Bead Tours

04/09/2025

Happy Hump Back day!

03/15/2025

03/14/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF6h-JSClew

We have many Vintage Glass Nailheads - Made in Bohemia - circa 1865 thru 1915. Located in our warehouse Browns Valley, CA

03/03/2025

I first discovered these beautiful shell buttons in Tucson while visiting a vendor after the one day business was finished, and we were having a beer and some food in his booth/room. I looked in a paper bag stashed under a table and saw these incredible buttons inside. When I asked him what they were, Zahair told me they were old vintage Swat Valley buttons from Pakistan. There were about 400 buttons, and there were about 4 different sizes and designs. I bought them all on the spot, and my love affair with these fabulous buttons began.

Zahair is Afghani, and sold tribal antiques from Afghanistan and Pakistan. He told me these buttons were over 100 years old, and came from Gilgit, the regional city of the area in the Swat Valley of Northern Pakistan and the North Western Tribal Areas. Gilgit is on the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road, which was used by traders traveling from China to the west and India. I did more research, and found articles posted on the web by Kathleen of Global Beads in Mountain View, California, and Julie of Tika Imports. Both confirmed that these buttons were as Zahair stated. These buttons are also known as "Tany". The shell would have been imported into Gilgit from the Arabian Ocean, Indian Ocean and South China Sea, and quite possibly the Mediterranean Sea.

My stash sold out quickly, and soon I was scrambling to find more. I found a new source out of Pakistan, who had thousands in stock, of which I have been able to replenish my inventory several times. According to my new supplier, Tany (Gilgit or Swat Valley buttons) were carved in Gilgit, Pakistan between 1905 and 1930 during the British Raj era and were worn on traditional clothing and hats. Also according to my supplier, the President of Pakistan has declared antique Tany buttons a national treasure and not permitted to be exported out of Pakistan any longer. So as the antique button stashes run out, we will have to rely on new shell Tany buttons to fill our needs. And currently we still have some of the old ones still in stock in our warehouse.

Fairly new Gilgit buttons

Talking to Julie of Tika, who specializes in this area, new Tany are still being carved in Gilgit, but the shell looks new (does not have the golden patina which developed over the century the antique ones have been in existence) and have floral curved edges which look different than the old ones. New buttons are substantially cheaper in price than the antiques. But Pakistan is well known to have very talented smugglers, so as long as there are customers for antique buttons, and as long as there are antique buttons, sources will be available. Besides the fact, that Pakistan has bigger problems than button smugglers to worry about. Sometimes it is difficult to tell the new form the old, so we rely heavily on our suppliers.

One other major problem for me as an importer is that I like to go to areas of interest to find items such as the Gilgit buttons and purchase them direct either from the market or from the manufacturer.

The Swat Valley, being up north in the tribal areas of Pakistan, has become off limits to Americans because the area is a hotbed of militancy and terrorism, and currently is the place the US is fighting the Taliban with drone attacks. We are not well loved there and a business trip to the region could definitely end in disaster. So we will have to rely on Pakistani suppliers to bring the product to us. Our most recent supplier is an Afghani Pustan who visits the area once a year. On his last trip, March 2013, he only stayed four days because anything longer and people will start to pay attention to him and he could be kidnapped. He is also an American citizen, which would increase his danger.

01/29/2025

I am trying to work around the dates for the Czech Tour and an important operation my Husband is needing. The doctor keeps changing the dates on me. I hope to have an answer in the next few days.

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas and hope you all have a wonderful day!

12/25/2024

Glass Beadmaking tools at the Glass Museum in Czech Republic

12/24/2024

Happy Christmas Eve to all!

12/23/2024

Happy Sunday

12/21/2024

Happy Saturday!

12/20/2024

I do hope everyone is also taking a few minutes a day for yourself to slow down during all this hustle and bustle time of year. Enjoy a good book, drink a cup of tea, have a few moments to look outside enjoying nature, and remember to love yourself.
My wish to all of you is Happiness and Love all year long. From J-Me, your loving Bead Fairy of Wild Things Beads

12/14/2024

We would like to invite you to join my Facebook Group, Wild Things Beads Destash Group. Please remember to answer the questions to be accepted. Thank you
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1020772297952259/

I will be posting Czech and German glass Beads and Buttons, Stone beads, Amber beads, Art Nouveau Pewter, Stone Cabs, more goodies, with some history and stories about beads. And Yes, we sell many Uranium Glow beads!
Thank you and have fun and Tell all your friends!
J-Me & Guy of Wild Things Beads, Importer and Lover of Beads and Buttons for 44 years

Send a message to learn more

12/14/2024

Hi Everyone, I will be posting Vintage Buttons on cards Monday stating at 10am.; to Wild Things Beads Destash Group.
There are a variety from France, Germany, USA, Thailand and a few more countries. Included in these postings are going to be a series of “Hallmark Friendship Carded Buttons”, which are realistic buttons in the Blue Book and collectible. Each of those animal type of buttons has a cute name for every card.
We hope you will enjoy these postings!