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.

Catching Up

Click on the photo above to see all the details.

Are you ready for the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party? This year there are a record 400 participants, and three reveal dates. I'm so lucky to have been paired up with Bobbie Rafferty of Beadsong Jewelry Bobbie and I have spent the last few days getting aquainted. Though our jewelry designs might be a bit different, (she does a lot of seed bead work and a bit of stringing, where I do mostly stringing and a bit of wirework) we both love beads--any and all beads. I've always been in awe of artists that can work with these seed beads, but Bobbie uses any beads she can get her hands on. Take a look at some of her gorgeous pieces.







Last week we went to the Lake of the Ozarks for a family reunion. It was hot and we packed in the activities. Our favorite was the trip to Ha Ha Tonka State Park where we hiked a trail that included a natural bridge and the skeleton of a once gorgeous castle up on a cliff.

View of the castle from the trail.


Remains of the castle.


Our daughter in blue, her friend, and our nephew.


My brother in law enjoying a wonderful view from the castle courtyard


A gorgeous sunrise on the lake.


A speedy trip around the lake, and a lovely sunset.


The girls getting ready to parasail.


And when we got home this sweet package was waiting for me. I was the lucky winner of
Mary Harding's sweet Asparagas pendant. Just look at the cheery packaging!



I keep all the business cards I get because they are little works of art in themselves.


Asparagus Pendant--isn't it gorgeous?

T.G.I.F. - Random Stuff

Kansas weather has been all over the place this week. Below is a photo from a tornado that hit Tuesday evening just miles from our town. Nearly half the little town of Harveyville was destroyed, and one person died when his house collapsed on him. In this economy it is difficult for little towns like this to recover.



Wednesday and Thursday were nice and sunny, and today it's snowing. Yes, snowing! I'm guessing the weather forecasters in Kansas are getting a run for their money this week.


A view from my house.

Are you up for a challenge? Join the Fusion Beads 30 Day Bead Challenge. Follow the link for details and to print off a calendar for daily challenges. Don't feel pressured to do them all, this is just a fun way to keep you creating and to share your creations on the Fusion Beads Facebook page.




And last but not least, tomorrow is Lori Anderson's 5th Bead Soup Blog Party! This is my first time to participate and I'm looking forward to the party tomorrow. Stop back by so you can enjoy the party and see what all the talented artists made.