2015 Swap and Hop

2015 Bead Peeps Swap and Hop

MY BEADS ARE HERE!

The awesome pendants ( and I received 4) were made by my partner Rosa Sharrow.  Beautiful butterfly and peacock  feathers framed in glass., and a pretty Asian feel pendant.  She also included many strands of beads to use with each pendant, and a beautiful pewter clasp.  Included in my package was a piece of handmade soap and handmade lip balm made by Rosa.  Thanks so much, Rosa.  I have my design head on right now.  Can't wait to get started.

2015 Bead Peep Swap N Hop

wow, I didn't realize how long it had been since my last post on here.  I'll have to get busy posting more often.

I have a good reason to post today.  I'm introducing my Bead Peep Swap N Hop partner, Maria Rosa Sharrow.  Maria  Rosa designs beautiful jewelry, which you can see on her blog www.willowstreetshops.blogspot.com.  Read her bio for more interesting information on this talented lady.

Maria Rosa (I think she goes by Rosa) and I will be swapping beads and findings, some of which we make ourselves, to design and make pieces of jewelry.  I will keep you posted here on my blog as we progress.  You will get pictures of what we give and receive, and will see the final jewelry pieces at the big reveal.  There are many designers participating in this Hop, so you will have fun viewing all the designs on reveal day.  You might even be able to purchase a piece or two.  Stay tuned for more information.

Venison Bead Soup

This is the 7th time I have participated in the Bead Soup Blog Party, hosted by Lori Anderson, and one of my most challenging. Many thanks to my partner, Linda Sadler, who sent me some interesting bead soup, which included deer antlers and 22mm shell casings.  I made five or six attempts at designing with these items, and finally chose one.  Here are the ingredients.

Bead Soup Ingredients

Deer Antler Focals

Copper Clasp

Copper washer discs

22mm shell casings

Betel Nut Beads

Vintage Wood

Stone

Vintage Shell

Waxed Cotton

Indian Trade Beads

Sari Silk Ribbon

I used Waxed Cotton to attach the deer antler focal and knotted it through the beads to attach to the Copper washer discs.  Then I used Softflex to attach the rest of the beads to the copper washer discs and the clasp.  The 22mm shell casings were drilled and used in the earrings with the vintage shell and glass beads.  I added the Sari Silk to finish.  Ta Da!

                                                        

Please continue on to the Bead Soup Blog Hop using this link to view other participants.  Thanks for stopping by.   

The soup is done!!!!

This has probably been the most fun, and challenging Bead soup I have ever made.  What am I going to do with Deer antlers and shotgun casings?  After about five different starts,  googling deer antler jewelry :), and dreaming about designs, I had success.  I am very pleased with my design, and can't wait for May 3rd to serve up some soup.

This is My Soup!

Linda sent a beautiful Copper clasp, and deer antler pieces to use as a focal.  That will be a challenge, but fun.  She also sent copper 22mm shell casings (her husband is a hunter), Czech glass beads, Vintage wood, stone, Betel nut beads Vintage shell and Sari Silk ribbon.  Fortunately I have until May 3rd to put this creation together.  The "soup" is simmering!

My Soup is Here!

I was so excited to receive my Bead Soup from Linda Sadler.  This lovely bag was made by Linda, and then she wrapped and labeled each item that she put in it.  Wait till you see what she sent me.

My Bead Soup Blog Partner

I'm so excited to introduce my Bead Soup Blog partner, Linda Sadler.  Linda lives with her husband in Beaufort, North Carolina on the beautiful coast.  She is a retired Public Health Nurse, and now spends some time doing books for her husband's contracting business.

Linda started making  jewelry about 6 years ago, and enjoys making Heirloom jewelry, repurposing vintage items.  Check out her beautiful romantic pieces at               www.idalouisejewelry.blogspot.com

8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party

It's time to party again.  Lori Anderson is hosting her 8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party, and this year there are over 400 participants from all over the world.  Lori works very hard to connect just the right partners for this event.  Beads, clasps and focals are exchanged between partners and then they get busy creating beautiful jewelry pieces that will be revealed on May 3rd.  Be sure you come back for the party!