Bead Soup Blog Party, Bead Hoarders Edition :)

Its time!!!  Bead Soup Reveal time!!!   YAYNESS!!!

Yeah, I'm excited.  :)  So, my partner this round is Krafty Max, and you can find her awesome blog here. She does wonderful bead weaving.  For reals, I'm in awe of her skill.

I want to send a big shout-out and lots of hugs to Lori Anderson, our fearless leader behind the Bead Soup Blog Party

Anywho! She sent me the most beautiful soup, with vintage focals, seed beads, clasps, and general awesomeness.

All my goodies from Krafty Max

Vintage Focals

I absolutely fell in love with those rectangular beads.  The colors (can you see the hint of red? fabulous!!!) I had this idea to make this really awesome 3 strand beadwoven necklace (I still might!!!!) but time and life conspired against me, and that idea had to fall by the wayside.  I was actually quite bummed.

But then I had another idea--a cuff! So, I decided that herringbone (apparently, as I disovered at Bead Night tonight, it's my old standby! lol!) would be best, as its so versatile, and slinky! I just love herringbone. I wanted to bring in the colors in the beads, so I used a base of Sea Foam lined Light Topaz seed beads, with lines of Metallic Iris Teal, Pepper Red, and black.  Then, I sewed one of the focal beads onto the cuff, and clustered Czech Firepolish around the bead.

You can find the Participant blog list here.  Happy hopping!!!

RanaLea

I'm in!! Woot!

Bead Soup Blog Party sign ups were about two weeks ago, and since then, the fabulously awesome Lori Anderson has been working hard to get the show on the road. :)

First, she has to see how many of us there's really are (490) and then send us all an email letting us know we're in (I am! I got my email a few days ago!! Yay!!!) and then she has to start pairing us up, but making sure that we get paired up with a different style artist, someone in a location we can ship to, and someone we haven't been paired up with before! (All that's coming in the next few weeks.)

And then comes the SOUP!!! Oh,  that's the really fun part! Cooking up a fabulous bead soup for your partner to play with! I can't wait!! Here's the soups I sent to my previous partners. Enjoy! And stay tuned!! :)

It's starting again!!!! :)

The 8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party is coming again!!!   I can't wait!!!!

Woot!!!!  with Wooting!!!  and stuff!!!

Oh, I need to go ponder my stash!  Gots to find pretties for my partner!  Whomever she (or he) may be!!!  :D

Bead Soup Blog Party Sign-ups are open! :)

Some of you may remember I participated in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party last year (my first time!) I had SO MUCH fun, I've decided to do it again! 

Last year, the awesome Mary Govaars sent me the most colorful and bright bead soup, and I created a set I still LOVE to wear. 

I can't wait to see what I'll design this year! lol!  :)

RanaLea

Soup's on! :)

Time for the Bead Soup Reveal!  I had SO MUCH FUN working with the Soup that my partner, Mary Govaars, sent me.  I wanted to use the multiple skills I've been learning in this soup, so I ended up with a very eclectic, but I think still harmonious, collection.  :) 

Just to remind you, this is what Mary sent:

Pretty, yes?  :)

Since I'm a bead-weavin' fool, Mary sent me some seed beads, and I knew JUST what I wanted to do with them! 

So, without further ado, here's what I did with that yummy soup! 

Necklace

I used some chains I had on hand, along with green mother-of-pearl disks, and a simple toggle clasp I had on hand to finish off the combo spiral weaving...

I used 2 lengths of a Cellini Spiral, meeting at the loop of the original toggle clasp Mary sent me.  I used this part of the clasp to form a focal for the necklace,  and I created a dangly bit using a gorgeous Blissful Gardens bead I ordered a while back... I also used a basic spiral to form much of the length of the necklace, and connected it to the Cellini spirals using a very haphazard and organic "stringy" method...

Better view of the focal-ie bits... 

And here's where I connected the weaving to the chain...

Bracelet

This is the GORGEOUS focal Mary sent from LL Designs (This pic does NOT do it justice) I really wanted to feature the bead, so I went with a basic embellished spiral.  

I used the toggle from the clasp Mary sent me, and a mother of pearl ring to finish it off! 

Earrings

These are the beautiful green hollows from LL Designs that Mary sent.  I couldn't resist the temptation to put something INSIDE them, so each one has a few orange seed beads, and three teeny tiny Swarovski crystals. (these may be my most fave earrings ever...) This is my version of "fidget" earrings. :) 

I used more chain to tie this in with the necklace, and created wire wrapped links to connect all the bits together.  I also wrapped the chain in a bit of wire up there near the top just to keep everything hanging neatly...

