Upcoming Blog Hop -- Anklets -- Summer Time Fun

Hello.  Today, I want to let you know about an upcoming blog hop that I am participating in along with some other very talented jewelry designers and artisans.  It is being hosted by Kashmira of Sudafulee .  You can click on the link to visit her blog to learn more about her and her art or you can click on the Button on the right to read more about the Anklet Blog Hop specifically.

The reveal is June 1, 2013 and I will have at least four or five anklets ready for reveal.  These are the very first anklets I have ever made, even though Ingrid Mueller was telling me two years ago that I should make some.

It was a fun experience and I will enjoy wearing mine.

In the meantime, I wanted to share some pictures of what I have made lately.

July 4th is also coming up, so I made some new Patriotic earrings using Czech beads and African Trade Beads - not very American, huh?


I love making holiday themed jewelry, although I don't make a tremendous amount of it.

I have more red, white and blue beads on the way and plan to do more experimenting with the Patriotic theme this year.

This is a re-designed version of a necklace I sold about a year ago.  The original one had a red pendant.

I love the brilliant blue of this enameling.  It is commercial, but it is really quite nice and beautiful.

This necklace is also Patriotic although I didn't make it with that in mind.

I recently purchased these gorgeous lampwork beads that were made by Jason Powers of Powers Art Studio.

They just spoke July the 4th to me.  I'm still working on a design for them.  I think they will be a necklace, on leather, more bohemian, etc.  But, who knows, they may end up as a nose ring.





Goodbye for now.  See you soon.

Medicine Pouch Necklaces

One of my "Medicine Pouch" necklaces was recently published in Stringing and I recently sold the original one that I had made.  I really love these necklaces because they have gotten me back into my collection of stone pendants that have been tucked away for too long.

I actually made this one before I made the one for Stringing.  I used a huge variety of African trade beads and other old glass and unusual beads to make this.  It is now at its new happy home.

 This one is made with a beautiful pink rhodochrosite stone with lots of black matrix.  This one gave me a chance to use more pink than I would usually use.

This one uses a turquoise howlite pendant.  I loved the opportunity to use the red leather and faux chevron beads.  I simplified the back strap of this one by doing the back in an alternating half hitch knot.



I have a few more stones that I am working with and will post when I have them finished.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY SALE

I want to wish all of you a Happy Mother's Day and let you know that everything in my Etsy Store is 15% off today with coupon code MAY2013.  Expires at midnight tonight.

This Coupon Code is also good in my Vintage Shop.


Have a Great Day all of you!

Been Making Earrings Lately....

New earrings:

I LOVE these stoneware horseshoe dangles that Marti Conrad recently made.  I hear rumors that more are on the way.  I surely hope so.

I love them with the aztec sun silver plated resin beads and counter balance the weight of the stoneware so that they are lightweight to wear.

 I wanted to try to make some earrings that were more "girly" than what I have been making lately. Toni has one of my favorite etsy stores and I ran across these roses and bows and thought Earrings!!!

I have another pair in blue, teal and purple that I will be making up in the next few days.  I just received some bead caps that I've been waiting on to finish them.

And, I recently received some flower shaped mother of pearl donut beads that I purchased to make some earrings like the Bead Soup 7 earrings, only in a smaller size and length.

Now for my movie review of the week.  Yesterday was mine and Joe's 33rd wedding anniversary.  He wanted to go see a movie even though there didn't appear to be anything that appealed to me or was even mildly interesting looking to me.  But, I decided to go because I knew that the POPCORN would be good.

He chose MUD - a 2012 movie that is just now coming to Kansas City.  I hadn't heard much about it.  It was written and directed by Jeff Nichols. It stars Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon and Sam Shepard.  I don't know who the two teenage boys were that starred in it, but it turned out to be a REALLY GOOD movie.  It reminded me a great deal of the 1986 movie, Stand By Me.
Well, I suggest you go see if you have the chance.  Joe knows that I really liked Stand By Me and he said to me, "But it has two little boys in it and you like movies with little boys in them."  Now, I am so so glad that he didn't say that he liked movies with little boys in them.

