I am back from Birka!  It was a wonderful event, and it was lovely being able to spend it with good friends.

I got to meet my apprentice-sister Iulia (that’s us all gussied up on the right), geek a bit about beads and paternosters, and have a lot of fun.  I also received my awesome East Kingdom Artisanal Exchange item from Iulia – a wax tablet, which will get used a lot.

I also made a necklace for her, which I made out of carnelian, quartz, and garnet, with accent beads out of gold plated brass on brass wire, complete with handmade hook.

These materials were used by the Romans (Iulia has a 1st-2nd c Roman persona), and in similar cuts (especially the carnelian’s simple facets).  Best part is Magistra Iulia loves it!