7th Bead Soup Blog Hop Reveal!!!

Today is the day!  So let's get right to it shall we?!  Here is what I sent my partner Tari Kahrs (Pearl and Pebble):

 

And this is what I sent my other partner, Deb Brooks:

Chris made the focal beads and accents for each Soup mix and I picked out beads and stuff from my stash to round out their selections.  I can't wait to see what Tari and Deb design with their goodies!

This is what I received from Tari.  She sent me a bunch of artist beads, a handmade bronze clay toggle clasp, Czech glass rings, and Sari silk ribbon.  All of the beads were very neutral colors, which I don't normally work with, so that was part of my design challenge. 

And this is what I created:

I practiced a new wire working technique with the pendant and matching spacers.  I started with 18g wire, which I shaped and then wrapped 28g wire to add the fine detail to the wrap.  I added a carnelian bead from my messy work table to add a pop of color to the design.  Once I was happy with the pendant design, I faced a real design challenge.  I couldn't get the piece to hang as I wanted it to.  So, I adapted.  The pendant hangs at a slight angle and the bee looks like it is flying. 

I used more of the 18g wire and made squiggles which I wrapped the Sari silk around.  Once the silk was attached, I wired some accent beads and charms to the pieces.  The one side has the gray-blue ceramic spacers and the other side has faceted smoky quartz rounds from my stash.  I added the Czech glass blue flower and the Vintaj leaf dangle as accents.  The squiggles are connected to textured large link chain with wire wrapped dangles, one featuring the lampwork nuggets Tari sent and the other an agate with the Czech glass rings from the soup mix also.  I then used my bronze clay toggle clasp to finish the necklace.

Next came the earrings!  On the right, the long stamped tiles were perfect for earrings and all I added were the large Swarovski Turmaline colored bicones and the bright pop of color with the Sari silk from my stash.  The earrings on the left are just rings I cut from the necklace chain as I was sizing it for the piece and I used some 24g wire to do a messy wrap and added antique brass spacers and the Czech glass rings from my Soup mix.

What collection is complete without a bracelet? 

I used another piece of the textured chain for the main part of the bracelet and added a couple rows of mixed beads (mostly swept from my table debris), antique brass spacers, the lampwork nuggets, Czech glass rings, and a bit of the Sari silk from my bead mix.  It attaches to the chain with a large lobster clasp.

Here is an overview of all the pieces:

Very natural and rustic.  The silk adds a nice feminine touch and texture to the pieces.  I am very happy with the designs, even if I did fight with the necklace a bit.

So on to Deb's Soup Mix.  I have to admit to the fact that Deb and I are very good friends.  There was a bit of an issue with her beads arriving from her partner, so we paired up since we were both involved with the Soup Party and close enough to get the beads to each other without mailing them.  Deb knows how obsessed I am with the Lord of the Rings series and The Hobbit.  That is what she focused my Bead Soup Mix around.  So here we go:

Creative gal that she is, she made stickers with the characters on them for each of my packages.  The beads in the packages coordinated with the characters, she is so clever!  I also got a lovely treasure chest that all of the beads were tucked into.

First came Galadriel's bracelet and earrings.  This was one of those pieces that is completed in your head before you ever set down to work with the beads.  That doesn't happen for me very often, but it is wonderful when it does!  Deb gave me the gorgeous blue quartz carved leaves and the Jelly Pins for the earrings.  She also created the the fabulous leaf clasp I used on the bracelet (which looks so much like the leaf brooches that the Hobbits had in the Lord of the Rings).  I purchased the silver leaf charm chain (which I used sparingly, yikes that stuff is expensive) and wire wrapped the leaves to rings and then added the charm chain to the rings.  I have sometimes linked the beads together directly, but by connecting them to the rings instead, it improves the flow of the bracelet and comfort when wearing it.  On the earrings, I used a couple of coordinating Jelly Pins and attached a jump ring with extra leaf charms that were cut from the charm chain when I made my bracelet (waste not, and all that).  They add a lovely bit of movement to the earrings.

