Time to reveal our creative endeavors with beads sent by our Bead Soup partners (see my last post to see what I received). I am only a little late but at least it is done. I used the focal sent by Michelle McCarthy to create this necklace. I also added a few of Michelle's ceramic beads and the clasp she sent. The rest is from my stash, including some turquoise, jade, chain and some rusty things.
Here is a closeup of the focal with some upcycled metal I added to it. I have had this metal piece for a while and really wanted to use it. I laid it on the focal that was made by Staci Louise Smith and it was like they were meant to be together. This is only slightly in the style of Staci. It is very intimidating working with her components because she is so talented.
This is very different than my usual style and really challenged me. But it was so much fun.
I also made a pair of earrings with the Czech glass beads.
I still have lots of beads and chain left so I am planning for another pair of earrings and a bracelet.
Thanks again Lori. This is always so much fun and definitely challenges my creative brain.
Now here is the long list of other bead artists copied from the leader, Lori's blog. Have fun checking out their blogs to see what they have created.
Keep on creating,
Carol
I am participating in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party - Hoarder's Edition.
In Lori's words:
"The goal of this bead swap was to trade with a partner you don't know,
giving them a bead or beads you have hoarded, treasured, and loved,
sending them out to be worked up into a piece of jewelry or art. Each
participant was also supposed to write a note about the beads they sent
-- where they came from and why they were chosen."
My partner is Michelle McCarthy of Firefly Design Studio and Playing with Clay blog. Michelle creates beads, pendants, finished jewelry and functional pottery in her home studio, located in Port Charlotte, Florida.
Here are the beads I sent to Michelle - a collection of my own lampwork beads in my favorite colors. Time to let them go and see what another artist can do with them.
Here are the beads that Michelle sent to me. The focal was made by Stacy Louise Smith. The sweet little ceramic bead sets in the center were made by Michelle. So many fun things here to spark creativity.
This focal is very different from the components I usually choose and will definitely stretch my creative skills. So come back on March 25 to see what I and the other bead artists design with the treasures we received.
Ready to create,
Carol
After quite a break from my blog, I am finally back. This is thanks to Lori Anderson and the Bead Soup Blog Party. I can't resist a good party and when that includes beads, it is especially inviting. It seems that getting two new grandchildren and doing two house remodels took up a great deal of time and my blog was one thing that had to be put on hold. So after nearly two years I now have the time to resume. I want to encourage other bloggers out there that have let your blog slide for a while, whether it is a month or years, give it a try again. We can do this!
You may recall that my husband and I added a garage, sunroom, outdoor deck and bead room on to our house. Also I own a house and my daughter and her family wanted to move back to Virginia and asked if they could live in that house. Since they already had one of my grandchildren, of course, I would love to have them nearby. The issue was that the house needed a lot of updating so I embarked on some major work. Of course, much was hired out like the new kitchen and bath and new roof. But I painted every room in the house and managed all of the other work. There is still ongoing work to be done on the house but the bigger jobs are complete. And best of all, my grandbabies are only 15 minutes away.
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| Best grandbabies ever! |
Of course, now I am finding all the projects that I had to put aside in order to get the work done. In a past post, Quilt Finish, I showed a quilt that I was finishing for my new grandson. It was done before he was six months old. Now my granddaughter is nine months old and her quilt is still not completely pieced. Time to get sewing. In my defense, during this time my sewing room was completely packed up and moved. I have added a couple of pictures from her quilt to prove it is in progress. Yes, there is a lot of pink.
My beading and jewelry making during this time was almost non-existent. So much so, that I had to close my Etsy shop. I am happy to say that the Etsy shop is open again but I need a lot more listings. And yes, I also moved my whole bead room too.
I am more organized now but it is taking time to get back in the habit of working in my studio. So Bead Soup Blog Party to the rescue!
Let's get creative,
Carol
