As I was completing my next year's Beading For a Cure project, I was in a bit of a panic, because I still hadn't used the 6 mm bicone crystals. Rules are that you have to use at least 1 of every bead in the kit.

My friend Cynthia (who doesn't blog, but should, because she is an incredible beader -- are you listening Cynthia??!), sent me a YouTube link with Sherry Serafini demonstrating a cuff bracelet. Well, you know how this internet think works, right? One thing leads to another, to another, to another......and before I knew it, I had stumbled across a video showing how to make a beaded bead. A beaded bead out of bicone crystals! Perfect

Just what I needed for the tassel. At first I strung the seed beads right up to the beaded bicone bead (ooh, another tongue twister like the spring bling ring, lol), but it didn't look right. So I just added another bicone to the top half of the fringe and one before I started the bottom fringe, and it looked much better.

I've got the whole thing constructed and edged.
And just have the handle to finish and attach. I say 'just' like it's a 5 minute project-but we beaders know really what 'just' means - hours more to go......

Today, being the Saturday before Easter (what we always called Holy Saturday in my days of being a practicing Roman Catholic), we are off to our annual girls' day of breakfast, a trip to the Botanical Gardens

(2 of many many pictures taken last year)

and a visit to Our Lady of Victory Basilica.

An architectural masterpiece, no matter what your religious background.

Happy Easter! and hug your loved ones tight!