Bead Soup Blog Party Third and Last Reveal

Welcome to the last reveal of the Bead Soup Blog Hop Party! I was paired up with the fabulous, very talented Bobbie Rafferty of Bead Song. You can click here to see the generous soup she sent me.

For this bead soup I decided it was color, color, color all the way. So each piece was made with a specific color in mind. And as you may remember from all the other challenges I participate in, I like to get a lot of mileage out of the beads.

First up is a pair of earrings made with red vintage beads from my stash, and the silver plated pewter squares that Bobbie sent me.


'Stiletto Red'

Next up is a swingy pair of earrings made with the aquamarine beads Bobbie sent, along with a couple colorful polymer beads from Too Aquarius, Swarovski Coral Pearl beads, and sterling silver from my own stash.


'Tropical Vacation'

This necklace includes the fabulous pewter toggle and a tangle bead from Bobbie, plus various glass beads, a banded agate focal, coiled wire connector, and a sterling silver chain from my own stash.


'Jane Jetson's Little Black Dress'

This necklace is made with the gorgeous Forest Agate beads from Bobbie, a form folded copper leaf from Missficklemedia, copper freshwater pearls, lampwork discs, green metal links from Unkamen Supplies, and Vintaj Brass. I didn't want to just attach the leaf with a jump ring and call it good. Instead I punched a second hole so the leaf would hang at a slight angle as if it were falling.


'Autumn Equinox'

This necklace is made with Bobbie's donut focal and purple Czech beads, plus jade beads and sterling components from my own stash.


'A Desert In Bloom'

And last is a necklace made with that amazing lampwork focal from Bobbie, made by Kate Towle. Also from my own stash are tiny turquoise jasper beads, tan lampwork beads, and one strand of gorgeous aquamarine beads from Lost Cities in San Diego, and a sterling clasp.


'Drifting Out To Sea'

Bobbie sent so many beads, and I didn't get to use them all, though I really did try. Thanks to Lori Anderson for hosting another fabulous Bead Soup Party. Lori puts so much work, plus a lot of love into this event every year. To see what everyone else made please check out Lori's blog.

Bead Fest Pity Party Day Two and Three

I can't thank Heather Powers enough for hosting this pity party for those of us who couldn't attend Bead Fest. The party flew by so quickly, which I would imagine was the same for Bead Fest.

For day two we were to get out of the house and take an inspirational walk, take photos and share on our blog. I didn't get out of the house, but instead took photos of things that are special to me.

Enamel food boxes with lids, a cup, and a ceramic bowl--from my uncle who passed away in February.


A lovely sofa from my husband's grandmother. I love the curves.


A rocking chair from my grandfather-it sits very low to the floor, and as a child there were many time I got my fingers smashed between the rocker and the base. There are visible marks on the base where my grandfather rubbed the wood as he rocked.



A plaid wool blanket from my husband's great grandfather. It's very fragile so we just keep it on display.


A lovely oil lamp from my husband's great grandmother.


A powder box of my mother's. When pressed powder began showing up in little plastic cases from Avon, mom used this pretty lottle box to store her rings. She passed away in June of 2011.


As for day three of the party we were to share an online craft that we enjoy. A few years ago I found these instructions for making folded paper shirts for Father's Day at Martha Stewart. The kids and I made several in colored craft paper and hung them on a cord like a clothes line and added promise notes on the back as gifts. We also made some to give out at Father's day at church with a candybar attached. But now I want to see if I can revamp them into ladies blouses or dresses and attach them to the top of mailing boxes for my jewlery.

Thanks for stopping by for the pity party. One of these days I would love to attend the big bead shows and meet up with the talented ladies I have only met virtually.

Bead Fest Pity Party

Heather Powers is hosting a Bead Fest Pity Party for those of us who can't attend. Check out her blog because she's got some great things going for the next few days. For instance, today we bust out beads from our stash that we have been hoarding, make something with them, and show it on our blogs.

Here's just a small amount of beads that I've been hoarding. In the back are lampwork beads from Sassy Glass Designs. I purchased them on ebay long before etsy was even thought of. The fabulous blue lampwork beads are from Moon Fairy, and the green lampwork tube is from Something New 4 You--also on ebay. And see that fabulous red/orange pendant? It's made from a broken Fiestaware dish by DVH Designs--ebay. As you can see I have a thing for lampwork beads!



But what I'm using today are these lovely lampwork beads below from JoJoy Beads. Unfortunately I can't seem to find her anywhere. The beads are just a bit different from each other both in shape and color. Aren't they beautiful?



