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Nik Ramages "Fingers," shown in Putty White, are now on preorder for $740.

As an obsessive-compulsive gum chewer, I never thought to make art of my annoying habit like mechanical sculptorNik Ramagehas done. He built a mechanical copy of his hand, which drums its fingers without cessation. Anyone imagining a use for this thing?

Based onDezeens description, this little motorized, battery-operated gadget is either a pure annoyance or maybe, depending on your imagination, something more useful:

Fingers by Nik Ramage are an eternally tapping mechanical copy of the artists own hand. At the flick of a switch the resin cast fingers drum rhythmically, until switched off.

Ramages piece is currently on display at100% Design London, and is being batch-produced by U.K. kinetic manucturer Laikingland in three colors–Putty White, Masking Tape, and Light Blue–for shipping in November. Whats next? A foot-tapping gadget? Something to say, Ummm, like…you know… every few moments?

This story originally appeared onGizmodo.

Worlds largest passenger plane may be unsafe, some saySome aircraft engineers in Australia are concerned about small cracks that have appeared on the wing ribs of some Airbus A380 airplanes, a report says. Theyre calling for the whole fleet to be grounded, but Airbus says the cracks are harmless.

Geek Gestalt

Apple sued for allegedly selling copy-protected books, report saysA group of Chinese authors say theyve been asking Apple to take the books down, but the company hasnt done so yet.

The Digital Home

An inside look at the testing of Windows Phone 7In part three of a behind-the-scenes look at the development of Microsofts new phone software, Ina Fried takes a look at Redmonds massive testing operation.

Beyond Binary

Kindle Fire sales were on fire last quarter, analyst saysBarclays analyst Anthony DiClemente says Amazon could have sold as many as 5.5 million Kindle Fire tablets last quarter, up from the 4.5 million he initially forecast.

The Digital Home

roundupThe Stop Online Piracy Act is intended to target rogue Web sites Comments 196, but critics say itll knock the stuffing out of legitimate sites as well.

Digital Media

More tablets, PCs, and TVs to adopt AMOLED displaysAs improvements unfold, AMOLED technology is expected to find its way onto more, and bigger, devices starting this year, says NPD DisplaySearch.

Business Tech

Microsoft Office document editor CloudOn returns to iPadAfter being removed from Apples App Store last week, CloudOn, which lets you create MS Office documents in the cloud, is once again available for iPad users.

Digital Media

Tesla to reveal Model X electric SUV on February 9Teslas third car, which the company confirmed will be a seven-seat electric SUV, will make itsresin arts crafts first public appearance on February 9 at Teslas new Southern California design cility.

The Car Tech blog

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The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to:crave@cnet.com

&187;•Google•Syria•iPhone•HTC•Nigeria•Libya•Pakistan•more topics

Philippine disaster officials say at least three people have been killed in a flash flood as a late season tropical storm blew through the southern Mindanao region.Zamboanga del Norte provincial disaster officer Dennis Tenorio said Friday that an 80-yea3r-old woman drowned in the flooded first floor of her home on the banks of the swollen Dipolog river in Polanco township early Thursday. He says a 30-year-old man and an 8-year-old boy also drowned.Weather bureau spokeswoman Venus Valdemoro says Tropical Storm Washi made landll at 2:30 p.m. (06:30 GMT) Friday in Davao Oriental provinces Banganga township, about 625 miles (1 jewelry carrTheSpec,000 kilometers) southeast of Manila.Back-to-back typhoons in September left more than 100 people dead.

Until 2pm for the funeral of New York Police Officer Peter Figoski…In addition, Deer Park Avenue will be closed southbound from Park Avenue to Montauk Highway. Expect many of the roads surrounding St Joseph?s Church on North Carll Avenue to be closed including Trolley Line Road and Locust Avenue.

