November is a time for families to gather and reminisce about the past and envision the future. But let's not forget one of the more important perks of the season—the Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings.

One of my family's favorite Thanksgiving desserts is pumpkin pie. This year, make your pie using a fresh pumpkin. It will result in an added bonus: you can save the seeds to string a beautiful, natural necklace.

Materials

• One or two pumpkins

• Watercolors or food coloring

• Needle with eye wide enough to accommodate thick thread

• Extra heavy duty thread

• Small glass or plastic beads (optional)

• Jewelry clasp (optional)

Process

Remove seeds from pumpkin. Clean and rinse seeds to remove pumpkin pulp. Lay the seeds out on paper towels or newspaper to dry for several days. If you're in a hurry, spread seeds on a baking sheet and place in a low-temperature oven to speed the drying process. Just be careful not to let the seeds roast or they will be too brittle to string.

If you wish, paint the seeds with thin watercolor paint or food coloring diluted with water. They may also be dyed with strong coffee or tea.

Lay the seeds out according to the way you wish to string them. If adding beads, design the necklace on a towel to prevent the beads from rolling.

Decide how long you want your necklace to be and add at least 8" more to allow you tie it off or to add a clasp. Thread your needle and string the seeds. If adding beads, place a piece of tape flattened over thread end to keep the beads from slipping off during stringing. When complete, tie ends together if the necklace will fit over your head. For a shorter necklace, attach a clasp to ends.

Imagine going to the family feast wearing a unique necklace made from part of your fresh, homemade pumpkin pie. Bet the necklace lasts longer than the pie!

Frances A. Williams lives and teaches 6th-8th grade art in Piedmont. She has a BFA from OSU and an MED in Art from UCO. Frances enjoys teaching and getting people excited about art, believing everyone has something they can learn through the art process.