Do you have a favorite bead?

Do you have a favorite bead? One that you just want to look at and hold against the light and watch how it sparkles and shimmers? Well, it's hard for me to narrow my collection down to just one particular bead, but (for today anyway) I have one. I cannot get enough of these blue/teal Jablonex firepolish rondelle beads that I bought from Fire Mountain Gems. They are truly expensive looking with a gem-like quality.

When designing a new jewelry piece, I was tempted to string them into one long necklace and just roll them around in my fingers all day long but, I'm afraid their individual beauty would become lost. So, I went through my collection in search of other teal beads that would complement the rondelles.

Now, my beads are separated into boxes by colors. I have some beads in the teal-colored realm, but what are they really? Are they blue? Green? Apparently, I'm not very clear on the subject as I found a box of teal 6/0 Dynamite beads in my blue box and a container of teal-lined amber beads in my green box. I bought the teal-lined beads at Cloud Nine in Nags Head about a year ago and they have just been sitting ever since, waiting patiently for their opportunity.

I decided to use the Dynamites and teal-lined beads to make three beaded beads. I plan to combine them with the Jablonex rondelle beads and design a new bracelet. As soon as it's complete, I'll post the bracelet in "This week's featured jewelry" at Jewels of the OBX, www.jewelsoftheobx.com. What's exciting to me is the fact that there are plenty of the gorgeous rondelle beads (today's favorite!) still left for future projects! If only I could decide which color box to keep them in.

Take care!