I recently went to a bead show in the Boston area and saw some of my favorite venders, like Funky Stuff (sorry, no website). They describe what they sell as an international selection of beads, jewelry, artifacts & oddities. I’ve bought interesting things from them over the past few years, including some bone beads and pendants. These bone filigree shapes show up in several illustrations from Pocketful of Posies.
They add an accent, without overwhelming the picture. This is a detail from the rhyme One, two, buckle my shoe.
detail from "Pocketful of Posies" 2010
And this is from The cock crows in the morn, to tell us to rise….
detail from "Pocketful of Posies" 2010
They had a strings of these bone beads hanging on the wall.
I used some 1 inch long bone tube beads in this clock from Hickory, Dickory Dock. The fabric covered rectangle is a belt buckle and the round clock is a curtain ring.
detail from "Pocketful of Posies" 2010
It’s tempting to buy all kinds of wonderful beads and objects, not really knowing how they will be used, if ever.
I bought these glass beads from a Czech couple who import from home. I’m always on the lookout for leaves, but don’t have any immediate plans for these. The polka dot red ones look like they would make a perfect necktie for some extroverted little character.
SALLEY MAVOR 
I’ve never seen the polka dot leaves before-those are very cool and would make a wonderful necktie!
I love seeing these beads, and they sure make one’s imagination go wild! I will again look through my various Salley Mavor books to find how often you used these wonderful embellishments…and then look forward to seeing more in your next publications. Your use of “found objects” reminds me of Joan Steiner’s work. She creates amazing scenes using all kinds of household items. Are you familiar with her work? Her “General Store” image (and jigsaw puzzle of the same) is incredible. I used her books often, when teaching second grade, to foster the use of observation skills, along with being “early inventors” and creative thinkers. That is what your work does for me, since “it is never too late to have a happy childhood”. Blessings and gratitude to you for all you share and do! 😉
No stranger to beading here. I also use them and have been to many shows. My daughter is a jewelry designer and she lets me tag along to wholesale shows. It is so wonderful to walk into a sea of beads..and so tempting! (Drooling over those cinnabar beads.)
Thank you for the close-ups of the beads in your work. You have used them so creatively and also so appropriately. They blend so well with your work that I even forgot you used beads. That is an amazing balance introducing these kinds of things against the softness and color palette of felt.
Meanwhile, the mice and clock just make me smile. That clock is brilliant and those mice are so CUTE. Your use of found objects is extraordinarily good!
The 2 most dangerous words in English – BEAD SHOW!!
I am a beadaholic.
I thoroughly enjoy finding how you’ve used your stash in your wonderful pictures.
You certainly have an eye for unusual beads for your work. Your pictures are so beautifully enhanced by these found items!!! Isn’t it wonderfully exciting to find new, interesting pieces for a project? I love the hunt!!!!
Oooh I love those bone beads. I too attend at least 2 bead shows a year here in the UK…I always spend far to much money but you can pick up some very different beads there. The way you have used your bead in your stitching is ingenious!
Jane
Beautiful beads, and in your hands they turn into something new.
Dear Sally, Please advise me where I might find and purchase some of these bone beads and buttons…I sure could use them as some of my design elements for a special narrative quilt I am creating to honor the Rawanda survivors of the needless genocide. Thank you for any of your help you can offer. Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
I am addicted to beads and LOVE going to bead shows. Will you be going to the Big E show in West Springfield in August? I save up all year long for that one! Have a great weekend!
So beautiful! I like your works so much and love to see what is hidden behind the Great Magic.(sorry for my English)