In BABYLON closed due to major event on MONTAUK HIGHWAY/RT-27A BOTH EB/WB between RT-109/LITTLE EAST NECK RD and DEER PARK AVE/FIRE ISLAND AVE

Until 2pm for the funeral of New York Police Officer Peter Figoski…In addition, Deer Park Avenue will be closed southbound from Park Avenue to Montauk Highway. Expect many of the roads surrounding St Joseph?s Church on North Carll Avenue to be closed including Trolley Line Road and Locust Avenue.

In BABYLON closed on MONTAUK HIGHWAY/RT-27A WB between DEER PARK AVE/FIRE ISLAND AVE and RT-109/LITTLE EAST NECK RD. Slow traffic from CR-82/HIGBIE LN in WEST ISLIP

Until 2pm for the funeral of New York Police Officer Peter Figoski…In addition, Deer Park Avenue will be closed southbound from Park Avenue to Montauk Highway. Expect many of the roads surrounding St Joseph?s Church on North Carll Avenue to be closed including Trolley Line Road and Locust Avenue.

In BABYLON closed on MONTAUK HIGHWAY/RT-27A EB between RT-109/LITTLE EAST NECK RD and DEER PARK AVE/FIRE ISLAND AVE. Slow traffic from GREAT EAST NECK RD in SUFFOLK

In SMITHTOWN construction work on RT-347/NESCONSET HWY WB between RT-111/HAUPPAUGE RD and RT-454/VETERANS MEMORIAL HWY in HAUPPAUGE

Originally published: December 19,Keep it in Cranston: The Bead Store and More. 2011 5:02 AM

Updated: December 19, 2011 12:12 PM

ByHAMZA HENDAWI (Associated Press)

Erik Gliedman/Times Herald-Record photosYou can make miniature snow globes to bring a little winter cheer to your wardrobe or to give as a gift. They are definitely a handmade hit with ladies of all ages.

Published: 2:00 AM – 12/08/11

Last updated: 11:26 AM – 12/08/11Snow globes are a great gift. Theyve been around since the late 1800s, so no one can deny they have a magical quality. But what makes a snow globe so hypnotizing? Is it because a detailed little village or figure comes to life when a flurry of tiny glitter erupts into a blizzard with a little shake of the globe? Watching those snowflakes ll seems to awaken nostalgia and freezes a moment in time.

After seeing a pair of snow globe earrings in a magazine, I visited the magazines website for a quick purchase. Then I read the bad reviews. These earrings werent globes at all &8212; they were flat iridescent circles with snowmen and snowflakes painted on them. How boring! So I decided to challenge myself and came up with a solution. These snow globes are stylish and small enough for all ages to wear. They look so much like the ones you put on your desk.

Three-way jewelry pliers; frosted or iridescent white bead; head pin with loop at the bottom; small flat bead; earring hooks or bail and a chain; small bag of Air-Dry white clay; filigree bead cap; glitter paint; glass paint or regular acrylic paint; paintbrushes; plate; sewing needle or seam ripper

Decide if you are using a bead cap or your own clay bead for the base of the snow globe. If you are using a bead cap, turn it upside down so that the fluted side is on the bottom and the narrow portion is on top. Now, place your bead on a toothpick, sewing needle or seam ripper. Paint it either with glitter paint for the snow craft suppliCraftermost Fexpose crowningeriod to goodness batc, or paint a little scene on the bead. Allow to dry overnight, sitting on the needle. Slide the headpin through a small flat circular bead, then put the bead cap on over it. After the globe is dry, slide it above the bead cap. Close the pin by a loop. Put the bail on or attach the earring findings with the pliers. You may need to use your cutting pliers to shorten the head pin.

To make a clay bead as the base, shape the clay with your hands. Stick the head pin in the clay while its still pliable (you can add a drop of water to the clay if it should dry too quickly). Allow the bead to dry on the head pin overnight. Paint the next day, and, after the bead is dry, add the snow globe bead and follow directions above for the findings.

for more information. We ask that you report content that you in good ith believe violates the above rulejewelry making beadss by clicking the Flag link next to the offending comment. New comments are only accepted for two weeks from the date of publication.

