More beads for the ones who live at Frog Hollow. . . .

In the event ~~

This is what we got. Nor am I unhappy. The other already is higher than what I paid for this (and has two more days to go), and it would have made two very skimpy bases. This will make a generous four.

Well, now that we've gotten to the bases for the trees,

It seems to be like this: the base, as much as any other part of the tree seems to need to be related to the spirit, theme, of the tree. Hence the above piece of wood, cut suitably to capitalize on its "nebula-ness" (and nebula mirrors what goes on at the atomic level in my mind) is for the daughter-in-law-who-is-an-atomic-physicist's tree. . . . My grandson Tonio's tree needs a base from some African wood. The granddaughters, both, I think would be perfect for a sassafras base. Someone I adore has a spiritual connection with redwoods, so -- you can see where this is going, eh?

Finding the right wood/base is problematical, however. For instance, that piece pictured above is in an auction, and there is no guarantee that I'll get it, though I *am* going to try my dangest. . . .

Da trees, da trees. . . .

BEFORE



AND AFTER (EARLY AFTER -- STILL A WAYS TO GO. . . . )

This is the replacement nebula bead

Signal failure. . . .

As a general rule, boro beads look best under natural light, preferably on a bright day. Indoors, the beads can look a bit dark and dull, muffling the vivid colors and designs used. When shopping for boro beads, you may want to consider this. If you can, take the beads into the light of a window or outdoors, if the shopkeeper will let you, to see what they look like under natural light, as you might be surprised by the richness of the colors.

Have to say, don't buy these beads on line. They photograph wonderfully well, but you are going to be deeply heartbroken when they arrive. These were going to be the *heart* of the tree, around which everything else would revolve. In person, in even very bright indoor light, they simply look mottled brown. I did take them out into the *real* light, and they look like small versions of the picture. However: does one want beads/jewelery/ornaments that *only* look good outside? (BTW, I have full spectrum indoor lighting, and it doesn't make any difference. . . . )

Among the things that came today, were these:

They're for the base of Sammy's tree. Which I think is going to be a dark blue.

She already has a *whole lot* of these. . . .