Water beads/pearls?

They hold water, expand and look pretty. They're not meant to float.

No, I'm not using them.

I've used them for florals, and you can get them for pennies a bag. Some people will even layer the colors since, like OtW said, they just expand and hold their shape.

I'm using them for my manzanita branch centerpieces, I love them

OTW explained it.

I'm putting a submersible light in my vase so the beads reflect pink

I thought they floated up a little like this?

^^ That might be something else. I've never seen red water beads that opaque. They're usually clear and much smaller. Whatever these things are COULD be submersed in a clear wax gel. Where is Centerpiece Flowers? She'd know best.

This is what the pictures used:

http://www.amazon.com/Wholesale-Transparent-Vase-Floating-Separately/dp/B003D8O50C

It's a gel that expands so you can ADD the beads in there to make it look like it's floating

Oh I thought it was the same thing! I like the floaty things but they are expensive!