Next came Thorin's Shield necklace:

 

When Deb gave me my Soup mix, I had the idea to flow with the character profiles for the designs I created.  I hunted around for something that said "Dwarves" to me.  I found this lovely embossed wooden pendant from Artbeads and it serendipitously has oak leaves and acorns on it.  Now if you haven't seen The Hobbit, the leader of the Dwarves is named Thorin Oakenshield.  Cool, huh!  I added the pendant to copper double ring chain and wire wrapped a variety of beads from my Bead Soup Mix (green jade, gorgeous quartz daggers, and Red Creek Jasper) and other odds and ends from my stash (fossilized coral and bead caps for the acorns, Vintaj copper leaves, green kyanite and some goldstone).  The piece lays beautifully and feeds my need to make charm designs!  I also made a very cool pair of earrings to match the necklace, using Red Creek Jasper and links of chain, which I connected around the bead so it is "chained".  We didn't get very good pictures of those, as the weather turned ugly this week and we couldn't take the photos outside as we normally do.  Here is an artsy, dramatic version of the necklace (Chris was playing with a flashlight and our new camera):

The next piece I designed was The Hobbit's Garden.  I took a PMC class with Deb (she is a certified PMC teacher) in January and really wanted to make a fairy door.  I have long admired the fairy door designs by Maria Grimes (Garden Path Beads), but the task was beyond my skills.  So Deb, being the sneaky, wonderful gal that she is, finished the door for my Bead Soup focal.  

Isn't it gorgeous!  Looks like Bilbo could walk out of it at any time!  The back side is even embellished with a lavender cubic zirconia!  So I had to make a spectacular necklace to go with the pendant.  Deb had given me a strand of amethyst chips in my Soup mix and I added tiny lavender Chinese crystals, Bali silver spacers, rose peach and lavender Swarovski crystal pearls, bright green Czech glass lentils (which I think look like leaves), and attached it to chain to complete the necklace.  Ironically, the chain I used for the necklace is a wonderful embossed thick rolo chain that Deb bought for me on a recent trip she took!

I used a hammered Tierracast toggle for the closure but I will replace it with a lobster clasp as it causes the pendant to hang slightly off center.  I really love how this piece came together and have since made a pair of matching earrings with pieces of the amethyst and more pearls and crystals.  Here is an overview of all the Hobbit inspired designs:

You can see the "chained" earrings here along with the beautiful treasure chest that all my goodies came in!  I had such a wonderful time working with Tari and Deb and can not wait to see what each of them have designed.  Thank you also goes out to Lori Anderson, without whom none of this fun would happen!  Now you can go blog hopping and visit all of the other participants of the 2nd reveal and the 1st reveal from two weeks ago!  Go on you know you want to!

Here are the links!

