Beading Resources - Beading is an art from throughout the ages:

Beading is a craft that can be broken into slowly and built upon as experience grows. Beading craft is considered an economical craft work. Beading is an art from throughout the ages which has been passed on from one generation to the next. Beading is a hobby, craft and an art form. Beading is an ancient craft. Beading is the new do-it-yourself excitement for creative grown-ups. Besides being one of the most fulfilling and flexible crafts around, beads and beading is also one of the easiest crafts to get started with. -

World ponders rebuilding biggest Buddhas / Some ask whether Afghanistan's 1,500-year-old crumbled relics could or (San Francisco Chronicle)
The empty niches that once held Bamiyan's colossal Buddhas now gape in the rock face -- a silent cry at the terrible destruction wrought on this fabled valley and its 1,500-year-old treasures, once the largest standing Buddha statues in the world. In...

Twiddle me this: Hand warmers for comfort, therapy (Lake County News Sun)
A Naperville resident has created TwiddleMuff, a fuzzy muff that holds therapeutic accessories such as a stress ball, a strand of ribbons and wooden beads. Margaret Light has formed her own company to sell her creation, just the thing for keeping hands warm and active.

Hangtime (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune)
Shiny hot pink and red bangles, 6 feet for $12. Pier 1, several Minnesota locations; storefinder at www.pier1.com. • Jewels on a string, 6 feet for $7.49. Jo-Ann Stores, several Minnesota locations; storefinder at www.joann.com. • Translucent and silver bead garland, 9 feet for $3.50. Gertens, 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights, 651-450-1501; www.gertens.com. • Brown jewels, copper beads, red

Necklace puts you in touch with inner Betty (Reno Gazette-Journal)
The TV set is a crafter's best friend when it comes to those marathon painting or knitting sessions during the holiday season. But there's one weekly prime-time show that I love so much, I ditch the crafts altogether.

Business Briefs (Independent)
Neves Jewelers, Aberdeen, announced the addition of Jennifer Neves, Gemological Institute of America (GIA), to its staff. Neves is an owner, designer and stylist at the establishment. Neves works primarily with diamonds as well as silver, beads, precious stones, gold and platinum. She received her degree in jewelry design at Rochester (N.Y.

Passaic shrine sees new life as park (NorthJersey.com)
PASSAIC -- A tree trunk where some believe they see an image of the Virgin Mary has been drawing hundreds of the Catholic faithful for the past several years.