Justice Marie - Came Too Close To Losing Her Last Week

 

Last fall we determined that the gait problem that Justice Marie had been experiencing  was osteo-arthritis.  She has it in her shoulders and elbows.  I still get her adjusted periodically to help with the compensation problems that can develop as a dog tries to learn to move with as little pain as possible.  She is also on a pain regime that includes SOD Boswelia, a holistic natural pain reliever and Novox, the generic Rimadyl, an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drug).  Rimadyl can be a very mean drug, and it is necessary that you test your dogs liver functions prior to starting it, and then monitor with regular liver functions tests periodically.  She is the second dog that I have had on long-term Rimadyl for joint and bone problems and both of them have handled them very well.  We also make sure she gets plenty of exercise in the form of two walks daily.  The vet just told me that she believes that Justice may be older than we originally thought - and puts her at 10+ years - but we don't really know since we got her as an older dog 3-1/2 years ago.  She feels good, is happy, and by all accounts is handling old age very, very well.  Some days better than I do.

Jebadiah Boone, Justice Marie, and Sophia Suzanne

Last week on the way to Springfield, we stopped at a park just north of Springfield.  It is a good place to let your dogs walk off leash (but you have to keep watch because they don't allow it) but it is secluded and you rarely see anyone else there during the week.  It used to be part of the old land fill and they have really done a good job in turning it into a nice place to get into the woods.  It has paved walks, lots of trees and seclusion and bugs, and even snakes.  My three found a snake and were all darting around it.  It was in a strike position, but thank God, it never bit them.  I got them to come away from it.  I don't know snakes but I doubt if it was poisonous - most likely it was a bull snake.  In any event, I don't want to meet another one.

And, the park provides great photo ops.

And, this is Joe, my husband with Jebadiah.  Jebadiah is his dog and believe me, they have one great love affair.  He trains Jebadiah and takes him with him when he goes anywhere and they sleep together.  There is nothing like the love of a dog

Well, last week, on Tuesday evening, we were walking the dogs about 4:00 in the afternoon.  Justice was feeling fine, scratching her back on the new grass.  She loves to do that.  We will be walking along and all of a sudden she will throw herself onto her back and start kicking all fours up in the air.  I swear the first time she did that, I thought she was having a seizure and I about had a heart attack.

At 7:00 in the evening she vomited for the first time.  By 6:00 the next morning, she had vomited nine times, had four episodes of diarrhea and by 3:00 in the morning, both had blood in them.  We had her at the vet by 8:00 Wed. morning.  The diagnosis was hemorragic gastroenteritis which means it was affecting everything from her stomach through her colon and it was bloody.  She was so dehydrated that the vet said if she had lost 10% more of her fluids she probably would not have survived.  She had 3 liters of fluids and a pint of blood.  She was there for two days.  We brought her home Friday morning and have continued the anti-biotics started at the vets, have her on Prescription ID food, but I am weaning her back to her regular diet, and I have been slowly re-introducing her thyroid medicine and pain pills.

We don't know what caused it.  My vet suggested a couple of possibilities given that we walk them so much in a neighborhood where people are beginning to prepare their yards for summer which can include fertilizers and other chemicals that she most likely ingested eating grass.  She loves to eat grass, in fact all three of them do, but she is the worst.  She also has a funny habit of just using her mouth to scoop up dirt for no good reason.  The vet also said that she may have ingested a bug that puts off a chemical that causes stomach upset and vomiting as a survival mechanism.  Once it started, it just got worse and worse.

And, now, we have reason to believe that Jeb may be going through some sort of upset.  Not as bad as Justice, but I started him on anti-biotics today to try to ward off it getting worse.  Man, as any parent (of humans or pets) knows, there seems to be no end.  *Note of Update:  After a couple of days of anti-biotics Jebadiah has also returned to normal.  Today, all is well in the Well's household.  (05-09-13)

As Justice came home the same day that Karla and Todd lost Shelby, I am just so thankful for every healthy day we have together.  

Anyway, as I told you in an earlier post, this is for those of you who are interested, but mostly it is for my own purpose of getting this into writing.

 

Shelby......You will be missed by many.

