I think I was one of the lucky few here in TN to have taken lessons from Bob. I too can vouch for the 1983 story above. He gave me a whole roll of pearls, and I used this for the five years I worked restaurants.

Does anyone know where I can find the pearls to make the poodle? I thought it would be easy, but I've tried craft stores, which basically say to come back around Christmas time, but looking for them sooner. I've also tried bead shops and ebay, none of which seem to have ones which will interlock. The only online place which looks like they sell them hasn't answered their phone or responded to an email in several days, so reluctant to place an order there.

Search for bead garland and also for Mardi Gras beads. Check places locally like Hobby Lobby, Michael's, JoAnne's, Dollar Tree, and Wal Mart. You never know what they might have on the shelf. Don't ask the minimum wage help if they carry it. Their interests are not as deep as yours. Walk around and look. Sometimes there are beads available for holidays other than Christmas... St. Patrick's Day, etc.

Michael,

Thanks for the suggestions.

I had already been to several craft stores (including two different Michael's), and thought this would be an easy find, but struck out. And, as you said (and I appreciate the tip), I looked around myself as well as asking the help. I had actually ordered some from a bead specialist on Ebay, but they didn't work - spaced too far apart (the store was very nice, took the beads back and gave me a full refund). Thanks to finding another thread here in the Café (is it me, or does the search engine in the Café leave something to be desired?) , I just found an online place called mardigrasbeadconnection and spoke to a nice lady who thinks that what she has should work, is sending me some.

Good. If it works for you, please tip the source here. It may benefit others.

We found a good source for the correct "pearls" to be the places that sell decorations for weddings...

Julie

Once I get the beads, I'll post letting people know if they work or not.

I really can't believe the trouble I'm having with what I THOUGHT would be some simple, readily available things.

I got the beads in today and they work very nicely.

The beads I got were from:

http://mardigrasbeadconnection.com/Christmas.html

Second set on the top, labeled Christmas Throws. They'll do an assortment - it's not only red, white, and green.

I'll attach a picture after I save it as a smaller size (first attempt failed).

I think this should work.

It uses 16 beads. I've seen it done with 15, leaving the extra one off the tail.

Click here to view attached image.

Merlh: Love the barking dog idea. I'll use that. I have a small recorder that came with a now discontinued trick called Polly Does a Card Trick. Folks can also check with Bob Little from Guarenteed Magic, in Hatoboro, PA. (215) 672-3344. He sells several silver dollar size recorders with the prerecorded animal sounds. Dog,cat,duck,etc. (can't remember exactly which ones) I use the duck recorder in my Card Duck routine. Great fun.