How It All Began
Several years ago, my mother came to live with my family because she was no longer able to take care of herself. She told the story of how she and her mother gathered wild roses from the ditches. Grandmother processed the petals, rolled them into beads and made the beads into jewelry to wear to church. This was during the depression when there was barely food for the table let alone money for jewelry.
Mother had told me that grandmother made the beads while she was still living at home; therefore, I am estimating the beads are approximately seventy-five years to eighty years old.
Using Grandma's process as explained by mother but wishing to recreate the original color of the roses, I started trying different methods of making beads from rose petals. The results are as you see on the following page.
The beads are guaranteed for life. The additional beads from your roses can be purchased for: 5-6mm $1, 7-9 mm $2, and 10-12mm $3 dollars each. So if you want jewelry made in the future, you have your beads from which to use.
Your roses will last your lifetime, your children’s and theirs as well. They truly become a family heirloom. Take care of them as you would any other fine piece of jewelry; that is, handle them with care and do not wear them in water, put them away safely and polish the separator beads and chain when necessary.
If you are visiting the Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, come by the Great Smoky Mountain Flea Market at Exit 407 to Booth J36 and see the beads up close and the different designs.
