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

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.

Bead Soup Party

I just signed up for Lori Anderson's annual Bead Soup Party. You can find the info on her blog - http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

I'm excited, yet apprehensive - I'm not real good with deadlines, but I'm looking forward to the challenge of designing with someone else's materials.

And of course, I'm stressing over what to send...
* a focal - maybe something from Powers Art Studio   http://www.etsy.com/shop/powersartstudio
* a special clasp - I'll probably make a sterling silver hook and eye
* coordinating beads

I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of Kalmbach's Bead Soup and can't wait for Lori's!

Here are a few of my designs with focals from Jason and Andrea of Powers Art Studio...

 

Over the slump...

I've had a bit of a dry spell since the end of the holiday season.  I've been busy teaching first grade, but haven't made it to the worktable.
The most recent issue of step by step wire seems to have gotten the creative juices flowing. I decided to give Beth Ullman's simple elegance bracelet a whirl.  It's made from just 2 pieces of wire, but looks more intricate.  I chose copper for my first attempt, but can't wait make another with sterling silver.

The wraps aren't perfect.
And I can see some tool marks, but I love it. And I love the possibilities it opens up!

Bead Soup

I enjoyed the challenge of participating in Kalmbach Publishing Bead Soup.  I received some beautiful beads from Beads Mosaic in Nanuet, NY.  I think they might be Kazuri.  The clasp is glass.

The Beads

The first challenge was incorporating the top drilled focal pendant.  I like my pendants to "dangle" and wanted to showcase some wire work.

Then, I thought the class was too pretty to hide.

I added black Czech druk beads, berry freshwater pearls and, of course, sterling silver.

I didn't win the "contest", but I love the way it came out. It was fun think "outside the box" and create with elements I might not have chosen myself.

If I'm ever near Nanuet, I'll be sure to stop into Beads Mosaic and thank them.