Ava Motherwell has been dealing in vintage German beads for many years. When rare shapes and colors in her Blue Heron vintage line began to sell out, Ava commissioned a family of glass bead makers in Germany to make new beads in vintage styles and, when possible, from vintage glass. 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), and in 1965 Mr. and Mrs. Kittel started their own firm.

Ava met Mr. Kittle in 1997, and he and his family became her favorite people to visit in Germany. Sitting around the kitchen table eating fresh-baked cakes and cookies, they would discuss what beads to make. Mr. Kittel had an amazing spirit, and is the namesake for the term "Old Man Beads". We are saddened to say that Mr. Kittel has since passed away.

Feel free to browse our Old Man product line. You can either call us with your order, or download an order form. Please note that the order form is in PDF format, which requires you have Adobe Acrobat Reader. You most likely already have this capability, but if not, download the reader here for FREE. Once your order is filled out, please mail or fax it to us.

The Whole Bead Shop® Post Office Box 1100 Nevada City, CA 95959 Phone: (800) 796-5350 Fax: (530) 265-2776 Email catalog@wholebead.com