More than just beads ...

Pendants, too.  One of my favorite things to do with polymer and part of the reason that I love it so, is mix it with stones to create pendants.  Polymer is such a wonderful medium, it can do just about anything, be just about anything you can imagine it to be.  Maybe polymer and I found each other just because of that.  Growing up those are the words that I heard so often: "you can be anything you want to be, anything you can imagine."  What I want most of all is to bring my beads to designers across the world.  I'm so close that I can feel my dream coming true.  For now, dear readers, what I can say is that I will begin to post beads for sale here on my blog.  Until I get the whole "store" thing figured out.  If there is interest, send me a message and we will work out the details of payment and shipping.  Look Mom, my dreams are coming true. 

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!

Tasting Soup

 

 Thank goodness my bead soup party partner and friend Shea had the presence of mind to take and post pictures of the raw ingredients that we sent each other, or I wouldn't be able to post this teaser of the beautiful things to come next week when our final pieces are to be revealed.  The picture above are the beautiful ingredients that Shea sent to me.  This picture does not do her lovely Silver Clay pendant any justice at all.  It's absolutely lovely.  You will have to wait until next week to see what I stirred into these beads and what came out of the pot.  I've worn it already and received many compliments.  This is so much fun!!!

This photo to the left is a close up of a sampling polymer clay beads that I sent to Shea.  I'm thrilled that she's pleased with my work. Tune in next week for our finished pieces. 

Finally New Work ...

Now if I only had a new camera, I would be able to post really nice pictures.  This is a scan.  The aqua color beads in this piece are my own design.  Polymer clay with gold leaf.  The scan just doesn't do them justice.  The stones are died agate, I'm pretty sure from Rings & Things, but might be from Michael's, JoAnn's or my LBS.  The clasp I found at JoAnn's.

I really think that I have grown as a designer, comparing this piece with some of my earlier designs.  I get compliments every time I wear this.  I made earrings to match -- too bad I lost one at work the other day or I'd post a picture of those too.

Note to Santa (you never know who's reading):  the best possible gift for me this year would be an IPod Touch.  I've been a really good girl all year long!!!