Agata Grygiel	http://inny-pamietnik.blogspot.com/
Ali McCarthy	www.northwoodscreativestudio.blogspot.com
Alice Craddick	http://www.alicesbeadsandbaubles.blogspot.com/
Amy Severino	www.amybeads.blogspot.com
Ana Krepel	http://catspajamas-dogstuxedos.blogspot.com/
Andra Weber	www.andrasjoyfuljourney.blogspot.com
Andrea Glick	http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Andrea Trank	www.heavenlanecreations.com
Anitra Gordy Boyers	www.LeeLuCreations.blogspot.com
Annette Rivers	http://mamaowlsmess.blogspot.com/
Anu Tuppurainen	http://koti-ilta.blogspot.fi/
April Grinaway	http://brooklynbeadgoddess.blogspot.com/
Audrey Bélanger	http://esperianterra.blogspot.ca/
B.R.Kuhlman	http://www.mixedmayhemstudios.com
Barbara Bechtel	http://secondsurf.com
Barbara Mason	www.Adorninglyyours.com
Becky Pancake	www.beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Beti Horvath	www.stringingfool.blogspot.com
Billi RS Rothove	http://www.billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com
Bobbie Rafferty	www.beadsong.blogspot.com
Brandi Burdick	http://www.tofallorstumbleupon.com/
Candida Castleberry	http://spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com/
Carol Dillman	http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Gebert	http://kookykardinal.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Lawson	www.carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Caron Reid	http://www.caronmichelle.blogspot.com.au/
Catherine King	www.Catherines-Musings.blogspot.com
Cathy Jakicic	http://bds.jewelrymakingmagazines.com/
Chandra Merod	www.junipergoods.blogspot.com
Charlene Jacka	http://clay-space.com/blog
Cheri Reed	www.creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com
Cherrie Fick	www.designsinthelight.co
Cherrie Warzocha	http://colorsofshae.blogspot.com/
Cheryl Brown	www.dragonflybeads.ca/category/blog
Cheryl Dunham	www.Renaissance-jewelry.blogspot.com
Cheryl Foiles	www.getyourbeadon.com
Cheryl Gangle	www.RockCandyJewelryDesign.blogspot.com
Chris Eisenberg	www.wanderware.blogspot.com
Chris White	http://dzeyenrstudio.blogspot.com/
Christina Miles	http://wingsnscales.blogspot.com/
Christine Hansen	http://intuitivesparks.blogspot.com
Christine Murrow	www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
Christine Stonefield	www.sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com
Cindy Ritchie	http://mooseriverglass.blogspot.com
Clare Etheridge	www.catseatdogs.com
Cory Tompkins	www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
Cris Peacock	http://crispart.blogspot.com/
Cynthia Abner	http://createdtreasures.blogspot.com/
Debbie Rasmussen	http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca/
Debi Levine	http://oneheartsblog.blogspot.co.il/
Deborah Brooks	http://www.fromtheheartcreations.blogspot.com/
Deborah Read	www.deborahreadcom.blogspot.com
Debra Behrends	http://www.hopefuljourneys.blogspot.com/
Dorota Żerańska	www.gdymamczas.blogspot.com
Elaine Robitaille	http://www.tooaquarius.com
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca	http://www.ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Emma Todd	www.apolymerpenchant.com
Erin Guest	http://www.renlish.com
Evelyn Shelby	http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/
Evie and Beth McCord	http://www.ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com
Francy Inman	http://www.8secondstudio.blogspot.com/
Ginger Bishop	www.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Gloria Allen	http://gloriaallendesigns.blogspot.com
Hajer Waheed	http://mybeadedworld.wordpress.com/
Hope Smitherman	http://CraftyHope.blogspot.com
Ilenia Ruzza	http://ile1974.blogspot.it/
Ilona Hegedűs	http://ilkabeads.blogspot.com
Ine Vande Cappelle	http://jewelsbyine.blogspot.com
Jackie Ryan	http://kydojewellery.blogspot.co.uk/
Janine Lucas	http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Jean Peter	http://jeanpdesigns.blogspot.com/
Jean Wells	http://jeanawells.blogspot.com/
Jeanne Steck	http://gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com/
Jelveh Jaferian Johnson	www.jelvehdesigns.blogspot.com
Jennifer Cabic	www.jennifercabic.blogspot.com
Jennifer Reno	http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com
Jennifer VanBenschoten	http://www.vanbeads.blogspot.com
Jenny Davies-Reazor	www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Jenny Kyrlach	http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/
Jenny Robledo	http://peppasdream.blogspot.com/
Jessica Brower	http://ifcreations.blogspot.com
Jill MacKay	www.jillmackay.com
JJ Jacobs	www.comingabstractions.blogspot.com
Jo-Ann Woolverton	www.itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Joanne Tinley	http://www.daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com/
Johanna Rhodes Nash	http://firephoenixcreations.blogspot.co.uk/
Judy Robinson	http://woodbeads.wordpress.com
Juli Cannon	www.beadnik.net
Julia Gerlach	www.beadandbutton.com/beadbuzz
Julie Bowen	http://blog.autochthonous-evolved.com
Julie Panusis	http://catsmeowco.blogspot.com
K Hutchinson	http://jumbledhutch.wordpress.com