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Barbara Lockert adjusts an ornament on one of her custom-designed trees, decorated with jewelry items. Photo byKatie Scarvey,glass jewelrIn the Biz: Malika Interneational Gift Sjumping ag. Salisbury Post.Buy a print

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Barbara Lockert makes one-of-a-kind tabletop trees repurposing odds and ends of jewelry, much of which has sentimental value. Photo byKatie Scarvey, Salisbury Post.Buy a print

This Navy pin on one of Barbara Lockerts one-of-a-kind Christmas trees used to belong to her ther. Photo byKatie Scarvey, Salisbury Post.Buy a print

This fork pin was given to Barbara Lockert by a childhood boyfriend â and now it graces one of her one-of-a-kind Christmas trees. Photo byKatie Scarvey, Salisbury Post.Buy a print

This piece of jewelry that tops one of Barbara Lockerts Christmas trees belonged to her grandmother. Photo byKatie Scarvey, Salisbury Post.Buy a print

Barbara Lockert creates one-of-a-kind Christmas trees using odds and ends of vintage jewelry. Photo byKatie Scarvey, Salisbury Post.Buy a print

Barbara Lockert creates one-of-a-kind Christmas trees using odds and ends of vintage jewelry. Photo byKatie Scarvey, Salisbury Post.Buy a print

This macrame owl earring was made by Barbara Lockerts mother and now graces one of her unique Christmas tree creations. Photo byKatie Scarvey, Salisbury Post.Buy a print

When Barbara Lockert’s neighbor and friend Lynn Fowler called to tell me about Barbara’s unique hand-crafted jewelry trees I just had to see for myself.

When I called Barbara, she acted like they weren’t any big deal, but I wanted to see them anyway.

I think it’s because I suspected that Barbara and I might be kindred spirits creatively. I’ve made some tree ornaments out of odd items over the years, like interesting toys and an old medallion of my mother’s from the 1960s.

Barbara takes odds and ends of jewelry and uses them to decorate one-of-a-kind little trees. A few of the trees are her personal treasures; others she gives away to mily members.

Barbara says she began this particular artistic pursuit 20 or 30 years ago. Inspired by mily members who had talent in painting, Barbara hit upon her own creative outlet.

Barbara is two trees right now that she’ll give away to her oldest granddaughters for Christmas.

When she started, she had the raw material on hand, things she’s saved for years — jewelry belonging to her mother and grandmother. Eventually, though, she began to seek out items, going to thrift stores and getting items donated by friends.

Barbara reminds me of the local artist John Morehead — who makes wonderful fish sculptures — in that she is a salvager, giving new life to items that might otherwise languish in attics or end up in the trash.

I’m looking for stuff no one else wants — a ring that’s broken, something that I can take apart, she says.

She loves real silver items, she says, but admits that polishing them isn’t much fun.

I was immediately drawn to a tiny silver fork perched near the top of one of Barbara’s trees — one of the trees she won’t give away.

That little fork pin, she says, was given to her when she was in second or third grade in Murfreesboro, Tenn., by a boy named Bobby Bass.

It is lovely.

She remembers that her mother, worried that she had received such a nice gift, approached Bobby’s mother about it, who reassured her that indeed, Bobby wanted to give Barbara this gift and it was absolutely fine with her.

I’ve kept it all these years, Barbara says.

There are other items that have sentimental value to Barbara, like her grandmother’s Eastern Star pin, which serves as the topper for one tree.

There’s an owl earring made of macrame, crafted by Barbara’s mother. An old friendship ring. Her ther’s Navy and Seabee pins.

One challenge Barbara ces is finding the right trees on which to display her carefully selected items. She needs plain trees with branches that flare out so ornaments will dangle.

Barbara uses thin copper wire and pliers to attach items to the tree, although some adornments don’t need to be wired on, she says.

Barbara says she once asked her bridge club members if they had any items to donate to her for her trees. People seemed interested, she says, until they saw her trees — which made them decide to hang on to their odds and ends so they could create their own jewelry trees.

