These classic designer metal beads are manufactured in Germany. The beads are cast in tin then plated with 22kt gold, antiqued copper, fine silver, or oxidized fine silver. The plated beads are then matted and covered in lacquer to keep the finish. The shapes are either designed or chosen by Ava Motherwell. The chain & clasps are solid brass with the same finishes.

Ava Motherwell learned that at one time jewelry designers commissioned Parisian bead makers to make exclusive bead designs. Envisioning a bead that glowed from within, Ava went to Paris in 1990 to search for such an artisan. After much effort she found one of the last families of Parisian bead makers. Together, with this fourth generation family of artisans, Ava designed these exquisite lampwork beads. Made with German glass and silver foil, then matted, they created a bead that glows. One of the exceptional features of the Yayin line is that they are made from vintage glass, making each color batch unique. These beads are made exclusively for Ava Motherwell.

Ava Motherwell has been dealing in vintage German beads for many years. When so many wonderful shapes and colors began to sell out, Ava commissioned glass bead makers in Germany to make new beads in vintage styles. Mr. Wilhelm Kittel, one of the original bead makers, was born in 1939 in Southern Germany . He was employed for many years at Joseph Krous & Sons, making Drücken beads ( push in German). In 1965 Mr. Kittel and his wife started their own firm. Ava first met Mr. Kittle in 1997. Mr. Kittel and his family instantly became her favorite people to visit in Germany . They would gather around the kitchen table, and while eating fresh-baked cakes and cookies, they would discuss what beads they would make. Mr. Kittel was a great joker and teaser and is the namesake for the term "Old Man Beads". We are saddened to say that Mr. Kittel has since passed away.

For years, each trip to Germany Ava Motherwell visited a 50-year-old button factory searching without reward for vintage stock. A few years ago, after giving up on the idea of finding vintage buttons, Ava went to the factory to place an order for newly made lampworked buttons. She spent a day with the family, while choosing styles and designs Ava showed her interest and knowledge. In the end they offered to sell Ava 20 years worth of overstocked buttons, which turned out to be a basement full. These hand pressed glass buttons were made anywhere from 1950 to 1970. Many of them are hand painted or glazed with gold luster. KnopfenSTRASSE translates to "Button up Street".