Karen Martinez	http://fairiesmarket.blogspot.com/
Karen Vincent	www.swallowtailjewellery.blogspot.com
Karen Williams	http://www.baublicious.blogspot.com/
Karin Slaton	www.backstorybeads.blogspot.com
Karyn Bonfiglio	http://plussizebangles.com/blog
Kat Douglas	www.Washoekat.blogspot.com
Kate Dufour	http://mixfolios.wordpress.com/
Kate Mulligan	http://mulliganstewjewelry.blogspot.com/
Kate Richbourg	www.katerichbourg.com
Kathleen Gallant	http://partnersincharms.blogspot.com
Kathleen Lange Klik	http://ModernNatureStudio.blogspot.com
Katie Nielsen-Nunez	www.Vikingcraft.blogspot.com
Kay Bolton	http://www.toodlesandbinks.blogspot.com
Kayla Potega	http://www.teejewelry.blogspot.com
Kelli Jacobson	http://www.CreativeMoonJewelryAndThings.com
Kelly Patterson	http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com
Kelly Ramstack	http://adventureswithkelly.blogspot.com
Kiersten Kern	http://myglassbeadlife.blogspot.com/
Kim Sparks	http://beadabunch.blogspot.com/
Klaudete Koon	http://klaudetekoon.blogspot.com/
Klaudia Tóth	http://www.klaudiabizsu.hu/
Krista French	http://expressyourfaith.webs.com/apps/blog/
Kristin Oppold	http://www.yayjewelry.blogspot.com
Kym Hunter	http://kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com/
Lana Kinney	http://somethinguniquebylana.blogspot.ca
Laura Guenther	www.blueantiquities.blogspot.com
Lauren Fenty	http://laurenbeads.blogspot.com/
Leah Curtis	http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk/
Lennis Carrier	www.windbent.wordpress.com
Linda Murphy	www.bonitabead.blogspot.com
Lisa Johnson	http://whimsyswonders.blogspot.com/
Lori Anderson	www.prettythingsblog.com
Lupe Meter	http://gesmpccorner.blogspot.com/
Lynn Jobber	http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/
Mandi Effron	http://craft-o-licious.blogspot.com/
Marcia Dunne	www.thealternativefoundry.blogspot.com
Margareta Saari	http://magsinhelmet.blogspot.fi/
Marianne Baxter	www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com
Marie Covert	http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/
Mary Ellen Parker	www.beetreebyme.blogspot.com
Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens	http://www.glassbeadart.blogspot.com
Megan Milliken	www.maemaemills.blogspot.com
Melissa Meman	http://melissameman.blogspot.com
Melissa Mesara	http://one-earedpig.blogspot.com/
Michaela Pabeschitz	http://der-lamardebonita.blogspot.co.at/
Michelle Tucker	http://michellescreativemusings.blogspot.com/
Mimi Gardner	www.OtherCuriosities.blogspot.com
Mischelle Fanucchi	http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Monica Phillips	http://www.monicaglassandjewelry.com/blog
Mowse Doyle	http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Nancy Boylan	www.snazzydoodle.blogspot.com
Nancy Dale	www.nedbeads.blogspot.com
Pat Haight	http://wigglebuttblog.blogspot.com/
Patina Queen	www.patinaqueenstudio.blogspot.com
Patty Miller	http://cabaribeads.blogspot.com/
Pia Kaven	http://piakaven.blogspot.com
Rebecca Anderson	http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Rose Johnson	http://swtrosethorn.blogspot.com
Roxanne Blanc	http://strikesmyfancy-2013.blogspot.com/
Sarah Goode	www.pookledo.blogspot.com
Sarah Singer	http://singingsongsofsixpence.blogspot.co.uk
Sarah Strover	http://beaupepys.blogspot.com
Shalini Austin	http://jewellery-by-shalini.blogspot.co.uk/
Sherri Stokey	www.KnotJustMacrame.com
Sherry Baun	http://www.unicornsjewels.blogspot.com
Sheryl Stephens	http://www.babblebead.blogspot.com
Silvia Sernicola	http://pipa-the-latest.blogspot.it/
Solange Collin	http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Stacie Florer	http://www.soultosubstance.com
Stacy Alderson	http://iridalsattic.blogspot.co.uk
Stephanie Haussler	www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Stephanie LaRosa	www.stringaholic.blogspot.com
Sue Burleigh	http://sagebreezes.blogspot.com/
Susan Bowie	http://susanbowie.wordpress.com/
Susan Kelly	http://midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com
Susan of Libellula Jewelry	www.libellulajewelry.com
Susan Sheehan	http://susanasheehan.blogspot.com/
Suzanne Fragiacomo	www.glassymom.blogspot.com
Tammi Sloan	www.mybrownwren.blogspot.com
Tammie Everly	http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com
Tania Hagen	http://pelimadesign.blogspot.co.nz/
Tania Spivey	www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com
Tanya Goodwin	www.pixiloo.blogspot.com
Tanya Wiles	http://studioblog.tenebroushollow.com
Tari Kahrs	http://pearlandpebble.blogspot.com/
Terry Carter	http://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com/
Theresa Buchle	http://www.bead-mused.blogspot.com
Tiffany Smith	http://southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Tina Holden	http://beadcomber.blogspot.com
Tracey Nanstad	http://abeadifulmess.blogspot.com/
Tracie Dean	http://homeofthepurskey.blogspot.com
Tracy Bell	www.CopperGlassAndRecycledTrash.blogspot.com
Tracy Kruse	http://goldkissesart.blogspot.com/
Veralynne Malone	www.veradesigns.blogspot.com
Veronica Campos-Hallstrom	http://www.clubcreativestudio.wordpress.com