When my sister, Karla, married Todd about five years ago, she inherited a baby girl named Shelby and I inherited another niece.  Todd had gotten Shelby from a rescue organization and she was about six years old at the time.  Todd loved her and by all accounts took very good care of her, but let's face it, having a great Daddy is just not the same as having a great Mommy....and Karla is a great Mommy.  Shelby had a heart murmur for which she had been receiving treatment for a couple of years, but she was also overweight.  Well, Karla fixed that straight away.  Shelby is a tiny little thing at about three pounds or so, all hair.  You know the type.  She had been responding well to her new figure and the heart murmur had all but vanished, but a couple of weeks ago, Karla and Todd learned that Shelby was in kidney failure and because of the heart problems, there wasn't much they could do except keep her happy and comfortable.

When Todd and Shelby first joined the family, I had my previous Rottweiler, Gracie May Sugarbaker that I lost in October, 2010 to bone cancer.  She loved to chase squirrels....never caught one.  I used to tease Todd and ask him why he wouldn't let Shelby go squirrel hunting with Gracie.  He never gave me a very good reason, but he never would let her go.  Can't you just see that, an 85 pound Rottweiler and a three pound Pomeranian on a squirrel hunt!  Todd is constantly making comments that indicate to me he really, really thinks that my dogs would simply eat his dogs.  Well, I have one dog that I don't trust around little dogs, little miss Justice Marie; but, Jebadiah and Sophie do very well around other dogs of any size.  Todd is just a silly man sometimes.

Friday, May 3, it got too be much, and Karla and Todd decided it was time to end the suffering.  I am so thankful that last week during my visit to Springfield I was able to hold Shelby for quite a long time.  She didn't take too well to being held, only by people very special to her, and I was so happy that she considered me one of those people.  She laid in my arms on her back so contented and we just looked at each other.  It went on so long, that she actually became heavy - three pounds and she got heavy.  Anyway, I will always have that memory of her.

To me her face looked like a baby seal.  She was just one of those dogs that was just adorable.  Don't you agree?

 And, now a bit of jewelry!

 And, I have been playing with my recently acquired from Rio Grande

Bail Making Pliers.  I have always figured I could do without them, using mandrels, ink pens, Sharpies.....but trust me, these things are great.  They have put me one step closer to being able to make two of something that actually come close to matching.

I wear a lot of western, tribal, earthy jewelry and I wanted a set that I could interchange.  Here it is!  I love this set.

They are very easy to slip on and off.

Breaking News! Jean is Blogging!!!!!

I purposely put off blogging for awhile to keep the focus on Lori Anderson's Bead Soup 7 Reveals.  I hope you all got a chance to check those out.  It is absolutely amazing what people come up with when they are working with beads and components that quite often are things they are not used to working with and would never pick out for themselves to create with.  And, it is equally amazing that most, if not all, designers manage to come up with something quite new and innovative that is absolutely beautiful gorgeous and many times they even learn new techniques that they might not have otherwise learned.  I guess that is a couple of reasons why most of us that try it once are hooked from then on.  I can't tell you what being involved in that experience has meant to me.  You simply must try it even if you think it is something you don't want to do.  I think you will be surprised.

Anyway, I have had a lot, no a LOT, going on the last few weeks and have a lot of things that I want to get onto my blog (for my own personal record if for no other reason) and hopefully some of you will even find it interesting or worth a quick read.

Here is my plan.  Since I know that you guys come here to look at jewelry, I am going to start today with the new earrings that I just made. 

 These were made with Trinity Brass Co. copper "leather tooled" look charms (I drilled the extra hole), larger than usual opaque red Czech glass beads, and brass "worm eaten" look arrow charms. 

 The little green beads on the earwires are beads that my Dad's life-partner, Joyce, gave me last week.  They were in a little box of beads that she gave me that had belonged to her mother who has been gone many years.  Remember, Joyce is in her late seventies or early eighties (I felt it rude to ask her, but Dad was 82).  These were the only two like this in the box and I thought they were perfect in these. 














I have made some other custom pieces recently that I am glad to share with you also.

 These were made to go with a necklace that a repeating client of mine purchased for his mother-in-law.


African Turquoise, Hill Tribe Silver and sterling silver earwires.

I made the bottom headpin from sterling silver FILLED wire rather than solid sterling so that when I made the balls on the end, I could get a nice silvery rosey pink.  It is such a nice little surprise or pop of color at the bottom.

Also, great movement on these.

Here is the finished necklace.  I took it from 18-1/2" to 24" by adding the African turquoise nuggets at the back and including some Hill Tribe tube beads.  I also changed the clasp to a toggle clasp.

