BSBP7 Reveal!

It's here! The second reveal of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party®, hosted by the talented Lori Anderson,  has finally arrived. If you're not already familiar with the BSBP, have a look at Lori's blog to find out more. It's a huge, international bead swap and design challenge.

I was lucky to be paired with Marcia Dunne of The Alternative Foundry. I've secretly admired Marcia's work on Etsy and was pleasantly surprised to be her partner in this challenge. I didn't even realise she was in the UK! It's a small world and an even smaller island.

Before we go any further,  I must say a BIG thank you to Marcia! The soup she sent was full of special beads. Thank you for widening my boundaries and introducing me to a few new, amazing bead artists.

Here's a recap of the wonderful soup I received from Marcia. She sent me two gorgeous clasps she made herself, three focals, and a medley of lampwork, Czech glass, leather, headpins she made, and many, many more beautiful beads.

How could you not be inspired by that? The creative gears started turning immediately, but I put off making my pieces right away. I was worried of wasting
the beautiful soup!

Eventually I did start. This was the first thing I made - a copper bracelet with the feather styled metallic beads, the blue nautilus beads, a large crystal, and one of the stamped copper 'Paris' charms Marcia made.

I made a simple clasp (compared to Marcia's!) for the closure and wire wrapped the beads in copper. I loved the flow and interesting mix of beads, so decided to keep it fairly simple.

Dangling from the clasp is the copper charm Marcia made.

The second piece I made was also a bracelet. I adore the clasps Marcia made for me. They're packed with detail and charm. I decided to use the white clasp with the orange butterfly ceramics she sent. I called this one "Fly Me to the Sun".

I added a ceramic bird bead by Gaea Handmade and speckled, etched spacers by Tan Grey. I think the lack of sunshine helped me make this! The mix of oranges with the soft whites and warm copper seemed perfect together.

I added a little more detail at the clasp with some sorbet orange Czech glass leaves. The little leaves reminded me of feathers, so I clustered them and wire wrapped tiny orange seed beads to the tops.

Like the soup Marcia sent me, the beads have lots of surprising details. Here's a picture of the back of Gaea's ceramic with a sweet little heart.

(Yes, there are LOTS of pictures in this blog!). Next up is something similar, but very different. I used the second clasp in another bracelet with earthy and subtle colors. Again, I used a bird in this bracelet. The adorable little birds is, unmistakably, by Caroline from BlueberriBeads. He's been sitting in my stash for a few months and really wanted to be in this bracelet. Doesn't he look happy in his thicket of gemstones? I called this one "In the Thicket".

I used more of Gaea's ceramic beads. They matched the riverstone and aventurine so perfectly, I couldn't resist. I made little gemstone flowers out of turquoise to match the green clasp.

Here's a view of the riverstone flower. The faceted gems sparkle beautifully, too.

And because you have to see his cute little face...







Finally, I had to use a focal. I was so, so torn between the three Marcia sent me. I actually have another necklace in the works, but I finished this one for the reveal. I used the feather focal by TheCraftyBead and made "Feather in the Clouds".

The focal has lovely, subtle colors, and I didn't want to overshadow it with a busy design or too much color. I focused on a palette inspired by the graduated glaze. I used sodalite gemstones, faceted crystals, and vintage glass beads.

The beads are wire wrapped in red brass, and I made a simple brass hook clasp for the closure.

The vintage, etched glass cushion beads were from Old Bicycle Shop. I love the softness they add. The cloud-like details on the sodalite are a nice surprise, too.

I hope you've enjoyed looking at my creations! Don't forget to visit my partner Marcia's blog to see what she made with the soup I sent her. That's all from me! Scroll down to find the full list of participants in the second reveal of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party®!

