FRAGRANT HERBAL BEADS

      Title: FRAGRANT HERBAL BEADS
  Categories: Seasonings
       Yield: 1 Recipe
  
     1/2 c  Herb leaves or flowers
            -- fresh or dried
            Water
            -- if using dried material
            All-purpose flour
      15 dr Essential oil
            -- to match or complement
            -- the herb
  
   Strip off leaves or petals and discard stems and other coarse or
   nonaromatic parts.  Puree fresh plant material in a food processor,
   blender, or old-fashioned meat grinder. A food processor breaks down
   herbs faster than any other method and can be used to finish blending
   the dough as well.  You can finely mince the herbs with a sharp knife
   instead, but the finished beads will be coarser than those made from
   a puree or powder. Process dried herb leaves or flower petals in a
   blender or spice mill, or rub the leaves across the bottom of a
   fine-mesh sieve until you have a fairly uniform powder.  Unless plant
   material is processed into a fine powder or smooth pulp, coarse beads
   will result.
   
   Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of flour to the plant material, and enough
   water, starting with 1 tablespoon (if using dried herbs), to make a
   smooth dough. These are approximate amounts; you'll need more flour
   if you're starting with a soupy puree, and more water if the herb
   powder is very dry. When blended, the dough should be the consistency
   of children's craft clay. If it seems too soft, add flour in small
   amounts to improve it; if too stiff, ad a little water; if too coarse
   or crumbly, try adding both flour and water until the dough is
   workable. Don't add essential oil yet; it evaporates too quickly
   during the blending.
   
   Pinch off bits of dough and roll them into beads between your palms,
   or roll a long "snake" (this always brings back memories of my
   childhood) and slice off uniform lengths, then shape them into beads.
   Work with a light touch and keep your hands clean to prevent the
   dough from sticking to them. Essential oil can be added at this
   point, or after the beads are dry. When sizing the beads, remember
   that they will shrink a bit as they dry.
   
   String the beads using a large darning needle and heavy carpet thread.
   Leave at least 6 inches of thread bare to allow room for sliding the
   beads as they dry. Tie a big knot or a button at the end to keep the
   beads from sliding off.
   
   Hang strings of beads to dry in a warm, airy place away from direct
   light and heat.  Drying take three to four days, depending on weather
   and bead size.  Slide the beads up and down the string periodically
   to keep them from sticking to the string or each other.  Store dried
   beads in an airtight container to preserve their scent until you're
   ready to assemble a necklace. String the beads with beading thread or
   dental floss for strength and durability.
   
   * Source: Kate Carter Frederick in "The Herb Companion" (Feb/Mar'93) *
   Typed for you by Karen Mintzias
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