It is a beautiful set and the client AND the mother-in-law loved it.

And, for another repeating client for Mother's Day.  She started out wanting pink roses, she describes herself as a "pink" girl, but when I didn't have pink roses, she told me her favorite flower was the calla lily.  I showed her these red breciated jasper hand-carved calla lilies that I have and she decided that she only thought she wanted pink roses, she really wanted red jasper calla lillies.

It turned out so pretty with the tiny little freshwater pearls in purple, a larger pink pearl on the necklace and the hand wrapped copper stamens.  I was proud of this one.







Well, that's all for today, but with more to come in the next few days.

Bead Soup 7 Third Reveal Participant List

The purpose of this post is to provide a list of the Bead Soup 7 Third Reveal Participants.

Enjoy as you hop through them.

Adlinah Kamsir	www.dreamstruckdesigns.blogspot.com
Agi Kiss	http://moonsafaribeads.blogspot.com
Alenka Obid	www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Alison Sachs	www.beadsbyearthtones.blogspot.com
Amanda Tibbetts	http://www.amandamade.com/blog
Amy Sims	www.amysimsdesigns.com
Ana Cravidao	http://acbeads.blogspot.com
Andra Marasteanu	http://bijouxdemonange.blogspot.com
Andria Poole	www.Jewelleryartiste.blogspot.com
Angela Perkins	http://jeweledinspirations.blogspot.com
Anja Schultz	http://anjas-perlenwelt.blogspot.de/
Ann Sherwood	http://ann-sherwood.blogspot.com/
Anna Nordeman	http://annas-adornments.blogspot.com
Annita Wilson	http://awjewelryandbeadwork.blogspot.com/
Arlene Dean	http://aglassbash.blogspot.com/
Astrid Boyce	http://astridboyce.blogspot.com/
Barb Fernald	http://barbarasfernald.com/
Betty James Hoppensteadt	www.tybetastidbits.blogspot.com
Birgit Klughardt	www.gitesbeads-gite.blogspot.com
Bonnie Coursolle	http://jaspersgems.blogspot.ca/
Brandy Thomason McNair	www.bellavitajewelry.blogspot.com
Brenda Sigafoos	http://brenda-sigafoos.blogspot.com
Carmen Lau	http://littlemake.blogspot.com/
Carol Wilson	http://jetadorn.blogspot.com/
Caroline Dewison	http://www.blueberribeads.co.uk
Cassie Donlen	www.cassiedonlen.blogspot.com
Catharine Temaluru	http://ienmaginationsjewelry.wordpress.com
Catherine Turrell	http://fairysketches.blogspot.co.uk
Cheri Reed	www.creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com
Cherrie Warzocha	http://colorsofshae.blogspot.com/
Christa Murphy	http://adventuresofwonebeadywoman.blogspot.com/
Christina Hickman	http://vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com/
Christina Stofmeel	www.fengbeads.com
Christine Hansen	http://intuitivesparks.blogspot.com
Christine Stonefield	www.sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com
Cilla Watkins	www.tellyourgirlfriends.com
Cindy Cima Edwards	www.cindycima.com
Claire Lockwood	www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com
Colleen Vinthagen	http://www.thewireworkshop.com/blog/
Dagmar Liebisch	http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.de/
Dana Fowler	www.blogjunepur.blogspot.com
Danielle Kelley	http://imbuethemuse.blogspot.com/
Deb Fortin	www.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Dee Elgie	http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk
Denise Milward	http://milwardstorysofar.wordpress.com/
Diah Anggreni	http://pernik-manik.blogspot.com/
Diana Gonzalez	www.arteypoemas.com
Diane Valasek	http://dragonflyclose.blogspot.com/
Dita Basu	http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
Donetta Farrington	http://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com/
Doris Stumpf	http://glaszwerg.blogspot.de/
Elizabeth Bunn	http://elizabethbeads.blogspot.com
Elizabeth Drake	http://mutteringsofacrone.wordpress.com/
Elizabeth Jones	http://www.eyekandyjewellery.com
Elizabeth Stolarczyk	http://elizabethsart.blogspot.co.uk/
Ema Kilroy	http://www.emakdesigns.com/blog
Erin Kenny	http://beadifultherapy.blogspot.ca/
Evelyn Duberry	Www.ShebaMakeda.com
