White is the New Green

Outside my window this mid April morning, the ground is white again and the trees are still bare. The idea that our Kentucky back yard would have already seen daffodils come and go seems a world away. I believe that leaf beads must have been made for Minnesotan beaders. An escape after a long winter to create with something green despite mother nature.

Snow in April is very new and exciting to me, but since I know I am in the minority of people enjoying this weather, this week's hero celebrates the spring that many of you are already experiencing and a few of you are waiting for.

 Leafy fringe is a great way to whip up a quick simple pair of earrings with minimal materials.

What does your spring look like (outside your window and inside your imagination)?

Bead Hero of the Week

It snowed here in Minneapolis last night and is supposed to continue through today and tonight until we have 3 - 8 inches (apparently snow fall is difficult to predict). It is beautiful and white, and as someone who has never lived anywhere that snow stayed piled high on the ground for the duration of winter, let alone snow in April, I am loving it. The natives however seem to tire of it and are looking forward to a few green leaves. For them I chose our bead hero this week.

These lovely green leaf beads are a staple for many spring jewelry and art projects. I have not passed through a spring where I have not used these somewhere in a bead project and this spring is to be no different, even with the snow on the ground and not a leaf in sight (except in the aisles at the home improvement store I work for).

 How about you, what beads does spring compel you to use in your projects?

 Let us know in the comments below and check back with us on Friday for a leafy project that will give Minnesotans hope for spring.