My Muse Was In a Stylish Box of Beads - Now Serving Bead Soup

I really look forward to Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Parties and this 6th incarnation was no different.  I marked the date for sign-ups in big pink letters on my calendar so I wouldn't forget.  I really enjoy the process of these swaps.  For me, there is no better way to get my juices flowing -- to wake up my muse.  Speaking of my muse, she had been asleep or visiting somebody else for quite a while.  I was hoping that the process of going through my entire bead stash (the first step in the BSBP) would tickle her fancy.  So, back to the process, I go through my stash and find, first, the perfect strand of my handmade beads to send to my partner.  (This year my partner is the lovely and talented Rossana De Gaspari.)  Then match up that strand or pendant with other beads and findings from my stash to send to Rossana.  The rules say to send a focal bead and clasp along with a few coordinating beads and when you receive your beads, you must use those components in your designs.

Here is a reminder of the focal pieces and one of the clasps that Rossana sent to me -- mind you she sent me an entire stash of lovely beads, strand after strand of wonderful inspiration.  I usually design a neckace with the BSBP beads that I've been sent in the past.  Maybe a bracelet or a pair of earrings to match, but always a necklace.  Not this time.  This time I was all about the bracelets.  In fact, I made more than one.

The first bracelet that I made, I used only the pretty orange stones that were in the stash box that Rossana sent.  I have had that hollow glass bead, that my good friend Amy gifted to me, for years.  I've been keeping it for something special.  These orange stones (I'm not sure what they are, maybe some type of marble?), fit that bill.  I just did simple macrame with the leather cord from the stash box around the beads, which I wired up the center for a bit of strength.  It came out great, don't you think?

 

Next, still on the macrame kick, I used the ceramic focal, lampwork and ceramic rondelles from the stash box, along with some chocolate brown waxed linen (along in the stash box) to create this bracelet.  I used a simple lobster clasp for a closure here.

I wanted to make as many pieces as I could without adding much from my own stash for the reveal, today.  With the huge selection that Rossana sent me, I was able to make another bracelet.

I used the wonderful Glass Addictions bead from the stash as the center point.  I wired it to two large jump rings from the box and then linked two wired strands of Czech glass (one from the stash box and one from my stash) that I coiled around each other then linked those to one of the clasps that were in the stash box.


Last but not least, are these two pair of earrings that I made. For the earrings, I'll admit to having used some beads from my own stash, the turquoise donuts in the dangling pair and the ceramic disks in the hoops.  (I made three, but had a terrible time photographing the earrings.  Thus, only photos of two pair.  After all of these pieces, I still have enough stash left over to make many, many more pieces.  In fact, come back in the next couple of days -- I plan to post a few more of the pieces that I made, one featuring the other copper clasp from Rossana's generous stash of beads.

Now, continue on and visit the other lovely designers who have contributed to this wonderful party.  Start with rdegas blog, my partner, Rossana's blog and then you can visit them all:

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous


Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs


Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities
Laurie Lalonde, HourGlass Studio
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

Refreshing Summer Soup

I am so excited to be participating in the Sixth Bead Soup Blog Party with my talented partner, Rossana De Gaspari.  Imagine my thrill when I arrived home this past Monday (my apologies for not posting earlier) to a box in the post from Rossana.  I opened the outer box (at left) to find this amazing treasure box inside.  This box is so beautiful and alone gave me inspiration to begin creating.  Something sorely missing from my life, lately.  My muse has returned to me from her vacation -- she must have been in Florida (where Rossana lives).

I opened the lovely box and gasped when I saw all of the lovely beads inside.  The box was filled to the very brim (see picture at right) with lovely orange stones (I'm not sure what they are besides absolutely gorgeous), aqua crystals, wonderful Czech glass strands, fantastic copper and antiqued brass findings and beads, lampworked glass rondelles in the most lovely shade of blue and much, much more.  So many riches.
There are enough beads and supplies in this collection to make exactly that, an entire collection.  Also inside were a lovely lampworked glass focal and ceramic connector (shown at left).  Rossana also included not one but two amazing copper toggles. So many recipes are swirling around in my head.  I'm so glad that we are in the last group for our reveal dates.  I plan on indeed building an entire collection around these lovely beads.  Thank you so much, Rossana!  And, thank you to Lori for putting us together.

Customizable Pendants Now Available

New in my etsy store: fully customizable pendants.  You supply the artwork (in jpg format) -- either black and white or in color.  Be it a drawing, clip art or photograph, even your favorite saying or quote, and I'll turn it into a pendant.  It can be round, heart-shaped, square, any shape really.  The back of the pendants can be customized as well.  Pick a color and whether or not you'd like gold or silver leaf and voila -- a one-of-a-kind pendant that you can enjoy forever.  If you'd like your pendant worked into a necklace or bracelet design (at an additional cost), the possibilities are endless.  $25.00 plus shipping.

Have you seen my mojo?

I just don't know what my problem is lately.  Maybe I've been thinking too much about Steven and his upcoming move to UCLA and all that entails or maybe I'm just lazy, but I haven't created anything in months.  I need a kick in the pants and The Bead Soup Blog Party is just the thing to do that.  I can't wait until Friday to sign up.

This bead swap is a sure-fire way to get your juices flowing.  I've participated three times in the past and all three times have had wonderful partners and made really fun pieces.  I know this year will be the same.

Speaking of Steven, I have set up a scholarship fund for him to help defray some of the expenses associated with his transfer to UCLA in the fall.  Click on the button below to visit that page and donate if you can, share if you see fit.  Most of all, wish his the best.  This young man can and will make a difference in this world.



Glad to be blogging again.  Hopefully I'll be updating with some regularity in the next few weeks.  Stay tuned!

Los Angeles Regretsy Meet Up-- SOLD OUT!!!

Almost Sold Out, Today Is Your Last Chance!

If you're looking for the place to pay for the Los Angeles Regretsy Meet-up, you've come to the right place.  Please pay for the tickets individually so that we will have a complete guest list at the door.  Thanks and CF4L!