Fay Wolfenden	www.torchfairy.blogspot.com
Francesca Watson	http://francescawatson.com/
Gen Smith	http://gennysworld.blogspot.com/
Ginger Davis Allman	www.thebluebottletree.com
Giorgia Rossini	www.joyblonde.blogspot.com
Hannah Annear	www.quirkyhannah.wordpress.com
Heather Otto	http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Heidi Kingman	www.Heidikingman.blogspot.com
Ildiko Jarai Inge von Roos	www.sviroalkotasai.blogspot.hu http://ingetraud.wordpress.com/
Iveth Caruso	www.CreativeAtelier.net
Jackie Locantore	http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStarSanctuaryStudio
Jacqueline Keller	www.creartelier.blogspot.com
Jane Pranata Lim	http://cherryeve.blogspot.com
Jennifer Davis	http://jennifersjewelsandjunk.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Tough	http://jenniferbeads.blogspot.ca
Jenny Vidberg	http://shymessmycken.blogspot.se/
Jessica Klaaren	Http://cellardoorjewelry.blogspot.com
Joanna Matuszczyk	http://filcowe.blogspot.com
Joyce Becker	www.joycesjoyfulgems.blogspot.com
Judith Johnston	http://www.lampworkbeadlounge.com/
Judy Riley	www.threeredbeads.blogspot.com
JuLee Wolfe	www.thepolymerpenguin.blogspot.com
June Butt	http://www.onewhiteswan.blogspot.co.nz/
Karen Mitchell	http://www.overthemoon-design.com
Kari Asbury	http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com/
Karin King	www.maverickbeads.blogspot.ca
Karin von Hoeren	www.creativeideen.de
Karla Morgan	http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Kathrin Lembke	http://allesperle.blogspot.de/
Kathy Stemke	http://vintagememoriesjewelry.blogspot.com
Katja Benevol Gabrijelcic	http://slovoni.blogspot.com
Katy Heider	http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson	http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
Kelley Fogle	www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
Keren Panthaki	https://vasdea.wordpress.com
Kimberly Idalski	http://www.Kimisjewelryandgifts.blogspot.com
Kirsi Loponen	http://peikkonen.blogspot.com
Klaudia Tóth	http://www.klaudiabizsu.hu/
Krista Quantrill	www.cornucopiaofcrafts.blogspot.ca
Kristina Hahn Eleniak	www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Kristina Johansson	www.wildrosesandblackberries.blogspot.com
Laney Mead	http://laney-izzybeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Lara Lutrick	http://www.lutrick.blogspot.com/
Laura Guenther	www.blueantiquities.blogspot.com
Lauren Potts	www.lpsjewelry.blogspot.com
Laurie Vyselaar	www.Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Leah Tees	www.mybeadylittleeyes.blogspot.ca
Lena Adams	http://mommaslilbirdiesblog.blogspot.com
Lesley Watt	www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Leslie Wayment	www.aabeadsonline.com/blog/
LiliKrist	http://pcbylik.blogspot.com/
Linda Kropp	http://lindasartbarn.blogspot.com/
Linda Newnham	http://www.earth-shine.co.uk/
Linda Younkman	www.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com
Lisa Boucher	http://lisasclayhappenings.blogspot.com/
Lizzie Clarke	www.theneedtobead.blogspot.com
Lora Bright	http://fandangling.wordpress.com/
Lorelle McIntyre	http://beadyart.blogspot.com.au
Lori Anderson	www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Lori Finney	http://lori-finney.blogspot.ca/
Lucie Bouvier	http://www.carlosbeadstore.com/blog/
Malin de Koning	http://beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.se
Marina Dobrynina	http://savonfeutre.blogspot.fr/
Marina Kosovic	http://machoopko-design.blogspot.com/
Marion Simmons	http://www.shadetreejewelry.com/blog.html
Marita Suominen	http://momentofjewelry.blogspot.fi/
Marjolein Trewavas	http://roomforchangemeuk.blogspot.co.uk/
Marsela Schroth	www.marselita.de
Martha Aleo	www.ornamento.wordpress.com
Mary Govaars	www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Mary K McGraw	http://mkaymac.blogspot.com/
Maybeline Tay	http://thejewelrylarder.blogspot.sg/
