Blog Hopping and a Look Back

I'm still working through the bead soup blogs. It's been a long hop! 210 blogs? Crazy! But that means there is a LOT of eye candy out there for me to drool over :) If you haven't seen mine check out both of my necklaces here.

It'll be another day at least before I get through all of them - so if I haven't been to your blog yet don't be offended! Life is just crazy right now :P

Before I go back to looking at blogs - but I wanted to share with you the piece that I made during my first Bead Soup Blog Hop!

Spring Bubbles Necklace

One last thing and then I'm off to look at blogs! Have you ever heard of Swagbucks? It's a search engine that allows you to earn points randomly as you search, the more you search, the more likely you are to earn points! Yes, it's real. I've been on there for around 6 months now and I've earned enough points to get multiple Amazon Gift Cards. There are a lot of other things you can redeem points for, but that is by far my favorite. How does this tie-in to the Bead Soup? As I've been visiting blogs I'm using the swag bucks search bar to look for the blog titles instead of clicking on the links. Yah, it's slowing me down some, but I've earned a whole bunch of points! If your interested in checking it out I would ask that you use my referral link so that I can get points for pointing you to the site. Now...where's my coffee? It's time to blog hop!

Doing the Bead Soup Hop

There's been a lot of build up on my blog, and others, for the big Bead Soup Blog Hop. Well, I'm doing my best! I've had my tea, and coffee, and a smoothie, and even some water! Yet there is still SO FAR to go... I counted my cheat sheet and I've only visited 64 of the 209 other blogs so far.

I've been going through the list from 1-210 in order, but I'm also responding to any comments I get :) So I am going a little out of order for those. Its nice having it all printed up so I can cross things out, circle ones that hadn't posted yet (one because she's having a baby!). I wanted to have more done by now, but things have been a little busy. I'll talk about that more tomorrow.

That's just a quick sneak peek of what tomorrow's all about! It's going to be a busy day. I have news to share, a giveaway to host, and a surprise! I might not get it up until later in the day because I have two doctors appointments for myself and to take someone else to (nothing worrisome on my part, routine). I'm excited though and you should be too! You'll see what the orange has to do with it tomorrow :)

Handarbeitsrkam's Giveaway Winner!

It has been a busy week for me, but I'm happy to report that my brother seems to be doing better and we are hoping he'll go home from the hospital today :) I'll be heading out to see him later. First I want to say make sure you don't miss my blog soup reveal and now, let's announce the winner!

There were 30 entries this time so...

And number 15 is...

Congrats Deci!

It took me a minute to place the name with the blogger/artist, but the one thing I knew right away is that Deci has entered into several of my giveaways now, and she's submitted multiple entries each time! So I think it's only fair that she has gotten to win one! Now to visit her blog and tell you a little bit more about who she is.

Her blog is called Gem Trails

And she's one of my fellow Bead Soup participants! Here's a peek:

Make sure you head over to her blog and see the rest of this wonderful piece!

Congrats again Deci!

Everyone else - check back on Monday for the next Giveaway, and all through the week to see what I'm up to! Just a hint, I'll be doing a big sale soon! I think you guys will be really excited by it :)

yes, everything - even metal

mary jane dodd

'everything has rhythm. everything dances.'

