Soup Ingredients...Bead Soup, that is!

I'm finally getting around to showing you the beadsoup I received and sent for this Fall's Bead Soup Blog Party extravanganza!

As I mentioned before, my partner is Mary Ellen Parker of BeeTreebym.e.  She creates wonderful nature-themed polymer clay components.  Without further ado, here are the selections she sent...

Lots of copper beads (those smooth round ones are going to be enameled, I have a feeling!), an African brass leaf bead, faceted quartz (I think), shiny smooth fancy jasper nuggets, Swarovski crystals in a lovely copper shade...check out the tiny ones strung on matching thread, a handmade clasp from MissFicklemedia, and the focal, a lovely polymer clay leaf pendant.  My photo does not do it justice!  I have some ideas, but actually haven't started work on anything yet...stay tuned!

Wait....what did I send to Mary Ellen, you may be wondering?

I started with the focal - a mixed metals pendant that I created with brass, copper, a brass stamping, and leadfree solder.  I decided the clasp would be in the same style, with a swirled hook in brass added to the mix. 

With a mixed metal focal and clasp, my color pallette was wide open...I had these gorgeous red Czech glass faceted beads in my stash...they have a cool finish that has a tiny bit of turquoise and a metallic color, so in they went.  I decided the pyrite lozenges would complement the rest nicely.   I had already decided to enamel a few beads to go with and I think these turned out great. Last, but not least are some turquoise Czech glass beads with a metallic "Picasso" finish. 

I can't wait to see what Mary Ellen creates with them!  Please remember to mark your calendars for the big reveal on September 17th!

Thanks for stopping by!