dagger bead bracelet

Some years ago I saw a magnificent necklace made with dagger bead crochet.  I tried to learn bead crochet, but was unsuccessful with anything smaller than pony beads.  Then I saw a patttern in Bead and Button magazine with peyote stitch.  This I can do.  The photo is not as gorgeous as the bracelet, but it was so much fun to make and wear.  I have a meeting in Prague this November.  The bead factory, Presiosa Ornel in nothern Bohemia, in that famous valley for Czech bead making is just a bus ride away.  Yay!  Roadtrip! 

just for the birds

A couple of places in the yard are home to clusters of plants in the Arum family - arrow shaped leaves that die back in early summer, leaving the flower spikes to grow the seeds to maturity.  I was sitting quietly on the porch yesterday when I realized there was more blue jay squawking and mocking bird rasping that usual.  I watched the territorial displays and tried to determine if there were chicks involved.  After some time I realized the birds were gathering red berries, and then realized the disputes seemed to be over the cluster of berries next to the house.  I think they were all getting buzzed from the berries!