Sampler

Sampler, a photo by Garyou on Flickr.

I've seen many lanyards lately and I want to make one. But I can't decide how I make a ring over a bead, with picots, without picots, or with small beads.
So, I just made a sampler and found out I need to practice to tat SCMR with a bead in center.
I tatted with silk thread, but cotton thread would be better? Maybe?