It’s harder these days, she says, to find things in thrift stores, but she still loves to go searching when she can.

I tell Barbara that she has inspired me to tryjewelry making beads to make my own tree.

Do it! she says.

And I’m pretty sure I will. I have no shortage of material. I lose earrings with frightening regularity, and I hate throwing away the ones without mates. I imagine I have the raw material right now for two or three trees. If I could only find something beautiful to do with all those lonely socks.

Creative inspiration aside, the real gift was in meeting Barbara. We talked and laughed for almost two hours — only a third of it about the trees. We talked about things that don’t usually come up with somebody you’ve just met.

And so I was right, after all.

We are kindred spirits.

ContactKatie Scarveyat kscarvey@salisburypost.com

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Mourners overflowed the Temple Israel parking lot onto Coleytown Road for the funeral service of Yekutiel Zeevi on Sunday, December 11, 2011. Jeweler Zeevi was shot and killed at his Westport business on Thursday night.Photo: B.K. Angeletti/ Connecticut Post

Nava Zeevi, right, leaves Temple Israel with her son, Neer, after the funeral service of her husband, Yekutiel Zeevi, on Sunday, December 11, 2011. Jeweler Zeevi was shot and killed at his Westport business on Thursday night.Photo: B.K. Angeletti/ Connecticut Post

Mourners enter Temple Israel in Westport for the funeral service of Yekutiel Zeevi on Sunday, December 11, 2011. Jeweler Zeevi was shot and killed at his Westport business on Thursday night.Photo: B.K. Angeletti/ Connecticut Post

Mourners leave Temple Israel in Westport after the funeral service of Yekutiel Zeevi on Sunday, December 11, 2011. Jeweler Zeevi was shot and killed at his Westport business on Thursday night.Photo: B.K. Angeletti/ Connecticut Post

Looking skyward, Neer Zeevi spoke Sunday to his ther, Yekutiel.

A ther like my Abba — there is only one, he told his thers funeral service in Temple Israel. Abba, I look up to you. Coming to the United States from scratch, you worked hard and built a successful business and achieved the American dream.

As the owner of the Westport-basedY.Z. Jewelry Manucturing, Yekutiel Zeevi established himself as a respected jewelry maker. But his thers success, his son said, was not measured only through his commercial enterprise.Yekutiel Kuti Zeeviwas also an adoring ther and husband whose bear hugs could be felt days after his initial embrace.

In your large heart, you always found room for forgiveness, Neer Zeevi added. You had a way of others feel good about themselves.

Neer Zeevis tribute to his 65-year-old ther anchored the emotional funeral service attended by several hundred relatives, friends and area residents gathered to remember Yekutiel Zeevi, the longtime Westport and businessman tally shot Thursday night during an apparent robbery at his office in theCompo Shopping Center. Police are still searching for the assailant, who reportedly gained access to the Y.Z. Jewelry premises after presenting himself as a prospective client.

As of Sunday, police had reported no progress in tracking down Zeevis suspected killer, who has not been publicly identified.

How can one begin to make sense of the violence that took Kutis life? said Temple Israel RabbiRobert Orkand. We cant. So all we can do on this terrible day is hold each other and hug each other as Kuti would have done if he were here. He would have hugged each and every one of us.

In his eulogy, Orkand described Zeevi as an impassioned, magnanimous man who was bigger than life. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel and raised on a rm, Zeevi had exuded a dominating presence from an early age. His disciplinarian ther rebuked him with slaps, until a young Kuti grabbed his wrists and declared that such punishjewelry making beadsments were at an end, he said.

As a young man, Zeevi became a commando in the Israeli navy. Zeevis military service, Orkand said, reflected a man who lacked fear, but who also loved the company of his comrades.

While several speakers fought back tears, there were also light-hearted recollections of Zeevi during the service. Orkand recalled that after moving to the United States, Zeevi worked in horse stables and also groomed dogs, figuring that his earlier experience shearing sheep would help him to excel in the latter vocation.

