Pine Needles Beads

Like the paper beads, I am making a bead from a pine needle. I'm caning a mini chair and thought that a circle of beads would be ideal for the holes that are needed around the chair.

Of course, I needed to purchase some beads, and I didn't make time to do so, and thought of ways to use something I had around the house. I thought about cutting a cocktail straw into tiny pieces and using it, but meanwhile, I had a random memory of a rolled paper bead.

My brain inserted a pine needle into that thought.

I'm actually trying to create a miniature caned chair. The process is quite time consuming.

Originally I pondered about threading my pine needles into a series of small beads. That means that I would have to design a contraption. I'm no stranger to contraptions, but while musing about beads, I remembered a neighbor who used to spend her hours turning church bulletin covers into paper beads. I think she used a paper shredder to produce the strips she needed.

Pine needles are already in the shape I need.

If you know anything at all about caning, you are aware that it looks like a complex, integrated weaving process. Well. It is.

Now, with pine needles, I think I can incorporate a few techniques to merge a few steps. I have chairs that I plan to add caning to

First I need a jig to create my warp. Then, I will need to cross hatch them, eventually creating a criss cross entertained pattern. My first warp attempt seemed successful.

Then, I need a holder to assemble. Then a compressing. Then merging with a chair.

I think it will take about 30 beads per layer. Maybe not. There should be seven layers by the time I'm done. I think.