Agata Grygiel	http://inny-pamietnik.blogspot.com/
Ali McCarthy	www.northwoodscreativestudio.blogspot.com
Alice Craddick	http://www.alicesbeadsandbaubles.blogspot.com/
Amy Severino	www.amybeads.blogspot.com
Ana Krepel	http://catspajamas-dogstuxedos.blogspot.com/
Andra Weber	www.andrasjoyfuljourney.blogspot.com
Andrea Glick	http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Andrea Trank	www.heavenlanecreations.com
Anitra Gordy Boyers	www.LeeLuCreations.blogspot.com
Annette Rivers	http://mamaowlsmess.blogspot.com/
Anu Tuppurainen	http://koti-ilta.blogspot.fi/
April Grinaway	http://brooklynbeadgoddess.blogspot.com/
Audrey Bélanger	http://esperianterra.blogspot.ca/
B.R.Kuhlman	http://www.mixedmayhemstudios.com
Barbara Bechtel	http://secondsurf.com
Barbara Mason	www.Adorninglyyours.com
Becky Pancake	www.beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Beti Horvath	www.stringingfool.blogspot.com
Billi RS Rothove	http://www.billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com
Bobbie Rafferty	www.beadsong.blogspot.com
Brandi Burdick	http://www.tofallorstumbleupon.com/
Candida Castleberry	http://spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com/
Carol Dillman	http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Gebert	http://kookykardinal.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Lawson	www.carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Caron Reid	http://www.caronmichelle.blogspot.com.au/
Catherine King	www.Catherines-Musings.blogspot.com
Cathy Jakicic	http://bds.jewelrymakingmagazines.com/
Chandra Merod	www.junipergoods.blogspot.com
Charlene Jacka	http://clay-space.com/blog
Cheri Reed	www.creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com
Cherrie Fick	www.designsinthelight.co
Cherrie Warzocha	http://colorsofshae.blogspot.com/
Cheryl Brown	www.dragonflybeads.ca/category/blog
Cheryl Dunham	www.Renaissance-jewelry.blogspot.com
Cheryl Foiles	www.getyourbeadon.com
Cheryl Gangle	www.RockCandyJewelryDesign.blogspot.com
Chris Eisenberg	www.wanderware.blogspot.com
Chris White	http://dzeyenrstudio.blogspot.com/
Christina Miles	http://wingsnscales.blogspot.com/
Christine Hansen	http://intuitivesparks.blogspot.com
Christine Murrow	www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
Christine Stonefield	www.sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com
Cindy Ritchie	http://mooseriverglass.blogspot.com
Clare Etheridge	www.catseatdogs.com
Cory Tompkins	www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
Cris Peacock	http://crispart.blogspot.com/
Cynthia Abner	http://createdtreasures.blogspot.com/
Debbie Rasmussen	http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca/
Debi Levine	http://oneheartsblog.blogspot.co.il/
Deborah Brooks	http://www.fromtheheartcreations.blogspot.com/
Deborah Read	www.deborahreadcom.blogspot.com
Debra Behrends	http://www.hopefuljourneys.blogspot.com/
Dorota Żerańska	www.gdymamczas.blogspot.com
Elaine Robitaille	http://www.tooaquarius.com
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca	http://www.ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Emma Todd	www.apolymerpenchant.com
Erin Guest	http://www.renlish.com
Evelyn Shelby	http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/
Evie and Beth McCord	http://www.ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com
Francy Inman	http://www.8secondstudio.blogspot.com/
Ginger Bishop	www.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Gloria Allen	http://gloriaallendesigns.blogspot.com
Hajer Waheed	http://mybeadedworld.wordpress.com/
Hope Smitherman	http://CraftyHope.blogspot.com
Ilenia Ruzza	http://ile1974.blogspot.it/
Ilona Hegedűs	http://ilkabeads.blogspot.com
Ine Vande Cappelle	http://jewelsbyine.blogspot.com
Jackie Ryan	http://kydojewellery.blogspot.co.uk/
Janine Lucas	http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Jean Peter	http://jeanpdesigns.blogspot.com/
Jean Wells	http://jeanawells.blogspot.com/
Jeanne Steck	http://gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com/
Jelveh Jaferian Johnson	www.jelvehdesigns.blogspot.com
Jennifer Cabic	www.jennifercabic.blogspot.com
Jennifer Reno	http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com
Jennifer VanBenschoten	http://www.vanbeads.blogspot.com
Jenny Davies-Reazor	www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Jenny Kyrlach	http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/
Jenny Robledo	http://peppasdream.blogspot.com/
Jessica Brower	http://ifcreations.blogspot.com
Jill MacKay	www.jillmackay.com
JJ Jacobs	www.comingabstractions.blogspot.com
Jo-Ann Woolverton	www.itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Joanne Tinley	http://www.daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com/
Johanna Rhodes Nash	http://firephoenixcreations.blogspot.co.uk/
Judy Robinson	http://woodbeads.wordpress.com
Juli Cannon	www.beadnik.net
Julia Gerlach	www.beadandbutton.com/beadbuzz
Julie Bowen	http://blog.autochthonous-evolved.com
Julie Panusis	http://catsmeowco.blogspot.com
K Hutchinson	http://jumbledhutch.wordpress.com