That job lasted as long as it took to groom one poodle, who was returned to his owner with no hair glass jewelr, Orkand said, as laughter from attendees echoed through the sanctuary.

After starting S.Z. Jewelry Manucturing with partnerThomas Sarnoabout three decades ago (the name was changed after Sarnos death two years ago), Zeevi led a joyful life. The jewelry maker enjoyed food, dancing and singing. He would hug and kiss children, pet dogs and schmooze with anyone he encountered, Orkand said. He also forged a long career as a passionate recreational soccer player in Westport.

Kuti was always looking to pass to an open teammate, said longtime friendFred Cantor. It was an indication of his great generosity.

Speakers at the service also highlighted Zeevis close relationship with his wife, Nava. Her support for her husband was instrumental after their daughter, Tali, succumbed to leukemia in 2007.

With Navas love and support, he managed to rediscover the joy and passion that was so much a part of his personality, Orkand added.

In a few more days, Kuti Zeevi would have shared another joyous moment. Neer Zeevi and his wife, Liora, will soon welcome their first child, a boy, who would have also been Kuti Zeevis first grandchild.

After the service concluded, John Ripka andPeter Garcialingered a few minutes in the sanctuary to remember their friend, whom they had known for more than 25 years.

As gruff as he could be, thats as loving as he could be, Ripka said.

Garcia nodded in agreement.

He was a very loving person, he said.

A few yards away, Ripkas son, Greg, appeared pensive. Then, cracking a slight smile, he recalled buying his wifes engagement ring from Zeevi.

He let me walk out of there without paying for my engagement ring! he said. He let me come back and pay two weeks later.

Greg Ripka paused a moment before offering a final thought about Zeevi.

His word was his bond, he said. The sad thing is that someone took advantage of his trust to do this horrendous thing. Its a big loss.

Coming to the United States from scratch, you worked hard and built a successful business and achieved the American dream.Yekutiel Kuti Zeevi was also an adoring ther and husband whose bear hugs could be felt days after his initial embrace.Neer Zeevis tribute to his 65-year-old ther…

Stay up to date on all of Westports community events, high school sports and more in our Week in Photos slideshow!

Coming to the United States from scratch, you worked hard and built a successful business and achieved the American dream.Yekutiel…

FCIAC champion Staples ends its season at 11-1 after being beaten by Xavier in Saturdays championship game.

Our second stop in our Keep it in Cranston holiday shopping series is the Bead Store and More in Rolfe Square.

Donna Knight invites you to come into her shop, browse the abundant walls of jewelry or pick amongst the limitless choices of beads to create a masterpiece for a loved one hanging jeweThe Smprowess Set, a mily member or a friend.

&13;Does your wife, girlfriend or mother have a great sense of style? Would she not be caught dead outside wearing sweat pants or clothing with tacky words on her derriere? Casually ask her if shes heard of Betsey Johnson, and if her eyes light up, the Bead Store and More is your store.

&13;Along with hundreds of Betsey Johnson vintage dresses, jackets, tops and bottoms, ranging from the svelte to the surreal, the Bead Store and More has hundreds of items that will tickle the ncy of women with the most discerning sense of style.

&13;Knight will help you create the perfect necklace or bracelet. She also offers classes for people interested in learning the art of beading and jewelery . Work with glass, metal, wire, pearls and stone. Wow your wife with a one-of-a-kind piece that speaks: I love you.

&13;The Bead Store and More opened in Rolfe Square recently, moving from a relatively obscure storefront on Pontiac Avenue. Now, the store fronts the historic Rolfe Square shopping district and compliments nearby jewelry making beadsshops.

&13;Knight has decades of experience in the shion and design industry and has worked with some of the worlds top designers. Consider her a valuable local resource for shion tips, information and education. At the Bead Store and More, youll get a hands-on, personal shopping experience that cant be replicated at a major chain.

&13;Along with beads and custom designed jewelry, the shop offers classes, rentals of jewelry, pearls and tiaras and crowns.

