[Herbalist] Rose Beads

[DianaFiona@aol.com]

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In a message dated 12/07/02 8:24:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
anderliz at yahoo.com writes:


>
> A note of warning - after the reaction with the iron
> the mash will stain cloth.  Also the mash can be
> frozen, for those who don't have time to roll the
> beads after cooking the mash. This recipie is
> virtually the same that was published in the Herb
> Companion several years ago, it worked well when I
> tried it.
> Elizabet
>
 Hi, dear! Didn't know you you were on this list too.......... :-)

       I've also done this for shorter times--just one day, as I recall--and
that also worked fine. But my favorite method is till the way-out-of-period
version that I got--also from Herb Companion--years ago:
       Grind dried rose petals as finely as possible, add a bit of flour,
etc., as a binder (Gum arabic is probably a better choice, and I'll try that
in my next batch now that I've found some), then add liquid (Rosewater, if
you have it!) to make a thick paste. I usually add rose scented oil, too--my
most prolific roses are nearly scentless and the amount of damasks I have
just can't scent the whole batch enough. Roll the paste into balls at least a
fourth bigger than you want in the end (To allow for shrinkage) and pierce
with a tapestry needle or small skewer. You'll need to reshape them a bit
after piercing, as a rule. Set them on a tray to dry, turning often. Leaving
a small fan directed on them helps speed things up, as does putting them on a
string and hanging them (Horizontally!) up after they have firmed up enough
to take the handling. When dry, rub with rose oil to seal and scent. Add more
oil whenever the scent fades. (I often mix the rose scented oil with mineral
oil to cut the scent a little--it can set off my allergies if it's full
strength)
       I like this method because you can used dried petals, rather than
fresh, and because this leaves you with dark red beads, which I like better
than black ones. (However, if you use a really well seasoned iron pan to cook
the ground petals, they won't necessarily turn completely black, I
found......... ;-) ) I never seem to have time to make beads when the roses
are in bloom--and with this method you can make beads from purchased dried
petals, even if you don't have rosebushes yourself. Just don't enter them in
an A&S competition! (G)
       Oh, yes--and you can use the same method to make spice beads, or herb
beads, as well. Lavender doesn't work well, though, unfortunately--when
ground it is too fluffy and fiberous to hold together well. If you have fresh
flowers they might be worth trying, but I can't seem to get lavender to grow
well here....... :-(

                         Diana, who really needs to make another set of beads
soon........