New colorful clay beads!

I made some new polymer clay beads over the weekend. They're colorful, rustic, and nature inspired. And perfect for summer. Want to see?

These adorable turquoise blue birds with brown highlights are just waiting to be made into earrings or charms. They're tiny, but sturdy and full of personality.




I also made some flowers with a similar antiqued look. These dusty blue daisies make perfect little charms.

 

I made some abstract flowers in summer colors. The red ones are complete with brass loops, and the yellow sunflowers would make perfect little connectors.





And for something a bit different, there are these tribal, rustic inspired bead sets.

 
I'll be listing these beads and more today in my shop!

7th BSBP - are you ready?

I didn't think I'd be this excited about the next 7th Bead Soup Blog Party® . Last year was the first time I participated in the huge, international bead swap and blog hop. It was a lot of fun, but I wasn't sure I was going to do it again this year with other recent commitments. But as the sign ups draw nearer, I can't resist!

The mystery of who you get as a partner, Lori pairs everyone, is part of the fun, too. It's a wonderful way to expose yourself to other beaders and jewelry designers.

It's also a great way to test yourself. You never know what you will get, even though most of us try to send something our partners will like. Part of the fun is challenging your partner to use something they may not already; to broaden their beady horizons.

Last year, I had a wonderful partner, Maryse, who sent me gold leafed lampwork, vermeil beads and sari silk. Gold and sari were two things I'd hardly used. But the soup was so beautiful, I couldn't help but be inspired.

Sign ups for the 7th BSBP are tomorrow, so don't miss it! 

ABS Challenge

The Art Bead Scene blog has a beautiful inspiration piece for this month's challenge. Black Peacock with Japanese Persimmons by Jessie Arms Botke. I love this painting and found the perfect beads to use in my entry.

The art beads I used were made by Tania Grey. Somehow, they were just perfect. These frit filled lampwork beads had just the right colors; splashed with blues, greens, and dabs of yellow, like the persimmons. The clear glass Tan used reminds me of the river behind the peacocks in the painting. Her beads have beautiful flow!



 

I knotted the glass nuggets along black cotton cord. Then I added a length of handmade copper chain with clusters of glass flowers in the same colors. Nestled amongst the flowers are twisted copper wire beads with rosy tipped ball ends I made. You can see one between the blue flowers here.



The closure is a chunky copper clasp I made with a vintage Swaroski crystal dangling from the extension chain. There's a dark, metal rose stamping as a focal.

 I nestled silver lined seed beads in the flower dangles for a little extra sparkle and detail. I love how this bracelet came out. It's feminine and comfortable to wear, but still earthy without being too bold.

I've listed this  bracelet in my shop. There are lots of new items, so worth a look! Also don't forget to have a peek at the ABS blog to find out how you can enter the challenge.