7th Annual Bead Soup Blog Hop Party - Round 2!

Welcome to the 7th Annual Bead Soup doo-hickey!  Sorry for delay in getting my post up.  My son went on a camping trip with the Boy Scouts this weekend. He was supposed to have left yesterday afternoon, leaving me with all kinds of creative time while his Dad was at work.  Alas, it was not to be...it rained really hard and they decided to give the ground time to dry up, so they left out this morning.  There went my Friday night crash session!  No worries, though!

For those of you in a parallel universe who have never heard of the Bead Soup Party, it is a fun challenge/swap/show and tell/blog hop dreamed up by the talented and super sweet Lori Anderson.  Participants get paired up and they swap a bead soup mix. This can include just about anything...not very many limitations, except for maybe plastic, or stuff you would otherwise throw away!  You must include a focal-sized component, and a premium clasp.  Premium?  Not just a lobster or spring ring type...more fancy!  In turn, the recipients of said bead soup can create whatever their heart desires, as long as it includes the focal and the clasp, and they don't even have to be in the same piece!

So, now that we are all on the same wavelength, let me introduce you to my partner, Pia Kaven!  She is a fabulous lampwork artist who sent me some gorgeous beads!

At first, I was sure I would be able to create something fabulous and innovative in my sleep with these!  I mean, look at them, how could I not?  After sitting down to work with them, though, the ideas just weren't coming.  The embossed beads were my 1st priority...that yummy big focal is really heavy, so I wanted it to be balanced.  After a few iterations, I decided to create a wire frame around it. I sketched out several ideas and finally came up with this.

I textured the copper wire and wrapped the focal onto it, then embellished it with one of the smaller spacer beads Pia sent.  I knotted several of the coordinating beads on some leather cord in a teal color that I got in a box of cool goodies from Melinda Orr. I made some little tubes from some etched copper to wrap the leather with, inspired by Keirsten Giles' lovely copper work, then connected the leather section to some copper chain.  Finishing touches include some Czech glass flowers (old habits are hard to break) and a swirly copper hook clasp I made.

With the smaller embossed beads, I created earrings in the same design.

The clasp Pia sent was very sweet...I couldn't fit it into my idea for the main design, though, so I decided it would make a perfect clasp for one of my Swarovski rosary bracelets.  Another one of Pia's beads...this one with swirly seafoam-y color...was added as the Pater bead.

Here is what I sent Pia...go and visit her blog and see what I created.

For the full list of participants of this round, go over to Lori's blog... there are a lot of us, so have fun!

Meet My Bead Soup Partner...Pia Kaven!

Hi all!  Long time no post!

I am participating in the 2013 Bead Soup Blog Party - 2nd reveal, coming up on April 6th!  This is the 7th Party and I am proud to say I have participated in all of them!  My partner this year is talented lampwork artist Pia Kaven. Not only does she create gorgeous beads, she also created this awesome "cookbook" for using murrini!

After exchanging emails and addresses, Pia sent me a few questions to answer to include on her blog and so I thought it would be fun to get her to do the same for me!

Where and how do you live? 

     I live in Plano TX with my husband, cat and three small dogs. 

What started you with the creative path? 

     I grew up in Finland where you have arts and crafts already in school. I am able to make my clothes, crochet and knit, I am able to do some woodworking and using tools. However I doubted my creativity after high school and went to college to be a nurse. After few years of working as a nurse I realized that I was unhappy and wanted to do something creative after all. So I started studying arts, first painting and then glass blowing. The glass work has evolved and started to include some metal work mainly in a form of jewelry designing. I still have difficulties sticking to one thing and keep sidetracking and doing this and that. I have always so many projects going on that it takes sometimes a long time from one to finish.

What did you want to be when you were 12 years old? 

     I have always loved animals and I most likely wanted to be dolphin trainer (tough job in Finland where there aren't any dolphins) or orangutan researcher in Borneo. I also was interested in singing and acting, though my singing still has room for improvement. 

Where would you want to be in 10 years, or what would you like from your life to be like in 10 years? 

     I would love to be retired, live in a beautiful setting, either close to water or mountains or ideally both. Warm climate is preferred and I would love to devote my time for my little family, for animals and for my art.