I was running out of time to make something so I decided to make earrings using some copper bead caps and hammered copper charms from Melinda Orr. That shiny copper does strange things to my camera, but I think you get the idea.




A big thanks to Heather for hosting this pity party. I feel better already! Also, check out my post below for my finally friday piece. Yeah, I know--two posts in one day! Whoo Hoo!

Finally Friday

I'm skidding in sideways with my Finally Friday post because I literally put it together this morning! The inspiration was the fabulous palette above from Design Seeds.


'Leaving Summer Behind'

These earrings were inspired by the cooler (and much appreciated) weather we've had for the last few days. The onset of cooler weather always makes me think of Autumn, my favorite season.



I took a bit of liberty with the colors in the palette as you can see. I chose the warmer colors of Vintaj Brass rather than the tan tones in the palette. The lovely lampwork beads were from Whitney Street Studio, and I thought they represented most of the other colors in the palette nicely. Perched on top of the Vintaj brass domed washers is a Swarovski emerald bicone to add a bit of brightness.



I have to thank Shannon for hosting this fun challenge every week. Please check out her blog to see what she made, and maybe even play along.

This is the Story of a Girl -

I can never remember a time when I wasn’t creating something. When I was young I took up the art of quilling after my father’s aunt showed me one of her creations. At an early age I discovered I had the ability to sketch. When I was about ten my mother sent my twin sister and me to a couple of spinsters to learn how to sew. While my sister excelled at the art, I was a complete failure. So the women taught me the art of calligraphy instead, and I was smitten. In my teens I covered flower pots with colorful patchwork fabrics, dipped wire in some goo to make flower petals, braided a rug using fabric scraps, and made string art on little nails. In high school I took four years of art, falling in love with the potter’s wheel, learning macramé, leather tooling, watercolor, batik and so much more.



So you might be wondering what got me interested in making jewelry. In 2006 my mom was invited to the home of a lady that went to our church to see her handmade jewelry. Since the woman lived quite a way down a gravel road I offered to drive mom there. I was instantly intrigued by all the wonderful stones and beads, but thought nothing of it until the woman suggested I could actually make jewelry myself. From there I took a short beading class where we learned how to crimp and make simple and wrapped loops. At the end of the class we were invited to make our own necklace. That’s it in the photo above. Yes, I’ve kept it all these years as a reminder of how far I’ve come. In 2007 I sold my first few pieces at a church show and was thrilled!

Here are photos some of my earlier pieces. You can see my photography skills were not so hot, and I’m not sure about some of those beads I purchased. At that time I had barely discovered lampwork beads, but polymer, Czech beads, resin and enamel did not come into play until a few years later. I was using cheap beads from Hobby Lobby, and a lot of gemstones.





And here are a few of my recent pieces. You can see I’m a bit better at photography, and I’ve gone just a bit beyond stringing.

Sometimes it’s good to look back, as that might be the only way we can measure how far we’ve come.

I'm So Lucky

Did you know I have a twin sister? Probably not. Growing up I never felt that 'twin connection' that some twins feel. We are nothing alike. Where she is a bit loud, I am more quiet. She loves sports and hates art, and I love art and hate sports. She keeps a spotless house and mine...well not so spotless. She lives about 35 miles away but comes down on Sundays to go to church, and many times we wear the exact same outfits to church--it's totally by accident! Just today, we both wore khaki Capri's and an orange shirt.

Anyway, on to the lucky part. As we were leaving for Chicago, my sister was arriving home from a fabulous trip to Africa where her family and the in laws went on a safari. Today my sister gave me a big bag of beads from there. You can see them in the photos below. And now you know why I'm feeling so lucky!


The top beads appear to be wood, and I'm not sure about the red beads, maybe glass or ceramic. And there's a huge strand of quartz beads, more wood beads, some brass beads, and those white beads are very light weight--not sure what they are. At first I thought the aqua beads were recycled beads but they actually feel like plastic. Still they are a great color. And the green beads on the left--I'm just not sure about them. They feel a bit cool to the touch making me think they are glass. They have a rustic color and feel.

Catching Up and Bead Soup Party

We just arrived home from our recent trip to Chicago. The city is fabulous and the weather was gorgeous (a whopping 30 degrees cooler than Kansas). I took so many photos and can't wait to share them with you! I'll be catching up on the blogs and emails soon, and can't wait to see what everyone has been up to this past week.

Tomorrow is the second Bead Soup Party Reveal. Please visit the participants in the list below.

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