Bead Soup is Back on!

I know!  I'm an absentee Blogger! 😞  In my defense, A LOT has happened since I last wrote.  Jobs, other jobs, health stuff (not me, fam.  all good now!) and all manner of other things.

But Bead Soup is back on!  I'm so happy that Lori is able to run this again, and I'm really looking forward to playing!

I'm off to sign up! More details soon! 😄

RanaLea

Choosy Chicks Choose Chicklets Design Challenge & Hop

Toltec Jewels, of the Jewel School Friends Blog, is hosting, with Sue Kennedy of SueBeads blog and shop, a fun bloghop featuring SueBeads Chicklet beads, the Choosy Chicks Choose Chicklets Design Challenge!

The Chicklet beads are fun little bits of beads (okay, they're whole beads, but they're little bitty beads!) with a flower design pressed into each side.  They're so cute!!! As part of the design challenge, each of the designers (you can find the list below, at the bottom of this post) received a chicklet bead.  We each received a different color bead, and had to create something with it.   I received a lovely reddish brown chicklet bead. One of my favorite colors.

I had a hard time initially with this challenge, because I felt all my ideas overwhelmed the bead. I pondered bead-weaving, treating it like a cab and framing it, stringing it with other beads. Nothing worked for me. And it's so cute, I really wanted to showcase it!

So, finally, I went back to a favorite technique, chainmaille.  One of the things I love about the SueBead Chicklet is the low profile it has. Its a nice, flat bead, perfect for a bracelet for a klutzy chick (that would be me, btw...) With that in mind, I decided to use an equally "low profile" chainmaille weave, the helms weave. I combined wonderful Kelly-green rings with simple copper to keep the focus on the bead, and added a bit of czech glass to give it some sparkle.  Take a look!

Go show the rest of the designers some love!  Thank you Toltec Jewels and SueBeads!!

Guest of Honor & Featured Artist:  Susan Kennedy

Sue Kennedy's blogs:                               SueBeads...A Beady Girl's blog

                                                               Art Jewelry Elements

Sue Kennedy's website                            SueBeads

SueBeads Art Beads                                SueBeads

Hostess:

Toltec Jewels                                           http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Artists:

Linda Anderson                                       http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Reno                                           http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/

Shirley Moore                                          http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/

Kristen Stevens                                        http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Marybeth Rich                                         http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com

Jael Thorp                                                http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger                                     http://Beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Andrea Glick                                            http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith                                                http://wirednan.blogspot.com

Blanca Medina                                         www.peru-medesigns.com

Shai Williams                                            http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com

Carolyn Lawson                                       http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Rana Wilson                                             http://Ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com

Robin Reed                                              http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Robin Showstack                                     http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/

Sheila Prosterman                                     http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan                                          http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Kari Asbury                                             http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Kelly Rodgers                                          https://www.facebook.com/BeadinBlackBlue

Jayne Capps                                            https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/

Mischelle Andrade Fanucchi                    https://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Heather Richter                                       http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg                                       www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Kathleen Breeding                                   http://www.zibbet.com/99BottlesofBeadsontheWall

Linda Landig                                           http://lindalandig.wordpress.com

Crystal Thain                                           http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed                                              http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Heather d-Entremont                               http://frugalmadougall.wordpress.com/

Dini Bruinsma                                          http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/

Lori Schneider                                         http://www.beadaddicted.blogspot.com/

Tammy Adams                                        http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog.html

Melinda Orr                                            http://bandanagirl.indiemade.com/blog

Lennis Carrier                                         http://windbent.wordpress.com/

Cynthia Machata                                     http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Hodges                                    http://thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com

Debbie Rasmussen                                  http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com/

Tanya McGuire                                       http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/

Charlie Jacka                                          http://clay-space.com/blog/

Ev Shelby                                               http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson                        http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                                        http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Blu Mudd Challenge #4

It's here! It's here!  The Blu Mudd Challenge #4 Reveal!  This time, Moriah sent us the most beautiful pieces to work with:

Aren't they pretty!  And for the record, I did not take this photo. Moriah did! 

For the Challenge, we could make anything we wanted, so long as we used all the pieces, and the focal was clearly the focal.  Everyone made some beautiful pieces!  Here's mine:

A necklace using beadweaving and stringing, and an embellished herringbone bracelet.

So, it is a Challenge, which means you need to go vote!  Here's a link to the album on Facebook.  Once you're there, you need to "Like" the photo!  You can comment as well, and please do, but the "Likes" are the votes.  :)

Thanks for stopping by!

RanaLea

Soup's on! 8th Bead Soup!

And if I do say so myself, it's FABULOUS! :)

First off, I want to say thank you to the awesomest Lori Anderson, our fearless leader, and her crew of helpers--you guys rock!!!!  Not only did Lori organize this HUGE bash, she did it while battling some serious health stuff.  But from what I understand, she's on the mend, so yay!  I so want her to feel better!

I also want to say an ENORMOUS thank you to my partner, Rachel Stewart of Blue Finch Jewelry blog for the beautiful soup she sent me!  Seriously, it was fabulous.  I know, I keep using that word, but really, you'll see!!!

First, a reminder of what I sent Rachel:

It's a garden! :) 

And what Rachel sent me:

Another garden! Great minds! :) 

So, that fabulous soup she sent me actually caused me a bit of a problem--such gorgeousness!  What to do!  I had this whole big elaborate plan...   yeah, it didn't work out.  I was so not happy with where it was heading...   That was about 2 weeks ago... (yeah, I was cutting it close...) but you know what? I am SO GLAD the elaborate plan didn't work out!  Because once I took everything apart and starting looking at the pieces again, inspiration struck (and so did exam week at school!  ick!  But it all came together.  slowly..... lol!)  So finally, here's the main dish, the real reason you're here, the pretties!  

I made 4 pieces, using one of the focals and both clasps, as well as a myriad of beads, both from Rachel and others that I added.  My goal this time was to use at least one piece of everything she sent, and I'm pretty sure I succeeded!  So here they are!!!

I made a pair of earrings, a necklace, and 2 bracelets.  Here they all are:

Soup's on! 

And now for some close-ups:

Mismatched Earrings, using the fun and very light-weight enameled beads Rachel sent.

The bracelets, using both clasps Rachel included in my soup.

The flower focal I chose to work with.  I still have the other drop focal, and will be making something with it soon. :)

And the finished necklace, using both soup beads and added beads.  Love this piece! 

There you have it!  Can't wait to see what Rachel made!  In fact, why don't you go see what everyone made!  :) You can find the list here!

Thanks for stopping by!