Heirloom beans are one of the prettiest ingredients in the kitchen. Speckled, spotted, red, black, and white — they have real graphic flair. This disappears, though, when they are cooked into yummy (but less pretty) beans for eating. So why not hang to a few and work them into some unusual jewelry?

I saw this jewelry project at Etsy (where else?) and it stopped me in my tracks — beans on a necklace! It sounds like a kindergarten project, but I was struck how punchy and even elegant it looked here. The project is pretty simple and inexpensive; it involves a drill or dremel tool with a very small bit, waxed string, and beans.

• See the tutorial: How-Tuesday: Natural Bean Jewelry at The Etsy Blog

If want to proudly wear your love of beans, but you're not up for boring tiny holes in heirloom legumes, you can also buy these necklaces on Etsy.

• Solitaire calypso bean charm necklace, $25 from Etsy shop radicals
• Elegant chain of black and white heirloom beans, $54 from Etsy shop radicals

Would you wear a string of beans around your neck?

Related: For the Cook, on Halloween: A Necklace of Garlic

(Images: via Etsy shop radicals)