What is your favorite media? 

     Glass and metal definitely, though I never overlook a media, I really like trying everything possible and use what ever feels right at any given time.

What inspires you? 

     Nature and Scandinavian design. I love organic lines, but also simple clean form pleases my eyes. And I love browsing other artists work and I take little bits and pieces that I love from their work and use them as my inspiration.

Take a gander at the gorgeous lampwork set she created for me!

I already have sketches and a plan for at least 3 pieces out of this soup.  She was nervous that she didn't send enough!

Now, here is the soup I sent her. I am pretty proud of the focal and clasp, as they are both fabricated by me!

Be sure to go over and check in on Pia's blog...she will be posting my answers to the questions soon!

Lucky # 37!

Wow, I had a record 97 posts for this Bead Soup Book Tour giveaway!  Thank you so much for commenting.  It was totally awesome reading each and every one of them!  I asked B to choose a number between 1 and 97 and he chose lucky number 37!!!

AntiquityTravelers, come on down!  You have won my mixed metal pendant and embossed copper toggle!  Send me your snail mail address and I will get your goodies right out to you!!

For those who didn't win, I hope to get some similar items in my shop soon!!  Keep watching :)  Also, remember, you are entered to win the grand prize!  Good luck!!! Oh, and go get the book, if you haven't already!

Bead Soup Book Tour

Today is my stop on the Bead Soup Book Blog Tour!  So, do you have your copy yet?  If not, what are you waiting for?!

One day, I was minding my own  business, doing my normal thang....what's this?  An email from Lori Anderson!  Nonchalantly asking me if I would be interested in contributing to a new book she had the green light on.  What?  Are you kidding me? Of course, I would!  Maybe it is my low self-esteem, but out of the myriad talented jewelry designers that participate in her wildly popular bead soup parties, she wanted to include me?  Yikes! Humbled, I said yes!

I wasn't a bead/component maker at the time, although I dabbled, so the bead soup I sent out was mostly semi-precious stones, a couple of my enameled beads, and a handmade copper toggle.  Unfortunately, it did not get used in the book...no big whup;)

The soup I received came from Lori herself...

Absolutely gorgeous ceramic pendant and matching drops from Golem Design Studio, some gorgeous bright red glass flowers, and a sweet little brass flower clasp.  Just look at those sweet daisies and ladybugs...what ever was I going to do?  Here is a sneak peek...

Want to see the rest of the project?  Gonna have to go get the book.  It is well worth it!  If you are one of the hundreds that have  participated in the bead soup parties, you know how much inspiration is out there! Strangers swapping beads become friends!  The layout of this book is so clean and simple...soup  recipes are easy to follow. The color palettes are totally delicious. There isn't a single project I don't want to create for myself!

Thank you, Lori, for giving me a chance.  I am so proud of you (and of myself :)!

Now, who wants to win a prize?  I am giving away some Melismatic Morsels...a mixed-metal pendant, and an embossed copper toggle clasp.  Just leave a comment on this post and you will be entered to win. I will announce the winner probably Monday, the 8th.

But wait, there's more!  Every comment entered on every blog post for this tour will be entered to win a Grand Prize from Lori.  Oh, and have you been keeping up with other blog tour contributors?  They have been offering awesome giveaways as well.  It is not too late to go back to earlier posts and comment!

Here is the list...

Monday, October 1st
Lori Anderson — http://www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Rebecca Anderson — http://www.songbeads.blogspot.com
Barbara Bechtel — http://secondsurf.com/wordpress/

Tuesday, October 2nd
Lori Anderson — www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Kerry Bogert –   http://kabsconcepts.com/wp/
Melanie Brooks — http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com
Jennifer Cameron — http://glassaddictions.blogspot.com

Wednesday, October 3rd
Lori Anderson – www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Diane Cook — www.rosa-josies.blogspot.com
Malin de Koning — www.beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com

Thursday, October 4th
Lori Anderson — www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Cassie Donlen — http://cassiedonlen.blogspot.com
Jeannie Dukic — http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog
Nan Emmett  — http://www.spiritrattles.blogspot.com/
Lyn Foley –  http://lynfoleyblog.com

