Oh, all right. How did he get started in beads?
This is the most FAQ. He taught English in Iran between 1975 and 1978. Rather than buying Persian carpets, he began collecting beads. He soon realized that 1.) They were a window to most everything, 2.) They were a perfect fit for his broad interests, and 3.) No one really knew anything about them. His next step was to go to India (Deccan College, Pune) and study archaeology, as this was the key to older beads. Eventually, he realized no one could teach him about beads. He would have to do it on his own.