 

Bead Soup Blog Party Pre-Party Peek

The Big Day is almost here!  Saturday, April 14, please stop by to see all the lovely pieces of jewelry I created from this bead soup mix sent to me from my partner Tari Kahrs (Pearl and Pebble):

Loads of artist beads, a bronze art clay toggle, and Sari silk ribbon!  I had so much fun playing with this mix, though I must say I was challenged!

I was also partnered with Deb Brooks (From the Heart Creations) and she sent me these goodies:

Deb gave me all sorts of goodies!  A handmade PMC leaf clasp and focal, gemstones, chain, ribbon, and metal!  Fun!

When we signed up to participate, Lori Anderson, collected us from all over the world to come together to bead as one!  Look at the map:

Wow!  That is a huge group of Bead Obsessed folks!

So don't forget to stop back tomorrow for the reveal!

Bead Soup Sneaky Peek

As you know if you have checked into the blog lately, I am once again participating in the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party!  Lori Anderson, creator and hostess of the Bead Soup Blog Party, decided that the party would only occur once this year and with over 500 participants, decided there would be 3 reveal dates.  My partner Tari Kahrs (Pearl and Pebble)and I are part of the second reveal, which was supposed to happen this Saturday, but due to illness on Lori's part it will be delayed until next week Saturday (whew! I needed the extra design time!).  I am also partnered with Deb Brooks (From the Heart Creations) for the second reveal day.  I thought I would give you a look at what we sent each other to tease you just a bit!

Assortment of Beady Ingredients I sent to Tari

Beads I received From Tari (lots of Artist beads!)

Up close of the focals Chris made for Tari

 

Pile of goodies Deb sent to me!

Part of the goodies out of the bags!  So many goodies!

More goodies!  These include my Hobbit Door focal and Leaf clasp 

made of PMC by Deb

Goodies I sent to Deb, Chris made the focal and I dug out the beads!

So aren't we a group of lucky gals?!  Lots of pretty beads to work with!  Stay tuned for more!

Blu Mudd Design Contest

Recently, I participated in the Blu Mudd Design Team pendant challenge.  We are currently having our entries voted on through Facebook to win a gift certificate.  You can view and vote for the entries here:Blu Mudd Design Challenge

For the contest we were each given a handmade pendant, designed by Moriah Betterly, owner of Blu Mudd.  I used the new Super Duo beads to stitch my necklace and added a picot edge using size ll seed beads and the new Rizo beads.  I chose colors that pulled out the colors from the pendant.  I then stitched a bail and embellished it with crystals.

Stay tuned this week for updates on my Bead Soup Challenge and stop by on Saturday for the REVEAL!!!

Couch Art

I have been busy with this project:

This project I made from instructions in this book:

This book is by Nobuyo Chiba and it can be purchased here.
The beaded couch is very similar to the book pattern, but I changed some of the ways it was stitched because it made more sense to me.  I also made up the rug myself, from the rug dimensions in the book, but I have been sick all week (again) and so I really had trouble following the book patterns.  I ended up doing an odd count peyote.  Chris made the lampshade, and I made the stand for it which even has a "light bulb"!  The table is also a design from the book, and after making the couch and rug, took NO time at all!  It was fun and I don't know that I would do the project again.  The couch alone has over 1000 3mm Czech glass beads!  I had to place a wholesale order for a MASS of beads in order to have enough for the project!  A mass = two hanks which is about 12 strands of 25 to 50 beads depending on the bead size.  That my friends is a LOT of beads!  The beaded pieces I waxed with Pledge liquid floor wax to stiffen them up.  The rug was tight enough that it didn't have to be waxed.

Now WHY you ask would I make such a crazy project?

Graham Gallery is having an open art exhibit "Couch Art" which I entered. 
The opening reception happens tomorrow (Saturday, March 16) at 6:00 pm at the gallery!  Hope to see you there!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words...

This adorable little girl spent some time at our Marble Crazy Booth on Saturday, and I couldn't resist snapping her picture while she was unaware.  I think the look on her face says everything about Chris's marbles.  Amazing, beautiful, and SO COOL they just call out to be touched!  We had a wonderful show, doubling our sales from last year!!  Here are some other pics from the show:

One of my newest Sonoran Necklace creations!  I sold 3 different variations on this style at the show!!

2/3's of the Pixybug team (Mina was hanging out somewhere) with our table set up for the show

Chris doing marble demonstrations at the show.