Okay, so these don't really match the rest of the set, but as I was pondering the big earrings up there, I had the idea to make up these really quickly, too.  And all the bits were part of my soup! :) 

The Set

Okay, not a great pic, but you can see how it all works together! :) 

So there it is! I have one lampie left, and I'm actually working on a piece with it that will go with the set.  Unfortunately, though, I had to do real work last week, and I wasn't able to finish that 5th piece.  Never fear!  I'll post pics as soon as I do! :) 

Want to see more?  

Go check out the rest of the Bead Soup Blog Partiers! 

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs

Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
My Partner--->>> Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs :)
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Me! --->>> Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson :) 
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo

Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

Just a quick note! :)

Just wanted to "hop" in real quick to say hi!  And to let you all know that the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party began yesterday!  The first reveal started yesterday, and you can find a complete list of Reveal 1 Participants here.  So many pretty things! (You won't find my piece yet--I'm in the last reveal. lol!)

Also, wanted to let you know to stay tuned for more "Beads for Blogging" goodies from me (I am having so much FUN!) and the Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month Design reveal in a few days (omg!!!!  Wait till you see what I made!!)  :)

RanaLea

My Bead Soup Arrived!!! :)

Yay!  It's here! It's here!!  :)  And it's SOOOOOOOOO pretty!  My partner, Mary Govaars, really sent me an awesome soup, and I already have SO MANY ideas!  You'll have to wait for the ideas (I can tell you I'll be creating multiple pieces, and most likely using stringing, weaving, and wire work.  :)  I can't wait!!!!) But, I can show you pictures of the pretties!  :)

Okay, here's the box and what came in the box (I love the red bubble wrap.  It's my favorite color! lol!)

And Mary had everything packaged all up in a cute bag, and wrapped in the brightest tissue paper:

She included a lovely card with details about the beads she sent, and with the most gorgeous picture of The Golden Gate Bridge at night:

So, on to the goodies!  :)

Mary sent me a BUNCH of gorgeous lampwork beads:

Blue Accent beads by Canyon Echoes, Green hollows and orange/green focal by LL Designs (I can't seem to find a link for them), and big focal bead by That Bead Girl. 

And a beautiful set of coordinating beads, including seed beads, chips, and some awesome coral discs:

So, the focal an the clasp (the 2 pieces I HAVE to use in my design!)

A simple and elegant sterling toggle, and a fabulous focal lampie by LL Designs.  It's more orange than red in real life :) 

And I've already started looking through my stash for more goodies to round out my plans:

So there it is!  The pretties I get to play with! :)

And here's a partial pic of what I sent to Mary:

The lampie is by Nancy Gant. 

Oh, a Pretty Things Giveaway! :)

So, the fantabulous Lori Anderson of the Pretty Things Blog is hosting an AWESOME giveaway!

It's a 5-part Giveaway, and you can find out more about it here.

I'm really excited about this one, because she's offering such pretty things (well, that is the name of her blog, after all... lol!)  and useful things!  She's got a gorgeous collection of beads from the Bead and Button Show, a copy of her Bead Soup book, a copy of her inspirational blogging book, an adorable Bead Soup Blog Party tote (so cute!!) and a surprise bead soup!

You can find all the details about entering on Lori's blog (but feel free to forget to enter! :) lol!) and you should definitely go see what she's up to (check out the resin pendants she and her son made!)

Oh, and I got my Bead Soup from my partner Mary Govaars! (it is so pretty!!!!  I am such a lucky duck!!!) Look for more about that in a day or so! :)

Talk to you soon!

Happy Bead Soup Folks! (and a sneaky peek!)

Yup--I'm joining in on this go-round of the Bead Soup Blog Party, and I met (virtually, at least) my partner a few days ago.

Her name is Mary Govaars, and her blog is here.  We've had a few conversations, and we seem to have a lot in common, working with a lot of the same materials.  Mary makes pretty pretty things, and I'm excited to be working with her.  She has an Etsy shop, and I'm TOTALLY coveting her Dot to Dot earrings. 

Aren't these gorgeous?  Click the pic, and it should take you to her website! :) 

I've just put the finishing touches on the bead soup I'm sending to Mary, and thought it might be fun to share a little sneak peek:

hee hee!!! :p

I'm shipping my package out to Mary today, and I can't wait for her to get it and then see what she creates!  Of course, we have the last reveal date (August 25th), so I'll have a bit of a wait.  lol! 


You can see all the participants and their blogs here.  And a big whopping THANK YOU to Lori for organizing all this for us!  

Talk to you soon!