Karen Martinez	http://fairiesmarket.blogspot.com/
Karen Vincent	www.swallowtailjewellery.blogspot.com
Karen Williams	http://www.baublicious.blogspot.com/
Karin Slaton	www.backstorybeads.blogspot.com
Karyn Bonfiglio	http://plussizebangles.com/blog
Kat Douglas	www.Washoekat.blogspot.com
Kate Dufour	http://mixfolios.wordpress.com/
Kate Mulligan	http://mulliganstewjewelry.blogspot.com/
Kate Richbourg	www.katerichbourg.com
Kathleen Gallant	http://partnersincharms.blogspot.com
Kathleen Lange Klik	http://ModernNatureStudio.blogspot.com
Katie Nielsen-Nunez	www.Vikingcraft.blogspot.com
Kay Bolton	http://www.toodlesandbinks.blogspot.com
Kayla Potega	http://www.teejewelry.blogspot.com
Kelli Jacobson	http://www.CreativeMoonJewelryAndThings.com
Kelly Patterson	http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com
Kelly Ramstack	http://adventureswithkelly.blogspot.com
Kiersten Kern	http://myglassbeadlife.blogspot.com/
Kim Sparks	http://beadabunch.blogspot.com/
Klaudete Koon	http://klaudetekoon.blogspot.com/
Klaudia Tóth	http://www.klaudiabizsu.hu/
Krista French	http://expressyourfaith.webs.com/apps/blog/
Kristin Oppold	http://www.yayjewelry.blogspot.com
Kym Hunter	http://kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com/
Lana Kinney	http://somethinguniquebylana.blogspot.ca
Laura Guenther	www.blueantiquities.blogspot.com
Lauren Fenty	http://laurenbeads.blogspot.com/
Leah Curtis	http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk/
Lennis Carrier	www.windbent.wordpress.com
Linda Murphy	www.bonitabead.blogspot.com
Lisa Johnson	http://whimsyswonders.blogspot.com/
Lori Anderson	www.prettythingsblog.com
Lupe Meter	http://gesmpccorner.blogspot.com/
Lynn Jobber	http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/
Mandi Effron	http://craft-o-licious.blogspot.com/
Marcia Dunne	www.thealternativefoundry.blogspot.com
Margareta Saari	http://magsinhelmet.blogspot.fi/
Megan Milliken	www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com
Marie Covert	http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/
Mary Ellen Parker	www.beetreebyme.blogspot.com
Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens	http://www.glassbeadart.blogspot.com
Megan Milliken	www.maemaemills.blogspot.com
Melissa Meman	http://melissameman.blogspot.com
Melissa Mesara	http://one-earedpig.blogspot.com/
Michaela Pabeschitz	http://der-lamardebonita.blogspot.co.at/
Michelle Tucker	http://michellescreativemusings.blogspot.com/
Mimi Gardner	www.OtherCuriosities.blogspot.com
Mischelle Fanucchi	http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Monica Phillips	http://www.monicaglassandjewelry.com/blog
Mowse Doyle	http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Nancy Boylan	www.snazzydoodle.blogspot.com
Nancy Dale	www.nedbeads.blogspot.com
Pat Haight	http://wigglebuttblog.blogspot.com/
Patina Queen	www.patinaqueenstudio.blogspot.com
Patty Miller	http://cabaribeads.blogspot.com/
Pia Kaven	http://piakaven.blogspot.com
Rebecca Anderson	http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Rose Johnson	http://swtrosethorn.blogspot.com
Roxanne Blanc	http://strikesmyfancy-2013.blogspot.com/
Sarah Goode	www.pookledo.blogspot.com
Sarah Singer	http://singingsongsofsixpence.blogspot.co.uk
Sarah Strover	http://beaupepys.blogspot.com
Shalini Austin	http://jewellery-by-shalini.blogspot.co.uk/
Sherri Stokey	www.KnotJustMacrame.com
Sherry Baun	http://www.unicornsjewels.blogspot.com
Sheryl Stephens	http://www.babblebead.blogspot.com
Silvia Sernicola	http://pipa-the-latest.blogspot.it/
Solange Collin	http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Stacie Florer	http://www.soultosubstance.com
Stacy Alderson	http://iridalsattic.blogspot.co.uk
Stephanie Haussler	www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Stephanie LaRosa	www.stringaholic.blogspot.com
Sue Burleigh	http://sagebreezes.blogspot.com/
Susan Bowie	http://susanbowie.wordpress.com/
Susan Kelly	http://midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com
Susan of Libellula Jewelry	www.libellulajewelry.com
Susan Sheehan	http://susanasheehan.blogspot.com/
Suzanne Fragiacomo	www.glassymom.blogspot.com
Tammi Sloan	www.mybrownwren.blogspot.com
Tammie Everly	http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com
Tania Hagen	http://pelimadesign.blogspot.co.nz/
Tania Spivey	www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com
Tanya Goodwin	www.pixiloo.blogspot.com
Tanya Wiles	http://studioblog.tenebroushollow.com
Tari Kahrs	http://pearlandpebble.blogspot.com/
Terry Carter	http://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com/
Theresa Buchle	http://www.bead-mused.blogspot.com
Tiffany Smith	http://southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Tina Holden	http://beadcomber.blogspot.com
Tracey Nanstad	http://abeadifulmess.blogspot.com/
Tracie Dean	http://homeofthepurskey.blogspot.com
Tracy Bell	www.CopperGlassAndRecycledTrash.blogspot.com
Tracy Kruse	http://goldkissesart.blogspot.com/
Veralynne Malone	www.veradesigns.blogspot.com
Veronica Campos-Hallstrom	http://www.clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com

