There have been more than a few passing references to my love of “using up” odds and ends on the site–the rainbow donut is a good example, but none, I believe, are so effective as this gorgeous green and orange necklace that so enchanted me that I begged Gail to let me photograph it for her just so I could have a copy! The basis, or backbone–so to speak–of this necklace is a technique described by Virginia Blakelock as an African Helix. Diane Fitzgerald also documents it in her charming pamphlet of excellent instructions of African stitches, noting the looping of thread around itself, rather than always through beads, is a distinguishing characteristic of that continent's beadwork. Verdant, which Gail named in honor of its addition to this site, is finished with a peyote tube of graduated colors in the green through orange part of the spectrum, and decorated with a variety of fringes she claims were to tidy off her work surface.

Gail Frederickson, like myself, is a charter member of the GLBG, and has served on the board longer than any other, possibly retaining the position of Recording Secretary since the Guild's inception–or certainly very shortly thereafter. Her beading background is equally distinguished, extending back to her childhood, when she picked up Minnesotan Native American techniques. Currently she teaches only through the Birmingham School District, (where I took the donut class that served as a basis for the techniques, particularly the color blocking, of the Rainbow necklace referenced above) which I feel is a pity, since I've also taken classes with Joyce Scott, Joanne Laessig, and Carol Wilcox Wells, and I do not believe any teacher on the national circuit more gifted.

Necklace copyright 1998 Gail Frederickson, who reserves all rights to the necklace and its image.

Unless otherwise noted, text, image and objects depicted therein copyright 1996--present sylvus tarn.