Charming Bead

I make unique beaded jewelry with beads found from various places that I visit around the world. A revolving selection of finished pieces is added weekly.

07/13/2023

Did you know?

"Magnolias evolved on Earth as far back as 95 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. While there were dinosaurs at that time, bees still did not exist, so magnolias evolved to be pollinated by ancient insects—you may know them today as beetles. Due to this relationship, magnolia flowers have tough carpels—the female parts of the flower—to avoid damage from beetle mandibles as they feed looking for pollen. The carpels also mimic the stamens—the male parts of the flower—to help trick the beetle into spending more time on the flower and ensuring pollination."
-Philip Evich (Smithsonian Gardens)