Facebook Participants


D’Arsie Manzella   
Claire Brannigan Hasemeier
Robin Showstack
Melanie Lemen Swope
Beccy Peterson
Kelli Nelson
Chris Schlicht
Shelley Cole-Kuduk

Totally random post on dying clothes

I've been thinking about trying something new. I have this sudden urge to dye my clothes. Oh yes, you heard me. Have you tried it?

I'm one of those people who likes interesting and bold clothes, but ends up dressing really boring. I love colour, but I usually wear black, blue, or muted things. Why?? Anyway, that got me thinking about trying my hand at dying some things. Now, this is going to take a lot more planning and research because I really do not want to end up with purple skin or something. Actually, purple skin is probably worth it if I can make something like these.

I found a great colour mixing chart on Rit Dye's website. Look at the colours! There's everything imaginable. This is so, so tempting, especially with a second hand shop around the corner that has clothes for 50p (or less than $1 for my American friends!).

There are, apparently, different ways to dye said clothes. I'll probably end up using the bucket + dye routine, instead of using a washing machine like here.

Have any of you tried dying clothes? I'd love any advice.

Colour Palette Blog Hop Reveal

Today is the reveal for the Colour Palette Blog Hop organised by Bonnie at Jasper's Gems. Bonnie challenged us to choose one of three (or all three!) colour paletes.

My first choice, and probably the most eye catching, was the vibrant palette with those adorable little birds.

I played around with some beads and finally decided on using a pair of gorgeous, antique African trade beads my friend Solange of Ahowin sent me. The bright yellow was perfect. The beads also have off-white, black, and tiny swirls of earthy red.

  
I paired them with riverstone gemstones for added white and a natural touch. On top of the trade beads sits a stack of vintage glass washers in black (from the 1900s) and double ended headpins I used as spacers. All the red tipped findings were made by me, and added a little extra colour.

Finally, I added tiny, faceted light blue sapphires. I decided to dangle these from the earwires instead of wire wrapping them in place. It adds to the organic flow of the earrings.

I also chose the palette with the bright orange lily. I made a simple pair of drop earrings with lampwork beads, copper, and enameled headpins.

The speckled beads are by Tan Grey and the orange pair is by Laney Mead (who's also in this blog hop!). For the vibrant green, I used some of my handmade enameled headpins.

The speckled lampwork beads have a few shades shades of orange and an earthy red. I hung the drops on copper ear wires I made to add a bit more of that burnt red.

 

Have a look at the other blogs to see what they made! And a big thank you to Bonnie for this inspiring blog hop.

Roberta Fauntroy
http://thevirtualbeadsociety.wordpress.com/

Alicia Marinache

http://www.allprettythings.ca/

Leah Curtis

http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk

Cheryl Dunham

www.renaissance-jewelry.blogspot.com

Andrea Trank

www.heavenlanecreations.com

Shai Williams

http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Penny Houghton
www.smellynelly.blogspot.com

Maria Rosa Sharrow
www.willowstreetshops.blogspot.ca/

Laney
http://laney-izzybeads.blogspot.ca/

Nancy Smith
http://www.wirednan.blogspot.ca/

Neena Shilvock
www.capriliciousjewellery.com

Bonnie Coursolle

http://jaspersgems.blogspot.ca/

Liebster award, eh?

I'd never heard of this until Laney from Izzybeads nominated me, but it sounds like fun! It's a little way of finding out about bloggers, promoting other bloggers, and , well, it's a bit of fun. Thanks, Laney!

I've been making some earrings for a challenge and working on my BSBP reveal, so I thought I'd take a moment to finally fill this out. Enjoy!