~ maya angelou

~~~ 

enjoy blog hopping this weekend for the huge (210 participant) bead soup party hosted by lori anderson of pretty things... follow this link for the list -

Fast for Friday!

Today's post is just a quick flyby! My brother has cancer and he had his first chemo treatment this week and his in the hospital right now with what seems to be normal complications. They will be keeping him through tomorrow as of right now. So....I'm just throwing up a quick post before I head back to the hospital to be with him!

First - today is your LAST chance to enter this week's giveaway! Make sure you head over and drop off your entries. 

Tomorrow is the big bead soup reveal! I'll be putting together a post tonight to go up first thing tomorrow. I'll also be posting about the winner at some point. I'm really excited! See you then :)

Sneak Peeks

I'm so excited right now I'm practically bursting! I'm going to have all kinds of new pieces up, and very soon too. I already posted a sneak peek of my first bead soup piece and now I have a sneak peek for you of the second one, and my project for the Etsy Bead Weavers!

You know copper is really underrated as a "bling" metal. I think of bling and I think silver or gold, but I made this piece and it suddenly hit me that copper can be just as bright! Not that this piece is over the top, I think the balance between the dark browns and the bright copper is actually perfect. I can hardly wait to show you!

I'm working on an 80's piece right now - and I'm loving it! I plan on submitting my bracelet for the current Etsy Bead Weavers contest, but I'm going to run with the theme and make a necklace, earrings, and rings too! Hey - when you've got a something your enjoying - you need to run with it! Hopefully I'll have the bracelet up by this weekend as well.

And don't forget to enter this week's giveaway! 

Bead Soup in Progress!

A few days ago I shared about my bead soup that I received from this rounds swap partner. Now it's time to share a little taste of the soup! It's done, and I'd love to tell you about the cooking process, but I can't show you the final product yet! The bead soup party is on the 26th and I'll be able to reveal all then. For now...

I truly believe in evolution. Not Darwin's kind, but I think that so much of creating is an evolutionary process! I don't think most people realize the work that can go into even a simply strung necklace. Why? Because it's constantly changing until you settle down on the final piece!

This piece started out with a handful of bead soup from Shai. I separated the beads into two groups and I thought I knew exactly what I was doing with this set! So, a couple of nights ago I put the beads on a paper plate (don't ask) and proceeded with my plan. It failed. Completely. I later figured out how I probably could have made it work, but that was after I had finally managed to create something I liked!

So plan 1 down, I was on to plan 2! That failed as well and I was going to make a simple bracelet. I was about half way done when I remembered a focal I had noticed earlier but put aside because it was definitely meant for a necklace.

Trust me - that close up isn't the most flattering - it looks much better as a whole! But I have to preserve some of the mystery don't I? Looking at the focal, and then at the bracelet, I knew what these beads wanted to be - a necklace!

For those of you keeping track - that was plan 3 down onto plan 4. But wait - there's more!

I was originally thinking of using some heavy cream beads (they look like a coffee with tons of cream!) to accent the main beads. I got them out, looked at them under my desk light (the rest of the room is rather dim) and noticed that the shell's Shai had sent me are a dark brown to tan with white accents! Yes, I said white. Bye - bye heavy cream! Onto plan 5.

I pulled out the white beads and started to string the necklace and decided the white was boring. It also didn't complement Shai's shell beads very well by itself. Back to the bead box! Plan 6 was to add in some brown seed beads.

It took a couple of try's after that to get the write count of seed beads to main beads, but I'll leave it at plan 6 because that is such an incredibly normal part of the process that it doesn't deserve it's own incarnation :P

*Phew* That was quite a journey for a simple necklace! It turned out lovely though - and I even have a name for it! I just have to wait until the 26th before I can show it off :) I have one more piece to make with her bead soup too! I'm looking forward to working on that one - hopefully it will be a less convoluted process. Especially because I have a lot of projects in my bead box right now!

Bead Soup - What will it Become?

I've had the beads for about a week now - so has my swap partner - but this is the first chance I've had to blog about them! Now that Shay has her beads I can show you what I sent her!

Bead soup is supposed to be a challenge - make something with the beds that you are sent - well I ended up being challenged by what I was sending! I don't do much with pink, but while I was looking at the cab I just kept thinking "this needs pink" So I went for it! I look forward to seeing what she makes :) Now for what I received....

The full set:

Breaking it down...

I haven't decided precisely what I'm going to make with this yet, but I know it's going to be at least partially bead weaving (well, I know I'm using embroidery on the focal) but I haven't figured it all out yet :)

