Thursday, February 18, 2010

HOW TO GREEN YOUR MARDI GRAS BEADS


Mardi Gras must make Beth at Fake Plastic Fish Cry- all those plastic beads. They use to be made out of glass in the 20's and 30's. But cheap won out, and now they are made of plastic. And to earn beads you normally have to do something: for girls- show your ta-tas. And guys show their "junk" to earn beads.(Gives the expression "junk art" new meaning now, doesn't it)?
Well I have never been to Mardi gras. Here in Seattle we celebrate "Fat Tuesday". And I have earned beads.(Blush). Ever wonder what to do if you get loaded with Mardi Gras Beads? First, I would question your love of exposing your naughty parts so much. Then you could make a lamp like this guy did. Or you could make a dog. Over at FED Ex's Out Of Office Blog, Sonya Thorpe uses them for wrapping presents. Or get out your hot glue gun and decorate an old frame with your beads.
You can make a bead curtain. It's a great way to use your beads on windows or doorways. You can also use them to create valances or visual affects for the windows and doorways or as curtain tiebacks. Choose beads that will compliment the décor, which shouldn't be a challenge considering the wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes that most people get at a mardi gras festival. Or create a mosaic or simply use them to embellish ordinary things, from clothes to chairs, or even ironing boards. It's amazing what a thousand or so beads, hot glue, and a lot of patience can accomplish.
Just be careful on earning those beads. You never know who has a digi cam ready to show your "ta-tas" or your "junk" on the interwebs!

3 comments:

Sonya Thorpe said...

Hi Rob...glad you liked my idea for using Mardi Gras beads for gift wrapping and thanks for sharing it with your readers! I like your suggestion for using them for picture frames and may try it out.

Best,
Sonya
http://outofoffice.fedex.com

Anonymous said...

Ive seen seattle's mardi gras and its a stupid drunk fest polluting the prettiest part of town, utterly lacking in creativity. you don't got to show nothing to get beads in new orleans. you just jump up and down waving and smiling. you show your "tatas" cause you want to.

Anonymous said...

I live in New Orleans. Mardi Gras is NOT about flashing. The only people who do that are out of town visitors. Families go to the parades. You can get a ticket with a fine for flashing your stuff.