Friday, October 5th
Lori Anderson — www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Brandi Hussey — http://www.brandigirlblog.com
Cindy Wimmer — www.SweetBeadStudio 
Libby Leuchtman - http://libbyleu.blogspot.com/
Barbara Lewis - http://paintingwithfireartwear.blogspot.com

Saturday, October 6th
Lori Anderson www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Melissa Meman — http://www.melissameman.blogspot.com/
Stefanie Teufel — http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com/
Shannon LeVart - http://missficklemedia.com

Sunday, October 7th
Sharon Palac — http://sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
Heather Powers — http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com
Erin Prais-Hintz — http://treasures-found.blogspot.com

It's Bead Soup Book Blog Tour Week!!!

I am so honored to have been included in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Book!  I got my copy a couple of weeks ago, and for any of you who haven't seen it yet, you are in for a treat!  Just as fun and inspirational as the actual Bead Soup Parties are!  More on my take of the book on Saturday!

Today is Day 1 of the Bead Soup Book Blog Tour!  All week long, there will be posts  about the book and lots of fun and fabulous giveaways!

Here is a schedule of participants...

Monday, October 1st
Lori Anderson — http://www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Rebecca Anderson — http://www.songbeads.blogspot.com
Barbara Bechtel — http://secondsurf.com/wordpress/

Tuesday, October 2nd
Lori Anderson — www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Kerry Bogert –   http://kabsconcepts.com/wp/
Melanie Brooks — http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com
Jennifer Cameron — http://glassaddictions.blogspot.com

Wednesday, October 3rd
Lori Anderson – www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Diane Cook — www.rosa-josies.blogspot.com
Malin de Koning — www.beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com

Thursday, October 4th
Lori Anderson — www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Cassie Donlen — http://cassiedonlen.blogspot.com
Jeannie Dukic — http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog
Nan Emmett  — http://www.spiritrattles.blogspot.com/
Lyn Foley –  http://lynfoleyblog.com

Friday, October 5th
Lori Anderson — www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Brandi Hussey — http://www.brandigirlblog.com
Cindy Wimmer — www.SweetBeadStudio

Saturday, October 6th
Lori Anderson www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Melissa Meman — http://www.melissameman.blogspot.com/
Stefanie Teufel — http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com/

Sunday, October 7th
Sharon Palac — http://sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
Heather Powers — http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com
Erin Prais-Hintz — http://treasures-found.blogspot.com

You will want to make sure to visit each of the these posts, because I promise you, there will be wonderful giveaways!  For now, my giveaway is a surprise, but come back on Saturday to see what it is...there may be a sneak peek before that, though!  For the finale, on Monday, Oct. 8th,  head back to Lori's blog, for a wrap-up and a chance to win the grand prize!!!

Bead Soup Blog Party #6, Reveal Day...TaDa!

Welcome to the Bead Soup Blog Party #6!  Hostess with the mostest is Lori Anderson!  She works so hard on these parties and deserves a round of applause, a hug, a shot of Scotch, and perhaps a piece of pie (not necessarily in that order!)

When I found out I was going to be part of Reveal Day #2, I thought "woo-hoo! I'll have extra time and won't wait until the last minute to get going!"  Not!  I think I have to accept the fact that I do my best work when I know I only have a few hours to get it going.  Case in point...my original vision for the wonderful soup I received from my partner Ema Kilroy was in a total different direction.  The necklace was going to incorporate pretty much all the components she sent...very full and heavy!

I just couldn't get my head around the lovely focal bead, though.  I mean, it is absolutely gorgeous, but big!  I finally decided it had to stand on its own.  I made all the bead caps from copper using a brass design plate (thanks Keirsten Giles!), and originally was just going to hang it from this gorgeous sari silk I got from Barbara Lewis, then decided that it still needed something else...not more beads, but maybe a cool bail or structure for it to hang from. Sooo, I annealed 3 pieces of  12g copper wire and embossed them with the same brass design plate I used on the bead caps, then wove them together with 26g copper wire.

