Bead Soup Blog Party 6 Reveal 2!

The time has finally come for me to reveal my creation for the BSBP 6 reveal #2.  My partner is Sara Oehler of Soft Flex.  She sent me a really great soup mix.  Although I loved the lovely Andy Ray focal the smaller size was challenging. I wanted to do something else to really bring it into center focus.  I also wanted to use the Soft Flex beading wire she sent me since I normally do not use this material.  The challenge of these parties is one of the best parts for me.

As a reminder here is what Sara sent me.

The first piece I made utilized the focal.  I used the purple beading wire to attach the focal to the fan that I enameled.  I could not just stop there so I used the really cute dangles that Sara sent me on the bottom of the fan, I am very pleased with the final result of the focal.  I then added some of my purple and black enameled bead and used some black artistic wire mesh.  This was the first time I have used it and I LOVE it.  The mesh was fun to use and really very forgiving.  You can stretch it and then pull it back if you do not like the look.  I am really pleased with how this necklace turned out.  I was able to use several new materials and came up with a necklace that I love!  Fun, fun, fun!

Since I was having such a good time I wanted to continue on that path.  For this design I used the other required element, the wonderful toggle clasp.  I also used the beautiful Czech beads I received and made one of my favorite style bracelets, one with lots of dangles and sparkle.  In addition to the beads I received from Sara I added Swarovski crystal and some other Czech crystal and flower beads.

This is the soup I sent Sara, please visit her blog and see what she designed. Sara will be on the television program  Jewel School on August 15th and 16th between 10am and 12pm (EST).  If you can please tune in and watch. She said that since this is so close to our reveal date she might even bring her finished design to show on air.  How exciting!

I hope you have enjoyed my creations  and please feel free to leave any comments, I really appreciate them all.

I would also like for you to visit the other participants in this BSBP, you can link to them from here or you may visit our Hostess Lori Anderson's blog.

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

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.

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

 

BSBP Partner #2

I told you all a few days ago that I was again in BSBP#6.   I have two partners this time and you can read about my first partner Sara Oehler here. 

My second partner is Michelle Escano-Cabellero. Our reveal date is the final and third reveal on August 25th.  You can find her blog at http://cabbycraft.blogspot.com/.  She is an extremely talented mixed media artist and she mainly works with polymer clay.  Her creations are beautiful! 



These are stunning flowers made by Michelle.  Picture from her blog.

  

She sent me a really cool polymer clay focal that I just love.  I have several ideas rolling abound in my head and believe that I will be giving the finished design to my Mother.  I know she would also really love Michelle’s focal. 

 She also sent me a great mix to go with the gorgeous focal.



She made me the card....she is an very talented woman.



Here is a picture of the soup I got from Michelle's blog.  Her pictures are so much better than mine.

I hope that Michelle does not mind that I got several of the pictures I am using from her blog but they are so much better than mine and I really want you all to appreciate the focal and soup mix.

Michelle also sent me a heart that she made for me as a gift. I LOVE it! 

Just like my previous partners I feel like if I were to meet Michelle in person we could just sit and chat like old friends.  This is one of the best things about participating in these blog hops, meeting and making new friends.  Of course I also LOVE  the challenges. 

Michelle really seems like a very giving and loving person.  She is a member of the Houston Polymer Clay Guild which participates in a project started by Diane Gregoire, in 1999.  Dianne is a cancer survivor and polymer clay artist.  Bottles of Hope are created to cheer up and encourage cancer patients.  Michelle recently made her first bottle of hope and it is really a beautiful work of art.



This is just wonderful.  Picture from Michelle's blog.

  

Michelle also has a FB page and you can follow her on pinterest.  She has an etsy shop but has told me it is currently empty.

Here is the soup that I sent Michelle.



Pic from Michelle's blog :)

The made the copper fold formed leaf and the enamel beads.  The toggle clasp and chain are copper and the other items are a mix of gemstones, czech glass, and crystal.  I can't wait to see what Michelle makes with this soup.  

Creative Chaos: Freebie Friday!

It is the first Friday of the month which means Creative Chaos is doing another giveaway.

Here is a picture from her blog at http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca/2012/08/freebie-friday-8.html showing what she is going to give to one lucky winner.  This is an amazing bead soup in the Pantone fall colors.  Oh I do hope win....randomizer please pick me!!!

Bead Soup # 1

I am again participating in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party.  This one is number 6.  The first one I did was Party number 5.  I had so much fun that there was no question I was definitely going to participate again.  This time the party is broken down into three different reveal dates, July 28th, August 11th and August 28th 2012.   Lori did this because this go around there are 400  party participants .  Lori takes all the participants and pairs us up. We then get in touch with each other and select bead soup that consists of a focal and clasp (not a lobster) and some other beads. We are only required to use the focal and the clasp and these do not have to be used in the same piece of jewelry.  I was paired with Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter .   I sent my email to Michelle and unfortunately did not hear back from her :(. 
I got in touch with Lori and she gave me a new partner, Sara Oehler of http://softflexgirl.blogspot.com/.  I sent Sara an email and we exchanged our hellos and have a reveal date of August 11th, 2012.   Sara is a jewelry designer from Phoenix, AZ.  She works for Soft Flex company, and you can see some of her designs here   and here.  She adores color and in fact co-authored a book titled  "Show Your Colors"! 
She has written for numerous publications and as "Ask Sara" for SoftFlex Company many of her designs are featured as promotional pieces.  She also teaches and demonstrates her designs at various beads shows. On August 15th and 16th Sara will be on the television program Jewel School between 10am and 12pm (EST).  Since this is so close to our reveal date she might even bring her finished design to show on air.  How exciting! 

This is the wonderful soup I received from Sara.



I am very excited to create with the soup I received from Sara and hope that she enjoys what I sent her. 


A few days after emailing Sara I received an email from Michelle.  She apologized and informed me that she and her family had just moved and there were  issues getting Internet access. She already knew from Lori that I had been given a new partner.  I could not let her miss all the fun and told her that if she was still interested I would gladly be her partner too.  She said yes and we have the 3rd reveal date.  I am very excited that I have two wonderful partners.  I have also received bead soup from Michelle and have sent hers out.  I will do a separate post about Michelle and our soups.

I love this beautiful Andy Ray focal that is signed on the back!

Gorgeous Czech glass!

Beautiful Tierra Cast  toggle clasp.

I wish I could have gotten a better picture of the boro glass beads, they really are beautiful.

 I do not use flexible beading wire very often and I really want to try to use some of it in my design. 

Here is the soup mix I sent Sara.



Enameled Flower I designed.



These are the components of the soup I made.

These are the components of the soup I made.

Lori Anderson is having and awesome giveaway.   Go to her blog  http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2012/07/finally-five-bead-and-button-bead.html and
check it out!  Five amazing prizes!

Bead Stash giveaway!

Go over to http://cjbauschka.blogspot.com/ and check out her amazing organized stash of beads.  She is going to share some of it with 2 lucky winners.  Maybe you and I will be the lucky ones.

Happy 4th of July!

Proud to be an American!

I wish all of you a very happy and safe 4th of July!  We will not only be celebrating our Nation's birthday, but we are also celebrating my Mom's birthday!  Happy birthday Mom!  I love you!

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
The Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.
John F. Kennedy

"Where were you when the world stopped turning"
Loyalty to the country always. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it.
Mark Twain

"Courtesty of the Red, White, and Blue"