Working at BeadStyle for the past three years, I've hear the word "bead" used innumberable times. However, I found it in an unexpected context when I looked at my Shakespeare's Insults calendar on Monday. It read:

"Get you gone, you dwarf!
You minimus, of hind'ring knot-grass made!
You bead, you acorn!"

— A Midsummer Night's Dream 3.2.328–330

This line is spoken by Lysander to Hermia. Even though he truly loves her, he scorns her in this scene due to Puck's mistake with the love potion. Oh, the drama — it's almost like being in high school again.

I can honestly say that for all the talk about beads around the BeadStyle office, I've never heard anyone refer to a person as a bead. And, if they had, it probably would have been meant as a compliment.

It's not everyday that my love of Shakespeare and my love of beading intermingle, but it seems to be a common occurrence right now.  One of the gallery pieces in the July 2008 issue of BeadStyle was inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream, and I have to admit that I was partial to it from the start. That piece, as well as the other July gallery pieces, will be available to view in the Magazine Gallery as of May 23.

Have a great weekend and happy beading!