Title: Rose Beads -- a Fragrant Craft Part 2
Categories: Herb Crafts
Yield: 1 Necklace

		See ingredients & special
		. tools needed in Part 1

** Continued from Part 1 **

** Drying **

Carefully slide the beads onto wires to dry. The wire should pierce the center of each bead. We use brass wires because brass doesn't rust. We place about ten beads on each 12-inch wire, making sure that the beads don't touch each other. Lay the wires across the empty box or Styrofoam tray so that the beads are suspended and do not touch the bottom of the container.

Keep the beads at room temperature and away from any drafts. If the beads dry too fast, they will crack; if it is cold or damp, they may mold. During the first week, turn the beads daily, sliding them back and forth a little on the wire to keep them from sticking. Leave the beads on the wires for another week or two, or until they are completely dry. Remove the dry beads from the wires and store them in tightly covered glass jars, which help retain their perfume until you're ready to string them. After removing a batch of rose beads, we sand the wires with fine sandpaper to smooth them in preparation for the next batch.

** Finishing **

We string our beads on double strands of unwaxed dental floss. Our necklaces are about 28 inches long, but they can be any length that suits you, with or without a fastener (available at bead and jewelry stores). We usually add other beads to the strands in regular patterns. We make some of our rose beads into earrings; findings for both screw-on and pierced styles are available at bead and jewelry stores. Pendants, bracelets and pins are other possibilities.

Each finished necklace is packed in a small glass jar that has a small piece of cotton glued to the lid. A drop of rose essence placed on the cotton keeps the rose beads fragrant and can be renewed as needed.

For more information about rose beads or to purchase one of its rose-bead necklaces, contact the Herb Society of America - Potomac Unit, PO Box 1055 Springfield, Virginia 22151. You may contact the Herb Society of America, 9019 Kirtland - Chardon Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094, to find out about a group near you. ** The Herb Companion -- Jun/Jul 96 **

Scanned and formatted for you by The WEE Scot -- paul macGregor

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