese beadmakers were quite creative. There are very treasured
beads made of rice flour, others made of lac and shell, and papier mache, too. I had once bought a stash of these lighter than air puffy, iridescent Japanese beads that reminded me of the shells we found as kids on the beaches of Cape Cod -- we called them potato chip shell, for they were thin and golden. Well, I made a necklace out of then for my friend's young daughter, three, who of course proceeded to put them in her mouth. Turns out they were made of pure cellulose and totally dissolved." --Anne Morrissey, 02/21/09
"I, too, love those beads! Even though a lot of people do not think too much of the Japanese necklaces, I have always collected them because of the beads and the colors. And really, considering most of these necklaces/earrings are from the 50s and probably 60s, they are still in remarkably good shape! It is always fun to look at these
pieces. I am thinking of one in particular that has such lightweight beads in a vibrant orange color that it takes your breath away! These bead necklaces from Japan and W. Germany were the first pieces I really collected. I just couldn't resist them. Now I am not finding too many, but I do love them!" --Mary Nefzger, 02/21/09
Other Sizes: Original Medium