&13;And with a reserve inventory consisting of Knights massive collection of vintage and clothing and jewelry slowly its way out of storage and into the store, you never know what youll find.

&13;Store hours: Monday, 12 to 6 p.m.; Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

&13;The shop is located at 44 Rolfe St.

Related Topics:Bead Store,Christmas 2011,Donna Knight,Holiday Guide 2011,Keep It Local, andRolfe Square

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Pensacola Blue Wahoos will have former Major League Baseball manager Jim Riggleman as their manager…

One look at The Little Red Barn Bakery, Cafe, & Gifts, 4474 Woodbine Road, Unit 1, in Pace, and you…

Pancake Breakst: 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. today. Sponsored by the Independence for the Blind of West Florida and the Pensacola Lions Club. Cost: $5. Independence For the Blind, 3107 N. Davis Highway. Details: Glenn Barbee 492-9254 or visit ibwest.org.

Bark for Life A Canine Event to Fight Cancer: 8:30 a.m. registration; 9:30 a.m. walk begins, today. Registration: $20 per dog. Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 4701 School Lane, Pace. Details: 994-6213, emailkellys@mail.santarosa.k12.fl.usor visit

Emerald Coast Bead Society Holiday Show: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Annual holiday show with an assortment of beads, handcrafted jewelry and other items. Wright Place, First United Methodist Church, 80 E. Wright Street. Details: Mary Jordan 455-6109 or emailNona2kylie@att.net.

Panhandle Macintosh User Group: 9:30 a.m. today. Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. Details: 484-1000

West Florida Genealogical Society: 10 a.m. Saturday. Elizabeth Powell Crowe will speak on Whats New in Online Genealogy? Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Asbury Place, 5725 N. Ninth Ave. Details: Cynthia Dean 432-7072 or emailcgdean@bellsouth.net

Gulf Breeze Annual Holiday Parade: 10 a.m. today. Details: Leslie Guyer 934-5100 or visit

Second Annual Festival of Trees: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. Tour the Santa Rosa Kids House and view the dozens of decorated trees and wreaths donated by local businesses, churches, civic organizations and individuals. Santa will be available for pictures. Christmas celebration and silent and live auctions of the decorated trees at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $5 for adults and free for children younger than 12. Christmas Celebration: $40. Santa Rosa Kids House, 5643 Stewart St., Milton. Details: 623-1112 or visit

Christmas In DeVilliers: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Collectible ornaments created by local artist. Gumbo Gallery, 314 N De Villiers St. Details: 602-5205 emailgumbogallery@yahoo.com

Repticon Pensacola Reptile & Exotic Animal Show: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $10 for adults; $5 for ages 5 through 12. Two-day VIP ticket: $12 for adults online; $15 at the door; $5 for ages 5 through 12. Both days are free for ages 4 and younger. Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 W. Mobile Highway. Details: Jason Vander Waal, 864-275-5823, emailjason@repticon.comor visit

Pictures With Santa: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Proceeds will be donated to Manna Food Bank. Joe Pattis Seafood Co, 524 South B St. Details: 432-3315.

The Old Antarctic Explorers Association, Gulf Coast Group Chapter: Noon today. Lennie Bouregois will present his revised Antarctic coin/medallion collection. The Shrimp Basket, 709 N. Navy Blvd. Details: Billy-Ace Penguin Baker 456-3556 or visit

Holiday Open House & Give a Hoot Supply Drive: Noon to 3:30 p.m. today . Activities will include cility tours, music from the Sweet Prospect Celtic Band and Michael DeMaria, food, games, childrens story time and a silent auction featuring work donated by artist Nina Fritz. Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, 105 North S St. Details: Dorothy Kaufmann 433-9453 or visit

Gulf Coast Bluegrass Music Association Monthly Concert and Jam: 5 p.m. doors, today. The concert will feature Big Bend Bluegrass at 6 p.m. and Cotton at 7 p.m. Cost: $5 for non-members; $3 for members. Pensacola State College Milton campus, 5988 U.S. 90, Milton. Details: Diane Bates, 623-3325.

