MARY MAKES "VIOLET" AND "ROSE LEAF" BEADS.
"Aunt Sarah," exclaimed Mary one day, "you promised to tell me exactly
how you made those 'Rose Beads' you have."
"Yes, my dear, and you must make the beads before the June roses are
gone. The process is very simple. If you would have them very sweet,
get the petals of the most fragrant roses. I used petals of the
old-fashioned, pink 'hundred leaf' and 'blush roses.' Gather a
quantity, for you will need them all. Grind them to a pulp in the food
chopper, repeat several times and place the pulp and juice into an
_iron_ kettle or pan. This turns the pulp black, which nothing but an
iron kettle will do; cook, and when the consistency of dough it is
ready to mold into beads. Take a bit of the dough, again as large as
the size you wish your beads to be when finished, as they shrink in
size when dried, and make them of uniform size, or larger ones for the
centre of the necklace, as you prefer. Roll in the palms of your
hands, until perfectly round, stick a pin through each bead, then
stick the pins into a bake board. Be careful the bead does not touch
the board, as that would spoil its shape. Allow the beads to remain
until perfectly dry. If they are to have a dull finish, leave as they
are. If you wish to polish them, take a tiny piece of vaseline on the
palm of the hand and rub them between the palms until the vaseline is
absorbed. Then string them on a linen thread. Keep in a closed box to
preserve their fragrance. Those I showed you, Mary, I made many years
ago, and the scent of the roses clings 'round them still.'"
"Did you know, Mary, that beads may be made from the petals of the
common wild blue violet in exactly the same manner as they are made
from rose leaves?"
"No, indeed, but I don't think the making of beads from the petals of
roses and violets as wonderful as the beads which you raise in the
garden. Those shiny, pearl-like seeds or beads of silvery-gray, called
'Job's Tears,' which grow on a stalk resembling growing corn; and to
think Professor Schmidt raised those which Elizabeth strung on linen
thread, alternately with beads, for a portiere in their sitting-room."
"Yes, my dear, the beads must be pierced before they become hard;
later they should be polished. Did you ever see them grow, Mary? The
beads or 'tears' grow on a stalk about fifteen inches high and from
the bead or 'tear' grows a tiny, green spear resembling oats. They are
odd and with very little care may he grown in a small garden."
"They certainly are a curiosity," said Mary.