Hi Oakie,

I found this info....on google.

http://www.thebeadsite.com/BMM-ROSE.htm

Scroll down to where the pic is at half page and read the blurb. Your beads are either plaster, or actually made of flower petals.

Here's another  article (pdf file) dating to 1913:

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9402EEDA173FE633A25754C2A9629C946296D6CF&oref=slogin

Whether real or plaster, I strongly suggest you do NOT wash them. If they're dirty try rubbing them with a soft moistened cloth  and a drop of mild liquid hand soap, then again just with a moist cloth to remove any soap residue. I highly doubt they are of museum value, they might be worth something to somebody who trades in vintage beads, but you probably won't get more than a few dollars for them.

Hope that helps!

I, too, have just acquired a string of beads made from flowers.  The box says "California Flower Beads".  A card inside the box has this information: 

"The Making of Beads From Flowers was introduced into this Country by the early Spanish Missionaries when they settled in California.  They gathered the fresh petals of the flowers which they found growing here so sbundantly at all times of the year and formed them into beads, which, when dry, were vy hard and retained the natural fragrance of the flowers.  They used the beads for making their rosaries.  Recently the industry has been revived and the beads used for making beautiful necklaces and coat chains possessing all the natural color and odor of the real flowers conveying the beautiful sentiments associated from time immemorial withe flowers.  They are manufactured and carved entirely by hand.
   There is no date or place of manufacture.  They are a light pink.

I found your entry when searching for some information about them.  Hope this helps to find more information for us all.

Thanks

Flower beads are so important and to your view it may be like an precious one. If you like it , just wear and

you can wash it. Nothing will happen for the beads.