| Most people think of beaded ornaments as small | | | | those ornaments...it took me forever to get the |
| tiny beads that drape over a ball ornament. My | | | | first bell ornament completed. There was no one |
| grandmother made Christmas ornaments that | | | | to teach me and I was about to give up after |
| used beads, thread, wire and safety pins to | | | | the first three tries, but then I decided that if she |
| create the ornament. They created an object and | | | | could do it at the age of 80, I could do it! It took |
| you could tell what it was by looking at it. Some | | | | me four hours to complete that Christmas |
| Christmas ornaments didn't have a definite shape, | | | | ornament. Now I can do one in 35 minutes. Most |
| but they went together to form a beautiful | | | | of my other ornaments only take about 20 |
| ornament. Each year we looked forward to the | | | | minutes or less to make. But they are something |
| season when we could pick out one of her latest | | | | that can be given and will last forever. |
| designs. We were limited to one or two depending | | | | I have added many different designs to my |
| on how many she made of a particular design. | | | | Christmas ornaments collection, but have been |
| She would repeat designs, but did them in | | | | unable to reproduce some of her more intricate |
| different colors, It was very difficult to try and | | | | designs. Everyone still looks forward to each |
| choose as they were all beautiful. | | | | Christmas season to see what new ornaments I |
| When she passed away, there was no one to | | | | have found. I try to find new patterns each year, |
| carry on the tradition. Being crafty helps, but it | | | | but it is very difficult as not many people use |
| was frustrating trying to learn how to make | | | | beads to create an ornament. |