For my second piece...

I have some more shells that I'll add to that and this one is going to be a bracelet. I'll probably start working on that one this afternoon. I have a lot going on right now! There are 10 projects in my work box right now. These two projects, this month's bead weavers, one for me, an earring project, key chain, the beginnings of my bead weavers swap project, and I'm forgetting the rest :P And there's more in my head! I made my self stop when the box was basically full though. I've spent the last couple days working on a project for Mom and this month's bead weaver project. Here's a pic I took a couple of days ago of the box.

Fun huh?

Bead Soup Surprise

Don't forget to go sign up for my Giveaway!

I'm participating in the latest edition of "Bead Soup" hosted by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things. She does these periodically, and I've had a lot of fun participating! The above picture is the soup that I mailed out today...no you can't see what it is yet :P Not until Shay gets it! Once Shay and I have each received each other's soup I'll show you an un-smudged picture so you can actually see it :) 

This is my current project - and it's been quite a journey! Every month the Etsy Bead Weavers does a challenge, and this month's challenge is to do something for a Queen, any Queen. I picked the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland because, honestly, can really imagine me making something for a real person? If you've ever seen my reading list you know its largely fantasy, so there you go. 

Now your probably looking at that and going, "Journey? Doesn't look like too much work ... " Well, you'd be right. I started this piece earlier today. The problem has been getting to the point of creating this piece. 

I started out with what I'll call pattern 1. I was using red and white because for some reason that's what I thought the Red Queen wore. Well, I had the red right at least. Anyway, the red and white beads I had chosen were "technically" the same size classification, but didn't actually match in size. Which really didn't work for pattern 1. I really wanted to do that pattern, and had no other ideas, so I did an image search for the Red Queen. 

As you can see the Red Queen is actually red, black, some gold, and white trim. Hmm... So I tried pattern 1 again with red and black. Although this is a pattern I've done before, it just didn't want to behave. On to pattern 2! I had an idea that I tried to create (my own pattern) that didn't show up the way I envisioned it. I may still put that together at some point (after reworking it) but I'm starting to get down to the deadline! Plus I was getting tired of things going horribly wrong. That's when I got the idea for making a beadwoven heart.

Of course that's when I lost my black thread and sprained my wrist! Oh dear. Well, I finally have all the pieces together, and I'm working hard to get it done as fast I can. Sprained wrist? What's that? Ace-bandage and some tylenol and I'm still beading! 

Bead Soup Rides Again!

I'm so excited! Bead Soup is coming back! There are already 55 people signed up - and I can hardly wait to see what we all come up with :) The last one was soooo much fun!! If you want to sign up go to this post on Lori Anderson's blog :)

Bead Soup - Revealed!

I'm very excited to share with you that the time is finally here to reveal what I did with my bead soup! In case your new to my blog...here's the back story :)

The Bead Soup Party has been hosted by Lori Anderson, and she's done a tremendous job! How does it work? Well we had 85 jewelry artists sign up (incredible!) and Lori organized us so we each had a partner. She took on more than one since we had some late entries. We then sent out partner some "Bead Soup." What was in that bead soup? A focal, some beads to compliment it, and a clasp. Then we each have sat down with our soup and created something lovely!

My partner was Suzann - and I love the beads she sent me!

Creating this necklace was a challenge. I had so many fun elements to work with, and I wanted it to have a some of "me" in the necklace too! I don't usually get to work with components like this because, well, I just don't have the bank for it :P

The beads sat on my design table for at least a week. I knew I wanted to combine the components using hand crafted wire links (which goes back to my beginnings as a jewelry artist) but I was still trying to decide the best way to combine everything.

Then I hit on the idea of using some beaded beads to add the finall "me" touch to the piece! I've been wanting to learn how to make beaded beads and I knew one of the simplest ways is to make a tiny peyote tube. So that's what I did! They were fairly challenging for me because it was a lot of SMALL work. I'm used to a piece growing bigger as I work on it!

I like how everything worked out. I like how the bumps on the lampwork beads are complimented by the "bumpiness" of my little beaded tubes. I'm actually toying with changing the design slightly now that I've seen it complete and with photos...but there was no time before the deadline today! LOL

Edit (2/11/10) The current pictures reflect the minor change I made. I changed the way the focal was attached so that it hangs more smoothly now. It originally hung from it's own "link" that had several beads on either side of the hook. But the hook wouldn't stay in place and tended to move around, so I removed that link and instead attached the two side links directly to the hook. That probably doesn't make sense to anyone other than my fellow jewelry makers :P But I'm happy with the change!