So here goes. Laney asked me these questions:

 

1.  Are you tidy or untidy when you are working on your craft?

Bit of both, really. There is method to the madness that is my supply stash, but I don't have a craft room. I have to put my tools and beads away after I use them every day, so I don't make too much of a mess. The box my supplies are in IS a mess.

2.  What is your favourite colour?

I have a few. My favourites have always been blue, black, and green (especially combinations of blue and black of black and green!). I'm starting to love other colours and will use any colour in my designs. Orange and purple are coming to mind, and I'm using more white and earth tones.

 

3.  What is it that inspires the craft that you do?

The need to do it. I find the materials inspiring and making something with them very satisfying. It's my creative outlet, plus I love beads. I find nature inspiring, most of all, colour, and the quirks of what is or isn't beautiful. I'm drawn to mixed media as well, and find that style inspiring.

 

4.  Are you a night owl or a morning lark?

I can be both.

 

5.  Who do you admire and why?

I admire all sorts of people. I'm a shy people lover. I admire people who are good at what they do and people who tried very hard to get there.

6.  What is your favourite meal?

I'm not a favourite meal kind of person. I like Italian food, oriental food...my hubby and I do a lot of cooking. But mostly him :)

 

7.  Where would you like to live, anywhere in the world and if money was no object.

Very tough question. I love beautiful remote places. I always felt I could live out in the Scottish Highlands in one of those old stone houses. Somewhere I could go on remote walks would be nice.

 

8.  If you could be an animal for the day, which one and why?

Not sure about that! You expect me to say a bunny, don't you? :)

 

9.  If you could choose any time in history to live, which era and why?

I used to think I was born a couple hundred years late. I love craftsmanship and working with my hands and simple life (ehem, internet...). But I love the freedoms we have today.

 

10.  How do you start your craft/piece of art, with sketches or just get on with it?

I get on with it. I very rarely sketch something. I shuffle the beads around or get a mental picture. I go with what feels and looks right with some thought about the interest of the materials.

 

11.  Do you have a favourite artist and why?

Many, many. I'm eclectic, but I have favourite artists in different styles. Ivona Posavi PŠak for wirework, Luthien Thye for assemblage, Mary Anne Melo for that other-worldy-middle earth style. There are many artists I admire daily.

 

And there you have it! Apparently I'm supposed to nominate some bloggers, but I'll have to do that bit later.

 

The rules of the award are as follows..
- List 11 random facts about yourself

- Answer the 11 questions which are given to you by your nominator

- Ask 11 questions for all the bloggers that you nominate to win the award

- Nominate 9 bloggers with less than 200 followers to win the award

- Go to each of the nominees' pages to inform them about their nomination

- Thank the blogger who nominated you by mentioning them and linking their blog in your post

 

Tree of life

I don't know why I didn't try these sooner. These tree pendants are so fun to make. The possibilities are endless! And that's one of the things I love about wirework. I feel challenged to keep making, to keeping finding out what can be made, what you can do with wire...

 

This is the second tree of life pendant I've made. It's wire wrapped in copper on a hammered base. I used peridot chips for the leaves and teeny tiny garnets for the apples. There are little apples peeking out from the leaves, and even a little one at the top of the tree.

I like how this one turned out and will hopefully make one or two more. I only have so many of those little garnets though! This one went in my shop today.

And in other news, it's the weekend! I received a large order of clay in the mail yesterday (well, it was large for me!). I'm hoping to make a few things to stock up my shop this weekend, including some of my Hare Jumping Over the Moon pendants. We'll see!

Have a great weekend!

That long?

Has it really been 3 weeks since I last blogged? They say time flies when you're having fun...And despite the sudden cold snap in weather, I have been! I've been making lots of new polymer clay beads for my shop, and it's going wonderfully.

I've had some talented customers grace my shop and love seeing what they make with my beads. My new Facebook page has seen a lot of activity lately, too. I am grateful for all the people who take the time to peek at my page and share in my passion.

And now that the shop is stocked (or it was this morning!), I have some time to play with beads myself. I have no shortage of inspiring beads having received some from my partner, Marcia from The Alternative Foundry, in the 7th BSBP and my talented friend in France, Solange from Ahowin. I have some ideas for the African trade beads Solange sent me and a few designs ready to be born for the Bead Soup Blog Party®. I did make a pair of earrings this week with some handmade findings. I've been playing with my little blowtorch. It's almost addictive as beads!

These earrings have garnet and peridot gemstones. Some of the garnets are the tiniest I've seen!

Hope you're having a great week. Thanks for reading - happy beading!