Sometimes when I wake up in the morning, I'm not sure what country I'm in. I blink and I try to make out whether I'm in a hotel room or home in my own bed.

But no matter where I am, there are always beads in my shopping bag.

Beautiful old Venetian trade beads.

Favorite vintage glass beads from Sudan.

Incredible antique glass beads from Mali.

Huge gorgeous old Venezia glass beads from Dogonland.

Enormous bone beads from Kenya. Light wood black and silver Tuareg prayer beads.

So lovely antique white and turquoise glass beads from Mali.

Intricate hooks I designed and had handmade to hang my beads (and everything else) on. Inspired by Ethiopia.

PS I've just arrived in Cairo and tomorrow I hit the road. Follow my adventures on Twitter here.

PPS Gorgeous new stock of Moroccan Beni Ourain carpets and sequined wedding blankets for sale. Take a peek right here.