I have 16 to date but there are so many more I want. I found them in Chinatown outside a bubble tea place I frequent. I thought the rat one was really cute because it had whiskers. My friend bought it for me because she also bought one for her kids.

What I can't figure out is how they are made. I first thought that there was a wire running through all of the beads but now I think they are glued together. For example, how does the snake have a red tongue. I'm endelessly fascinated. My biggest fear is that they are made by some child going blind in a factory.

I believe they are cell phone charms but I have put them on various things. For example, the snake one is on my backpack because I like to go hiking. I had the rat on my keychain because I thought it represented quitessential New York.

I think an octopus or squid would be key because of the degree of difficulty. The thinning of the legs and the different colors needed would be harder to execute.

I was thinking of buying one of those mini trees that they sell at Halloween and displaying them somewhere in my office. People always seem to get a kick out of them.