Marble Crazy Show this weekend

Ready to head to Kansas for the annual Marble Crazy at Moon Marble Company!  Want more info?  Here is the link: Marble Crazy

Here is a little taste of what we will be bringing!

Hope to see you there!

Bead Soup Ingredients Simmering

Wow, been a couple weeks since my last blog post!  Life is such a whirlwind for all of us, isn't it?  Our past two weeks have included parent-teacher conferences, working at several jobs, prom dress shopping, a blizzard that dumped a foot of snow on us (but that wasn't all bad, we got to be home snowed in a bit), making a tiny beaded couch for a juried art exhibit at Graham Gallery (which contains more than 1000 3mm Czech glass beads), submitting applications for new art shows, and most of all prepping for Marble Crazy at Moon Marble Company in Bonner Springs, KS this weekend.  It is our first show of the "season" (which runs from now until the early part of December...can we say exhausting?).  Chris has around 100 marbles made and I have been furiously putting lampwork designs together for the show.  We will leave Thursday and the show is Friday and Saturday.  Thursday night we will get to visit with my brother, Mark, who lives in Gardner, KS which is south of Bonner Springs.  I had a phone call a bit ago from him, and apparently during a bout of mental insanity, he was out sledding (which I am sure involved 4 wheelers) and hit a tree and now has a spiral break in his leg.  He will have surgery on it tomorrow morning.  Fun times ahead for him! 

Any whoo, I am lucky enough to participate once again in the Bead Soup Blog Hop coming up at the end of March and into April.  I am partnered up with Tari Kahrs, her blog is Pearl and Pebble, and this is what we sent to her:

Chris made the gorgeous spring lampwork beads for her focals, and I put together the rest of the ingredients from my bead horde (yes it has been upgraded from a stash to a horde).  A cute porcelain owl, silver plate chain and flower toggle (my favorite style ever), Chinese and Swarovski crystals, fresh water and Swarovski pearls, Czech glass (beads, flowers, and leaves), a silver branch, plus a variety of other goodies.

This is what I received from Tari yesterday and I AM THRILLED!!!

Sari silk ribbon, a honey bee ceramic focal with matching spacers, lampwork irregular nuggets, ceramic rounds, bronze clay toggle, matte finish Czech glass beads, and gorgeous stamped tile beads.  I am a lucky beader!  Gotta love a bead swap partner who loves Art Beads!  Our reveal date is in the second round of the three reveals.  We are just two of the FIVE HUNDRED people signed up to participate!  I love the Bead Soup Blog Hop parties (invented and hosted by the fabulous Lori Anderson), they are a whole bunch of fun!  You meet other bloggers and beaders from all over the world and are often presented with beads you have never worked with before!  I can't wait to play with them!

Getting ready for Marble Crazy!!!

Hi there everybody!  Guest blogger Chris here.  I have been spending the last couple of months trying to get ready for the Marble Crazy Show at Moon Marble in Bonner Springs Kansas.  Last year, I decided to participate with one month to prepare for the show.  As soon as the show ended last year, we decided to be there again this year.  And to that end, I have been spending part of our down time (mid December through February) getting ready.  Here are some pictures of some of the marbles I will be bringing along. 

Sonoran Eye

Experimental Flower

Green, Purple and Lutz

A fun green marble

Purple Swirl

Multicolor transparent over a white core

Pretty cool, don't you think?  The photos were taken for me by a very talented local photographer by the name of Jason Jilg.  Here is a link to his website.  Be sure to check it out.  He does awesome photography of a variety of subject matter. 

I plan on posting more pictures as the show gets closer so be sure to check back!

New Spring and Summer 2014 Swarovski Colors

I love when Swarovski releases their new crystal colors and shapes each spring and fall!  I always try to share them here in case you have missed them elsewhere on the internet.  Here they are (photos and info from Merchant Overseas).

  Light Silk

Crystal Rose Gold

Crystal Rose Gold Pearl

There are also a bunch of new shapes pieces which you can read more about here.

Going Hi Tech

I am posting this using my new Bluetooth keyboard I purchased today for my iPod mini. Yikes! Very hi-tech! Chris and I also purchased a new camera for taking jewelry and bead pictures, which he has been playing with since we got home this evening. Wow, what a zoom! Chris took a picture (very clear) of my eyeball from the kitchen, a room away! Nice! He also took a nice picture of Suki, who spends as much time as possible with her "Daddy".  Nice to be able to update the blog without being on the computer in our cold bedroom!