Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal!

It's time, it's hear! It's time for us to show off our creations for the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party!

I am really excited! I was partnered up with Patty Miller of Cabaribeads! She sent me a BEAUTIFUL soup loaded with my favorite turquoises and aquas! I was so excited when my soup finally arrived! She made the gorgeous lampwork focal bead and the lovely etched copper heart link.

I was out shopping the day that my soup came and took advantage of a sale and scooped up some larger coordinating beads to go with my soup.  I chose the turquoise howlite rectangles and the dyed ocean jasper.  Both of these colors really played beautifully with that awesome focal bead!

What I finally ended up with when I finished editing out the extra beads form both Patty and my shopping spree, was the howlite, the jasper, the little purple jade beads from Patty, the turquoise glass beads from patty, some copper and purple jade beads from my stash, the focals and the toggle from Patty. I wanted to try an asymmetrical design so I used the heart on one side. I think it came out beautifully!

I want to thank Lori Anderson of the Pretty Things Blog for putting this Blog Hop together! There are almost 500 participants, world wide, in this blog hop! Be sure to check out the other participants reveals! There are going to be some really gorgeous designs! BLOG HOP BLOG ROLL!

Be sure to check out Patty's blog on the second reveal date next Saturday to see what she does with the soup I sent her!

New Look!

One of my favorite lampwork bead artists, Heather Davis, (Blissful Garden Beads) recently launched a new line of ceramic components. I have been collecting them and I have to admit to hording them. LOL. (yeah, what else is new?)

Heather asked me to do a guest post on her blog in exchange for a few components to try out. Needless to say I jumped at the chance. :-). Below are the components that Heather generously supplied to me. I have to admit, I was overwhelmed, there was such a variety and they are all lovely!

I knew that I wanted to try pairing her lampwork beads with some of the ceramic pieces so I bought a few pairs of lampwork and waited patiently for them to arrive. When they got here, I was tickled! I knew what I would do with them right away. Below you'll see the results of my first two sets using Heather's components.

True Blue pairs up a lovely trio of links in a gorgeous true blue color and a pair of Heather's beads with light blue flowers and deep pink roses. True Blue is available here in my Etsy shop.

Pink Lady is a FUN set! I love the big hole pendant and it allowed me to pair it up with a silk string. The two links are complimented with a pair of Heather's 'cut glass' style rose beads. Pink Lady is available here in the Etsy shop.

Sand and Sea Blog Hop Reveal!

It's here, it's here! It's time for the reveal for the My Bead Table Blog Hop, Sand and Sea theme! I have been dying to share my creation and I've been really good about not sharing it yet. I am normally too impatient to wait to see how other folks like my new stuff so this was good for me.

If you remember, Lisa Lodge sent out bead kits to all of the participants in this blog hop. You had no choice in what you received, it would either be Sand or Sea themed. I really REALLY wanted a Sea themed kit so I kept my fingers crossed and waited. When I got my kit, I was tickled to pieces to see that it was indeed a Sea themed kit. And it was LOADED with fun beads in some of my favorite colors!

I had wanted to push myself for this challenge, I wanted to design something outside of my normal simple stringing. I had the vague notion of a multi-strand bracelet or an asymmetrical design. I played with my beads for about a month or so and then finally, in January, I sat down and created my piece.

As you can see, I created a 3 strand piece using almost ALL of my kit beads. I did make a switch out on the findings, I thought with the warm brown tones in the ceramic bead, that brass would compliment that focal more then the supplied silver findings. There are two strands of strung beads here along with a third strand of chain to which I have wire wrapped dozens of glass bead charms. This one closes with a lobster claw clasp.

I have this one in my Etsy shop here (Boho Rose) but  I wanted to share it with you all and find out what you think about it. Be sure to take some time and check out the other folks in the Blog Hop. There are so many talented designers that gave this one a go, I'm looking forward to seeing them all myself!

Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life

Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs

Tanya Goodwin, A Work in Progress

Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry

Marla Gibson, Spice Box Designs

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Dot Lewallen, Speedie Beadie

Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs

Kim Booth, The Pink Martini Boutique

Jami Shipp, Celebrating Life

Leah Tees, My Beady Littleeyes

Christie Murrow, www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com

Monique Urquhart, A Half Baked Notion

Gloria Allen,   Gloria Allen Designs

Cindy Anderson Wilson,  It's My Sea of Dreams

Suzi Campbell, Suzi Campbell Creations

Shaiha Williams,   Shaiha's Ramblings

Annette Rivers, MamaOwl's Mess