Yeah Laura, what Bentiron said, "men who bead" are greeted with a complete lack of respect that would put any stepchild in the shade.
That's why I now "carve waxes and cast precious metal" in a very hearty, some even say manly sort of way :-)
( entre nous, I still bead as much as ever, of course )
Anyway, WELCOME to the Art Jewelry Forum even though you've been here longer than I have.
Dennis
BTW, nice strands! I'd be happy to have done those myself.