The earrings were actually the last design I did...I separated these 2 beads from the rest because of the cool greenish pattern that showed up.  As with the focal, I decided they could stand on their own, so I capped them, and used enameled headpins in mint to bring out that flash.

Since I decided not to use Ema's clasp in the necklace, I thought a bracelet would be fun, so I chose 3 of her lampwork beads...these have a lot of metallic sheen going on, and capped them with more of my copper bead caps, threw in a couple of torch-fired enamel beads I had hanging around, and a couple of the rose quartz barrel beads Ema sent.  I wire-wrapped all the components, as I am want to do and attached the toggle.  Ema added a 2nd connecting hole, I assume for attaching a focal, but since I didn't use it that way, I attached an enameled headpin, again with the help of a tute from Keirsten Giles, wrapped it around in a rosette.



Original soup from Ema (clasp not shown)

I didn't get a chance to incorporate the tiny glass beads or even the wonderful jump rings and headpins Ema sent, but I do have an idea in mind for some of them...I'll save that for another day!

There you have it!  Make sure to go see what Ema did with the stash I sent her...I am anxious to see it myself, then go and visit the other participants for this go-round.

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs

Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs

Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux 

Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade 

Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs 

Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure 

Amy Severino, Amy Beads 

Ana Krepel, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos

Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey

Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations

Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios

Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye

April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess 

Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate 

Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads 

B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios 

Barb Fernald, Barbara S. Fernald Jewelry 

Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners

Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi

Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry 

 Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box

Carmen Lau, Little Maketto

Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine

Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio

Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry 

Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads 

 Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry

Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul 

Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures

Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life

Debbie Davis, Natural Treasures by Deb

Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing

Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

Dhea Powers, Java Bead

Diana Welte, Lilyweeds

Dita Basu, alankarshilpa

Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eleanor Snare, The Magic Square Foundation

Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs ( My partner!!)

Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant

Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs

Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works

Francy Inman, Francy's Studio

Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...

Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland

Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine 

Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier 

JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery

Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog

Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs

Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio

Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads

Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations 

 Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast

JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin

Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery

Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads

Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element 

Kim Dworak, CianciBlue

Krafty Max, Krafty Max Originals

Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae

Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs

Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs

Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs

Lennis Carrier, Windbent

Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More

Linda Florian, Lilys of the Valley Jewelry Creations

Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead

Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders

Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays

Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?

Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead

Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog

Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental

Lori Callahan, Dancing Wire and Beads by Lori

Lori Finney, Using My Beads

Marcia Dunne, The Alternative Foundry

Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja

Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads

Marian Hertzog, M's Place

 Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.

Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings

MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8 

Martha Aleo, Ornamento

 Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder

Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor

Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.  (you are here!!)

Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads

Melissa Muir, Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox

Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

Pam DeBoer, Purple Notes from the Studio

Pam Farren, re-maker

Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs

Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams

Patty Miller, CabariBeads

Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres

Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings

Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates

Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle

Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel

Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos

Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul

Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!

Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl

Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins

Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss

Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper

Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads

Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium

Tammie Everly, TTE Designs

Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs

Tanya Wiles, Tenebrous Hollow Studio

Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures

Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!

Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends 

Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess

Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Art

Bead Soup 6, Round 2...What I got from my partner

My Bead Soup reveal is Saturday, August 11.   Just a few more days!  In my normal modus operandi, I have procrastinated until this week...would you expect anything less?

I realized today that I had not shown the spectacular goods that I received from my partner, Ema Kilroy.  So, take a look...

fabulous lampwork by Ema, rose quartz barrels, tiny iridescent glass beads,  copper jumprings

gorgeous copper toggle clasp, created by Ema

A closeup of the amazing lampwork focal bead Ema created!

My photo skills do not do this focal justice...the colors are amazing...orange, purple, pink, yellow, all swirled and dotted!  It is hard to see in the 1st photo, but the other lampwork beads are more of the same...some with more of a metallic sheen as well.

Not pictured are some copper headpins Ema torched and included!

Needless to say, I have my work cut out for me.  I hope you will stop back by on Saturday to see what I have created with this wonderful stash.  Find out more about Bead Soup 6 and who is participating by visiting Lori Anderson's blog post.