Soup's On!

It’s that time again –

Time for the Bead Soup Blog Party, hosted by the amazing Lori Anderson.

I’m excited to have Jayne Capps as my partner this year. I don’t know how Lori does it, but two years in a row, there’s some sort of connection. Last year’s partner lives in the same town where I own a house and plan to “retire”. And this year, while I have never met Jayne, she has purchased from me during a destash event. Then again, maybe it’s not such a coincidence. It’s amazing all the folks I have “met” through different beading and jewelry making forums and how many groups overlap.

On to the fun stuff…

Jayne has received my soup and posted pictures on Facebook, so I can legally reveal it. Jayne and I "chatted" on-line and found out we have some similar tastes. I had lots of ideas running around my head, but waited to for the partner assignment before finalizing my soup. 

I was happy to see Jayne lives in a land-locked state so I could go with my original idea to send authentic Atlantic Coast beach glass. I dug out a gorgeous piece of cobalt blue and wrapped it in sterling.

(I knew Jayne liked silver because that's what she bought from me.)

 

I threw a plain piece of white beach glass in the pot for Jayne to play with, packaged it up and went to bed.

 Well, if you've ever simmered soup for a while, you know it always needs more seasoning.
Jayne mentioned that she likes other metals besides silver. When I woke up, I wrapped the white glass with copper and oxidized it. I was so happy to see that liver of sulfur did not affect the beach glass!  Woo Hoo - another new technique!
Then I found some great copper components in my stash. 

Finally, I was ready to head to the post office. 
Here's what Jayne found in her mailbox a few days later.

This is Jayne's photo!

You cannot imagine how hard it was for me to part with that lapis!
And the carnelian thrown in just because Jayne sais that was one color she really didn't like. This is a challenge isn't it???






I can't wait to see what Jayne creates. 
Check out her blog to find out - The reveal is May 3.

Time To Party! Bead Soup Blog Party, That Is!

My partner Tracie Dean sent me this amazing collection of red, white and silver beads.

Since it was close to Valentine's Day, I immediately did a few quick wraps with the cinnabar heart and red ceramic beads.  Threw them on a ribbon and had the perfect necklace for a first grade teacher to wear to school.

The other beads presented a bit more of a challenge.









I knew the clasp Tracie sent was too pretty to hide in the back, so I had to figure out a way to feature it in front.
She also included some beautiful matching 2-hole connectors. I added seed beads, glass pearls, and sterling silver rounds.  The result was a very romantic 24" necklace.  My designs are usually symmetrical so, I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

I love the oval focal - I think it's a dyed "jade". 
It told me it wanted to be wrapped. I know it's not the best wrap - It's still a pretty new skill for me, but I am excited with the results. I must admit that I am still wrapping chain links. Yes - that is a totally handcrafted sterling chain. I'm not sure how long it will take to finish so here it is...

Don't forget to visit Tracie's blog to see what she created with the blue soup I sent her.  http://homeofthepurskey.blogspot.com/

and Lori to see what the other artists have created with their soups.
http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/

It's Here!!! Bead Soup Blog Party 2nd Reveal

And I'm embarrassed to say - I'm late to the party.
Here I am at 5am frantically working to finish up three pieces.  Yep - Type A overachiever who procrastinates and lets life get in the way. I'm sorry - I'm just too brain dead after teaching 1st graders to come home and be creative.  Thank you Common Core Standards. (but that a whole nother blog)

My goal is to finish making chain, take photos and post a new blog by noon.
So, please, please, please check back later.

In the meantime take a peak at the gorgeous blues I sent my partner, Tracie Dean @ http://homeofthepurskey.blogspot.com/

See you all later!!!

Check out all the other wonderful artists' creations.
Here's the link to the 2nd reveal - http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/
And the first reveal - http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2013_03_01_archive.html

Thanks so, so much to Lori Anderson for taking on the huge task of organizing the Bead Soup Blog Party!!!

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!

Can't Wait!

www.BeadSoupBlogParty.com

I have a few ideas for my "soup".
Can't wait to see who my partner will be!

In the meantime, I'm trying to add items to my etsy shop.