Edit: (2/11/10)

This piece is now for sale in my Artfire shop!

Spring Bubbles Necklace

Like I said - there area lot of other incredible designers involved in this bead soup party,

click on their blogs below!

1. Lori, Pretty Things

2. Mallory, For the Love of Beads

3. Terri, Blooming Ideas...You Are Here

4. Cindy, Sweet Bead Studio

5. Lorelei, Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio

6. Kerry, Kabs Creative Concepts

7. Erin, Treasures Found

8. Jeannette, Jeannette Blix Wire and Metal Jewelry

9. Adrienne, Adrienne Designs

10. Nan, Spirit Rattles

11. Laurel, Rue's Daftique

12. Nancy, Beading From the Heart

13. Mary, MK's Creative Musings

14. Cassie, The Glass Beadle

15. Dot, Winchell Clayworks

16. Sharon, Sharon's Jewelry Garden

17. Lisa, Lo and Behold

18. Norma, Bead Dreams and Moonlit Fantaseas

19. Judith, Judith B.

20. Debbie, Prairie Emporium

21. Maria, Garden Path Beads

22. Susan, Kaplan Creations Jewelry and Glass Design

23. Melissa, Melissa Meman: Art, Love, Life

24. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things

25. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa

26. Cristi, 2 If By Sea

27. Sandra, Marbella Jewelry Design

28. Maria, Greene Earth Originals

29. Barbara, Jewelry of Distinction

30. Leslie, Bei Mondi

31. Loretta, Designs by Loretta

32. Linda, Bella Bead Jewelry

33. Kathie, The Bead Cult

34. Patty, Plays With Fire

35. Nicki, Nicki's Reef

36. Anne Marie, Heart's Desire

37. Mary, Mary Harding Jewelry

38. Jayne, Mama's Got to Doodle

39. Emanda, Artemesia's Studio

40. Whitney, Whitney Lassini

41. Marcie, La Bella Joya

42. Suzann, Beadphoria

43. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks

44. Julie, Credit River Art Glass

45. Janiece, J Birds Garden

46. Kate, Organic Odysseys

47. Laurie, The Mermaid Tale

48. Michelle, My Crazy Crafty Adventure

49. Sue, Sue Beads

50. Janeen, Janeen 365

51. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse

52. Kristie, Artisan Clay

53. Regina, Regina's Writings

54. Tari, Pearl and Pebble

55. Lyn, Lyn Foley

56. Beth, Sunshine Daydreamz

57. Cathryn, Chile Cats

58. Emma, Fred Bean's Nook

59. Connie, Cetta Cheese Chatter

60. Juli, Jul's Beads

61. Julie, RockerJewlz

62. Libby, LibbyLeu and Glass Too

63. Melanie, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles

64. Katie, My Life and My Beads

65. Zuleykha, Zuleykha's Polymer Clay

66. Rekella, Me But a Little More in Depth

67. Ricki, What's New at Ricki Voges Design

68. Lisa, Lucid Moon Studio

69. Jo, Daisychain Jewellery

70. Lynette, Rock Hill Designs

71. Lynne, Island Girl's Insights

72. Chas, One Woman's Haven

73. Chas, One Woman's Haven

74. Ruthie, Rose Works Jewelry

75. Elizabeth, Turquoise Sky

76. Maire, Maire Dodd

77. Janet, Singing Woods

78. Eileen, Dorset Hill Beads

79. Julie, Miss Kitten's Jewels

80. Joann, Jo's Jewels

81. Patti, PJ Clark Designs

82. Mel, Kookie Designs

83. Erin, Every Heart Crafts

84. Dale, Flights of Fancy

85. Dee, Runako Designs

Bead Soup - and More!

Sorry I've been awol for a couple of days. I've been really sick. I'm on the mend now...I think...but not really sure. We'll see :)

Anyway, I had to show off the bead soup I got in the mail - and the new stuff I bought be before I got sick!

I'm participating in a Bead Soup Swap hosted by Lori Anderson and I got my beads in the mail this week! This picture doesn't do them justice, my brother shot a quick snap for me a couple days ago when I thought I might manage to blog while sick. Um. Yah RIGHT. That didn't happen.

The bag on the left are extra beads...and I plan on playing with those at some point after I make my Bead Soup Necklace :) I'll probably dump them out on my tray and see what inspiration hits. I'm betting I'll net several pairs of earrings and some new charms out of that conglomeration!

The bag on the right is full of gorgeous lampwork beads that compliment the focal and nifty toggle clasp that you see down on the bottom. I haven't decided yet what I'm going to do with them, but I plan on spreading them all out on my bead board and playing in the next day or two. The unveiling isn't until February 10th anyway, and I didn't want to work on the project while I was on quarter brain power while sick :P

Now for my shopping....I bought a ring stick! This means that soon I'll have rings available in my shop :D I've made up two already, and I'm excited to make more!

They also had a seed bead sale when I went in to by the ring stick (and a few other basic supplies I didn't bother photoing) so I got these! The white I needed anyway, the brown seed mix has so much potential, I've already used the iridescent beads (you'll see pics soon!), and I know EXACTLY what I'm going to use the red beads for :D

Bead Soup - My Offering

I'm participating in a swap called "Bead Soup" that's being hosted by Lori Anderson - and I'm really excited! Basically its a whole bunch of jewelry artist who all signed up, we each have a swap partner, and we're sending them some bead soup. What's in this bead soup? A focal, some components to go around it, and a clasp. The picture below is what I sent to my bead soup partner, and I can hardly wait to see what I'm getting! It was hard to part with anything though, I kept thinking of how I could turn this into a necklace on my own :P I bet she comes up with something fantastic!