Mea-B. Uebler	www.glasorakel.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger	www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Menka Gupta	http://menkag.blogspot.com
Merja Sundström	http://suntsan.blogspot.fi/
Merja Syrjämäki	http://helmiriippuvuus.blogspot.fi/
Michelle Buettner	http://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Mischelle Fanucchi Michelle Escano	www.cabbycraft.blogspot.com
Michelle Wigginton	http://adornedonadelaide.blogspot.ca/
Milla Hope	www.Lbcreativeart.com
Miranda Ackerely Mowse Doyle	www.mirandack.com http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Mrs M Makes	www.mrsmmakes.wordpress.com
Nan Smith	www.wirednan.blogspot.com
Natalie Davidson	http://northshoredays.blogspot.co.nz/
Natalie Moten	http://runningoutofthread.blogspot.com/
Natascha Marty	www.sommerlicht.ch
Nikki Banham-Hall	http://jewellerymakingblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Noemi Baena	http://blog.noemibaena.com/
Norma Turvey	http://moonlitfantaseas.blogspot.com
Pam DeBoer	http://pamelas-studio.blogspot.com/
Pam Hurst	www.pamhurst.blogspot.com
Patti Pruhs	http://threebeadsandastring.blogspot.com/
Penny Houghton	http://www.smellynelly.blogspot.com.au/
Penny Mills	www.cobblestone-lane.blogspot.com
Rachel Van-Walsh	www.balancedcrafts.com/blog
Rebecca Sirevaag	www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Regina Santerre	http://reginaswritings.blogspot.com/
Regina Wood	http://www.gina-design.blogspot.com
Roberta Fauntroy	www.thevirtualbeadsociety.wordpress.com
Rosanagh Watson Rose Johnson	http://ring-a-ring-a-rosie.blogspot.co.uk http://swtrosethorn.blogspot.com
Rosemary Cheslock	www.glasseyebutterfly.tumblr.com
Rossana De Gaspari	http://rdegas.blogspot.com
Sabine Dittrich	www.perlendschungel.blogspot.com
Sam Waghorn	http://palemooncreations.tumblr.com/
Sandi James	http://www.dobedobeaddo.blogspot.com/
Sandra McGriff	http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Sandra Wollberg	http://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.com/
Sandra Young	http://gypsyroadbeads.blogspot.ca/
Shai Williams	http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Sharon Palac	www.sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
Sierra Barrett	http://giraffecanhas.wordpress.com/
Silke Gröber	http://just-beads.blogspot.com
Siobhán Keogh	http://vovsjewellery.blogspot.ie/
Stefanie Teufel	http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com
Stephanie Stamper	www.Skwds.blogspot.com
Sue Hamel	http://cardandjewelrycorner.blogspot.com/
Sue Rennie	http://moonandsevenstars.blogspot.co.uk/
Susan Kennedy	www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Susan McClelland	http://mistheword12.wordpress.com
Susanna Lehto	http://othellehto.blogspot.fi/
Suse Stelljes	www.pearlify.blogspot.de
Susie Hibdon	http://vintagesusieandwings.blogspot.com
Suzann Sladcik Wilson	www.BeadphoriaBlog.com
Tara Plote	http://newbiebeader.blogspot.com/
Terri G.	http://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/
Terry Carter	http://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com/
Terry Matuszyk	http://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com/
Theresa Frank	http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/
Tina Bosh	http://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/
Tina Noonan	www.wingedimp.blogspot.com
Toltec Jewels	www.JewelSchoolFriends.com
	Facebook Participants Audrey Allen https://www.facebook.com/adallen07 Cindy Wimmer Muse https://www.facebook.com/mritech813 Cynthia O'Toole https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.otoole Deb Floros https://www.facebook.com/deb.floros Debbie Jensen https://www.facebook.com/debbie.jensen.984 Erin Honeycutt https://www.facebook.com/erin.honeycutt1 Kaushambi Shah https://www.facebook.com/kaushambi.shah Lisa Lloyd Harrison https://www.facebook.com/lisa.lloydharrison Mary Jane Tanner https://www.facebook.com/mary.j.tanner Valerie Tilghman https://www.facebook.com/valerie.tilghman

