Welcome to the Bead Soup Blog Party!!!

I was so happy to be paired this time around with Marianna Boylan of the blog Pretty Shiny Things.  She is a talented bead maker and jewelry designer who runs the etsy shop Star Girl Jewelry.  I don't design with lampwork beads too often, so I was beyond thrilled to be partnered with a lampwork artist.  Just look at the lovely things that she sent me.
There is a wonderful set of Marianna's lampwork, a terrific ceramic pendant, a cute little bird charm, a sterling connector, pearls, jasper, twisted silver rings, crystal bling and a wonderful three-strand silver clasp -- deliciousness, I tell you.  The minute I opened the package and saw the pendant and little bird, I had an idea for the focal piece of my design.

 

I had a lovely silver rose bead that my dear friend, Amy, had given me in my stash and the minute I saw it, an idea for the design for my piece came to me.  In fact, I immediately set to work to make the pendant.  I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of the design.  I immediately went to my stash and pulled some lovely mat seed beads in moss greens and some pretty deep pink metallic seeds.  I also raided my stash of crystals for some tiny purple bicones and some really pretty golden yellow rondelles.  Then I hit the box of pearls and pulled some really pretty magenta fresh water pearls that I've been wanting to use.  Then I hit the gemstone box and pulled all of this yellow turquoise that I bought on sale and viola.  Without further explanation, I'll just show you my piece.

 

I am very proud of this necklace.  In fact, it is the most ambitious piece that I've ever made, using all of my skills and then some.  I put my heart and soul into it and hope you all enjoy.  Now, go and visit the other wonderful designer's blogs who are participating in this wonderful party.  Start with our wonderful host, Lori Anderson and make your way through the entire list of over 300 participants here.  Enjoy!

Have a weekend filled with Treasure

Here's hoping that all of my American friends enjoy their long Labor Day holiday weekend and that we all take the time to celebrate all of the treasures in our lives.  I am lucky to have a four-day weekend and will be home enjoying my family, finishing up my bead soup pieces and making new beads.  I will leave you with this, Buried Treasure, my newest listing on Etsy.  Have a great weekend everybody.  See you all next week!

Fairy Tale/Spring Blog Hop -- Bead Soup Blog Party Light

Lori Anderson has done it again!  This time with fewer players and a theme.  The swap theme was "Fairy Tales/Spring" and the only requirement was that we design a piece and post for today's blog hop.  Imagine my delight to discover that my partner was our hostess herself.  I don't know what thrilled me more, receiving beads that Lori had selected or the opportunity to have her design a piece using my beads.  I sent Lori a selection of my polymer and some accents, but you will have to visit Lori's blog to see what she created.  Lori sent me a wonderful selection of playful resin, flowers, charms and crystals along with two lovely lampworked beads.  The minute I opened the package I saw this:

Right here should be a picture of the beautiful charm
bracelet that I made with Lori's beads.  Unfortunately, I had camera
problems on Friday and asked my son to take pictures
for me early Saturday morning.  Much to my dismay, while
cooking, he sliced his palm, which led to the hospital and stitches
and life got in the way...  Life sometimes gets in the way of art...
Stay tuned (Please!).

I know that you are excited to see what everybody created, I'm sure everything will be amazing.  Without further ado, here are our swappers:

Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads

Courtney Breul,  Beads by Breul

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta

Evelyn Hall, Dragon Lady Evelyn

Sandy Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box 

Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Design

Tara Plote, Newbie Beader

Christine Brandel, A Hot Piece of Glass

Lisa Sittniewski, Alterityart

Joanne Matuszczyk, Filcowe

Jenni Connolly, Jenni Bead

Geneva Collins, Torque Bead

Elizabeth Auld, Beads for Busy Gals

Sally Russick, Wireworked

Mary McGraw, MK's Creative Musings

Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas

Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found

Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs

Shai Williams, Shai's Ramblings

Joanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations

Sweet Addy Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Fused Glass

Anybody can join the Bead Soup Party.  Visit the group at Bead Soup Blog Party and join the fun!