Bead pornography

I don't know - and won't until/unless I buy some - whether the beads on Exotic India are of an exceptional quality, but I do know that they're doing something very right indeed with their bead photography.

I spent much of yesterday evening gazing, misty-eyed, at the screen and almost drooling with lust.

Unfortunately, I made the tactical error earlier in the week of giving Pop written permission to be Very Stern Indeed should he glean even the slightest hint that I might be tempted to purchase anything else of a beady nature before payday. And a stern Pop is quite a scary thing to behold. So I'm only allowed to look for the moment.

But, on the assumption that some of the people who read this blog (erm, probably mainly the female ones, if Pop's response to semi-precious stones can be taken as indicative of that of his entire gender) might want to only look for the moment as well, here are two of my very favourites.

These yummy chalcedony beads are an astonishing £3.75 for a 14.5" string.

These sweet little faceted Peruvian opal briolettes are £24 for a 5.4" string.

Everything on the website is currently reduced by 25% in price for a "holiday sale". (They seem rather reluctant to make a firm statement as to when the "holiday" finishes, but I'm hoping it'll carry on for another eleven days or so.) Shipping is free worldwide, and they reckon to be able to get your goodies to you within 4 - 6 working days.

Of course, beads aren't the only things they sell. There's artwork and sculpture and textiles and all sorts. And, as a rather charming added bonus, a lot of the illustrations can be sent as e-cards.

Enjoy.

The Editor