I Did It Again.......

I am now finished hopping through the 2nd Reveal of Bead Soup 7.  Wow, what a journey and a treat that was.  The talent among our group is absolutely amazing.  I was so proud to be a part of it.

I made one necklace that seemed to get a lot of positive feedback using Jelveh's orange coral and green tagua nut button soup.  Since I'm keeping that one for myself (the first is always special, you know), but since I enjoyed making it so much, I am now making others in other color combinations and material combinations.

Anyway, this one is now listed in the Etsy shop.  I hope you like it.

Here is my second one....made with the same African turquoise disc beads as I used on the sides of the first one, but this time used flat as the disc beads, along with dyed red coral nugget beads and red coral glass beads.  Everything else is basically the same.

Well, the shapes are a bit different because I have a terrible time trying to make two of anything the same - took me a long time to be able to make earrings because they have to be made in pairs.  I love the turquoise and the coral in this one because they are hand cut and more of a rough hewn texture and the colors are wonderful.  Greens and browns, just beautiful.

Bead Soup 7 - My Day To Reveal

I am so excited that it is finally the second reveal day for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup 7 Blog Hop Party.  This is a long post, but these posts are long because there is so much to share.  This is a very important event.  Lori has been ill and this is a huge undertaking for her and we are all so appreciative of all she does for us.  Lori - you are my hero!  So sit back and enjoy. 

This is my fourth time to participate and my partner this time is the very talented lamp work artist Jelveh Jaferian Johnson.  She made me some of the most beautiful lamp work beads - lots of them.  They were beautiful and I loved the greens and sandy mother of pearl colors in them - the challenge they presented for me was working with beads of their large size.  They are the kind of beads where a little goes a long way - at least for me - as I am more comfortable working with beads of a smaller size.  Those of you that make components and beads for me on a regular basis will know that I am always asking for "something smaller".

Here is a picture of what I received from her.  I used most of what she sent
me.  I did not use the silver bead caps, the silver dangles, heart pendant, gold oval beads and small silver clasp.

From the rest, I made three necklaces, a braclet, and a pair of earrings.








First, I wanted so badly to include some seed-beaded components or elements to this Bead Soup reveal.  That is because first I so admire the seed bead work that others do, it is beautiful, creative and I am so jealous of what others are able to do.  Secondly, I have been toying with it the last year on a very limited basis and have been experimenting with some beads and bead caps.  I have managed to make a few seed beaded bracelets that are a success.  I have kept one and have worn it every day now for the last month or so and it is so comfortable.  I listed one and it sold within a few minutes of being listed to a cousin of mine that saw it on facebook and there is another listed in the shop to replace it.

But, for this project, it didn't go so well.  The beads were okay, but didn't add much to her beads and I was not able to make two bead caps that were the same even after trying for three days, so I gave up and went with one that was half-way decent.

I first wanted to work with that gorgeous pendant bead.  That is my beaded bead cap on the top (it's okay to laugh out loud because I can't hear you) and I used black to pull out the subtle black stripes in the bead.  I also used two of her round beads as accent beads.  I used two beaded beads that I managed to make look halfway decent.  I also added copper bead caps, mother of pearl ovals, shell beads, green faceted jade, and mother of pearl donut beads from my stash.

I made a copper chain from mother of pearl beads to finish the back neck strap.

 The next necklace that I made incorporated the other beautiful focal bead that was oval shaped.  This bead has the most beautiful depth and color I gave up trying to capture it on the camera.  It has a clarity of leaded glass with a subtle goldish iridescence to it.  Anyway, take my word, it is gorgeous.

I used two more of her larger accent beads in this piece, along with a creamy riverstone looking oval stone bead from her soup and I began using those beautiful small button pearls she sent to make a chain.

From my stash, I used small clear green glass diamond beads and even though I made these pieces with copper wire that I left unoxidized (for this set) I used her sterling silver star clasp.  I love mixing metals and it needed to be up front so it could be seen.

I could be wrong, but I think by using the pearl/copper chain and spacing out the lamp work beads, I was able to show case her beads and still make a wearable necklace.

 Next, I made a bracelet using her last lamp work focal bead, the other riverstone oval bead, and one of her mother of pearl beads as a dangle.  I used two of my beaded beads, a lamp work bead by designer Deb Houde (because the color matched and the stripes went the same direction as the stripes that Jelveh used in her beads), a mother of pearl donut and faceted jade beads.