Bayou Texar Christmas Boat Parade: 5:30 p.m. today. The East Hill Neighborhood Association presents its annual Bayou Texar Christmas Boat Parade. Details: Murray V. Turner, 206-2239 or emailMurray_turner@hotmail.com.

Winter White Christmas Show: 7 p.m., doors,BCLsorrellNews.com/Acrylic Jewe. today. The Winter White Christmas Show features the Best Band in the Emerald Coast, Jones & Company, with emcee Connie Hendrix and music by DJ Cool Ice. Please bring a canned good for the food drive. Cost: $15 advance; $20 at the door; $25 VIP seating/table. Osceola Municipal Golf Course, 300 Tonawanda Drive. Details: 375-1425.

Messiah: 7:30 p.m. today. The Choral Society of Pensacola presents the holiday classic Handels Messiah. Cost: $18 reserved seating; $15 for general admission; $5 for students. There is a $2 discount per ticket on reserved or general admission tickets for groups of 10 or more. St. Paul Catholic Church, 3131 Hyde Park Road. Details: 484-1806 or visit

Simply Christmas: 7:30 p.m. today. The Gulf Coast Chorale presenbead supplyts Simply Christmas, a traditional and nostalgic program of holiday vorites that attendees can sing along to. Special guests will be the Guffman Trio, jazz group. Cost: $10; $5 for students; free for ages 10 and younger. St. Ann Catholic Church, 100 Daniel Drive, Gulf Breeze. Details: 932-2859 or visit

Holiday Handbell Concert: 7:30 p.m. today. Presented by Pensacola Christian College. Dale Horton Auditorium, Pensacola Christian College, 250 Brent Lane. Details: 478-8496 ext. 5243.

Birdie Real Bird holds a mans vest that she spent nine monthsbeading. She will teach a class on traditional Crow beading at theYellowstone Art Museum.

Birdie Real Bird will teach traditional Crow beading at adaylong workshop for adults from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at theYellowstone Art Museum. The class fee is $55 for members and $60for nonmembers. A supply list will be given to participants inadvance of the class. Space is limited. Register by calling themuseum at 256-6804.

Three horses with lightning bolts zigzagging down their flankscharge through a pale blue background. A rider on horseback wears afull headdress as he races across the other side of the buckskinvest. Stylized hoof prints are scattered across the fringed vest,which is trimmed in traditional Crow geometric patterns.

Birdie Real Bird spent nine months beading the Horse Tracksvest, but she denies that beading requires extraordinarypatience.

People who assume that it takes patience make beading soundlike its dull and boring, but its not, she said. She relishesthe creativity and the challenge of something out ofnothing.

Beading is something that is a part of you, she said. I dontwant it to be a task.

As a young teen, she learned to bead from her grandmother,Florence Real Bird.

You have to use your eyes and observe and figure things out,she said. My aunts and my mom, it seemed like all the women in mylife were beaders.

Real Bird, who is a member of the Big Lodge Clan and a child ofthe Whistling Water Clan, will teach a hands-on class for adults ontraditional Crow beading Saturday at the Yellowstone Art Museum.She is quick to point out that she is just one of many Crow tribalmembers who do fine beadwork.

For 31 years, Real Bird taught and was a school counselor withthe Hardin School District. Now retired, she lives in Garryowen,south of the Little Bighorn Battlefield. She continues to visitMontana classrooms to introduce schoolchildren to aspects of Crowculture.

During the daylong class at the museum, participants will workon a small project, such as embellishing a belt or denim shirt orpair of childrens moccasins. Shell show a few basic stitches,including the lazy stitch, spot stitch and lacing stitch.

While traditional Crow designs are primarily geometric, RealBird has also done florals and realistic figures. The Crowtraditionally used seven colors: red Have enjoyment getting a Toy Hobby, light blue, a pinkishlavender, yellow, green, navy blue and quite a bit of white.

Rarely do they use black.

Black means the end and death, she said.

She likes using a popular size 11 seed bead. Seed beads are moretraditional than the shinier cut beads.

