This Soup Is Hot - Red Hot!

My bead soup arrived Wednesday night, filled with beautiful red, white and crystal baubles - just in time for Valentine's Day!

Admittedly, there are components I would not have bought for myself. But that is the point of the Bead Soup Blog Party - think outside the box, outside your normal comfort zone.
I have to thank my partner, Tracie Dean for this wonderful, ecclectic soup. I have so many wonderful ideas. I know I will be able to create several amazing designs!

So - The carved heart and red ceramic beads did not come like that. I don't want to take it apart so,  you're also getting a sneak peak at a quick design. As a first grade teacher, I dress for the holidays. So at 5:30 am on February 14, I whipped up a necklace to wear to school. A few of my daisy spacers, head pins for wrapped loops and white ribbon and I'm ready for Valentine's Day!
Rave reviews from my colleagues!
I might tweak it a little, because it doesn't sit like that on. 
What do you think???

I love the swarovski elements clasp. I see that front and center with pearls. Definitely earrings with the heart crystals, etc. Wire wrap the other focal - I think it might be candy jade. And lots of other ideas swirling around my already over-filled brain.

Thank you Gaea and Art Bead Scene

I love to check out what's happening at Art Bead Scene, http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/
especially "Studio Saturday", when one of their "contributors gives you a sneak peak into their studio..." If you leave a comment, you are entered into a drawing.

I was lucky enough to be picked randomly to win a set of clay beads from Gaea Canaday http://www.etsy.com/shop/gaea, http://gaeabeads.blogspot.com/
I have been a fan of Gaea's beads ever since Lima Beads started to carry them.
I can't wait for them to come in the mail!

Thanks so much!

Soups On!

Here's a sneak peak at the soup I'm sending out to my partner Tracie Dean.
http://homeofthepurskey.blogspot.com/

I'll be heading out to the post office in a little while to mail it.
I can't wait to get mine!

I don't know how Lori Anderson does it. Tracie live just a few minutes my my niece and her family in North Carolina.
I'm sure we'll get to meet some day!

So.... During the Super Bowl, I....

I'll admit it - I'm not a big football fan.  I just watch the Super Bowl to keep track of the score and check the pool from work.  This year it payed off! I won half-time!

To keep from falling asleep, I pulled out my sterling silver wire and made another bangle inspired by Beth Ullman.  You can check out the copper "prototype" from 2 weeks ago.

This time I used 16g wire for the base and 18 for wrapping. I was aiming for at least 7", but came up just shy. But, I am refining the process as I go. And would love to try a different wrap pattern next time.


Now if I could just figure out how to get my photos side by side, I'd be really happy.

So what did you do during the Super Bowl???

blogger frustration

I've realized that my blog is missing a link to my website. I just can't figure out how to add it it to the blog layout so for now, will have to settle for a link in this post.

www.jeannesteck.com