I like to think I could bead like my ancestors, she said. Itry to make it look authentic and not as Boy Scouty.

When she travels, she looks for examples of Plains Indianbeadwork in museum collections. More than a decade ago, she spent aday, from morning until dark, scrutinizing Plains Indian beadworkat the Peabody Museum at Harvard University, a museum that containsone of the largest collections of cultural objects in the WesternHemisphere.

That kind of experience really touches me, she said. That wasmy ancestors work, and I really want to keep that going. It kindof makes me even more motivated to do that kind of work.

She also makes traditional Crow dolls, dressing them in the T-shaped cloth dresses stened with a leather belt at thewaist and high-top moccasins. It was the everyday dress style wornby her mother, Lucy Wallace Real Bird, who was born in 1917 anddied in 1998.

The way she dressed is just really precious to me, shesaid.

Although Real Bird participated in art shows and was invited todemonstrate her doll and beadwork at the first NationalFolklife Festival in Butte and a previous folklife festival inSeattle, she doesnt like to enter her beadwork incompetitions.

Its not a competitive thing. Its a healing thing for me. Itry to use it as something like that, instead of pushing my workand showing it off. Its too close to my heart, she said.

When she was growing up, she and her grandmother would sellbeadwork medallions to the wives of Bureau of Indian Afirs orIndian Health Service employees as a way to get gas money. Incollege, she made beaded necklaces and earrings. She still takesorders for beadwork to supplement her income. At the moment, she isworking on a custom buckskin dress, leggings and a belt for agraduating senior at Skyview High.

At her home, her beading table is always out, although latelyshe has had trouble keeping her inquisitive young grandchildrenaway from her work. When she travels, she takes her beadwork topass the time in motel rooms.

She usually starts her designs from the center.

Thats something in life, too, she said. You need acenter.

Posted inLocal,Top-headlinesonFriday, December 2, 2011 12:00 amTags:Yellowstone Art Museum,Birdie Real Bird,Garryowen,Florence Real Bird,Crow Beadwork

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Colourful crystal bead bracelets by Lucet Mundi.Lucet Mundi, one of the UK’s growing crystal bead bracelet brands, has joined The Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ) as it looks to increase its relations with jewellery retailers.

Willie Hamilton, chief executive of the CMJ said he has been impressed by Lucet Mundi’s dedication to jewellery retail. The brand wants to focus on only supplying jewellers, rather than speading its reach through clothing and gift shops.

Lucet Mundi’s strategy is to work closely with its retail partners and the CMJ can provide the right environment to do this. One of our key commitments to our retailers and approved suppliers is to work in partnership with them and we have a proven track record of helping to build brands with our partners, said Hamilton.

Hamilton has said that the distribution of crystal bead bracelets could be problematic for the individual brands, likening it to the bead phenomenon that has dominated jewellery retail in recent years.

Firstly, they need to build a brand because at the moment the distributors of crystal bead bracelets have a product, but there is no established brand name yet.

Identifying the right independents to work with and ensuring they are serviced correctly will be the second requirement. Thirdly, the invoicing and payment disciplines that will make or break any brand building initiative need to be in place. This is where Lucet Mundi has recognised the breadth and depth of support that the CMJ brings to a partnership.

We offer support, advice and trust to both our retail and supply partners. The winner in the crystal bead bracelet phenomenon will be the distributor that builds the best brand, with the best partners.

At present Lucet Mundi has more than 100 UK stockists. It was launched at IJL in September where its founder,Dust-counterbalanceed impactrustys?gift jewelry. Dov Getter, showcased its Power Bead collection of crystal bead bracelets, stud earrings and necklaces. Lucet Mundi also offers a number of different friendship bracelet lines.

Getter said: We are really positive about working with the CMJ and we are looking forward to building a successful relationship with the group and its members.

We recognise the importance of working with retail jewellers, and independents in particular, but we also want to build a true brand name, and our new partnership the CMJ is ideal for us in both these respects.

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