 This bracelet will match either necklace beautifully.

 And finally, a pair of earrings that will match either set.

I used her mother of pearl button beads for the dangles, my jade beads and green glass diamond beads and mother-of-pearl donuts that I received about the same time as I received Jelveh's beads.

I worked on this entire set thinking they had come from Jelveh, but finally figured out they were actually sent to me by Melinda Orr.  They matched beautifully and I was thrilled to get to use them in this project.


These too, will match either necklace.













Now, last but not least, I was left with the orange coral disc beads and the green tagua nut button.  My   original idea was to make a bracelet featuring the orange coral and using the button as a clasp.  That did not happen, but look what did happen!  Yes, as if my magic, this necklace just happened!  Isn't it gorgeous!  Now, I don't often toot my own horn, but ISN'T IT GORGEOUS!!!!

Just a reminder.  This is what I used to make the next necklace.  I'm looking for more of the orange coral disc beads so if anyone has any to destash, let me know.  They are about 10mm x 3mm or thereabouts.

I do believe this is the best thing I've made since I made the brooch for an Artisan Whimsy prong-setting challenge last fall.

I was going to do something like the center of this for the bracelet, but it was too large and the button wasn't flexible enough.  Way too much for a bracelet.  The button, however, makes a beautiful pendant.

I love the way this circles the neck and I love the coral and nut and African turquoise with the oxidized copper.

Again, I wanted to keep the back simple and let the focus stay in front.

Just made hammered copper links connected with twisted copper jump rings.

I took 12" pieces of 22 gauge wire, held two of them together and balled the end so that the balls had two wires coming off them.  I strung them through a turquoise glass bead, a silver wavy cap, a domed copper cap, the coral disc (some of these holes were too small for two strands of wire so I had to drill larger holes - scary but I had no problems doing it).  Then I used the two wires to wrap the copper framing securing the discs to the top.

And, as I learned while quilting, it is important to show your work, so here is a picture of the backside.

I considered trimming the copper, but hate wasting it so I just wrapped it until it ran out.  It can be seen in places from the front, but I think that adds interest.


This was an exciting time for me.  Jelveh, I so loved working with your lamp work beads and the coral you sent me.  Thank you so much for making this such a challenging and fun Bead Soup 7 for me.

Here is a reminder of what I sent Jelveh.  Lots of jasper, earthenware, gemstones, glass beads, and copper.  I can't wait to see what she does with this.  But, I bet it will be fantastic.  I know she has been working on it for awhile.

Here is a link to Jelveh's blog.  Let's hop over there and take a look.

Jelveh's Blog



And, last but not least, here is a blog list of the other particapants for the Second Reveal Day of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup 7.  But, before you scoot off to check out the other participants, please take a moment to leave a comment.  Comments just make my day and I love to hear what you all have to say.  And, if you haven't already, I'd like to invite you to become a member of this blog.  It's easy, just click on the link to the right.


Agata Grygiel
Ali McCarthy
Alice Craddick
Amy Severino
Ana Krepel
Andra Weber
Andrea Glick
Andrea Trank
Anitra Gordy Boyers
Annette Rivers
Anu Tuppurainen
April Grinaway
Audrey Belanger

B.R.Kuhlman
Barbara Bechtel
Barbara Mason
Becky Pancake
Beti Horvath
Billi RS Rothove
Bobbie Rafferty
Brandi Burdick

Candida Castleberry
Carol Dillman
Carolyn Gebert
Carolyn Lawson
Caron Reid
Catherine King
Cathy Jakicic
Chandra Merod
Charlene Jacka
Cheri Reed
Cherrie Fick
Cherrie Warzocha
Cheryl Brown

Cheryl Dunham
Cheryl Foiles
Cheryl GangleChris Eisenberg
Chris White
Christina Miles
Christine Hansen
Christine Murrow

Christine Stonefield
Cindy Ritchie
Clare Etheridge
Cory Tompkins
Chris Peacock
Cynthia Abner


Debbie Rasmussen
Debi Levine
Deborah Brooks
Deborah Read
Debra Behrends
Dorota Zeranska

Elaine Robitaille
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca
Emma Todd
Erin Gues
Evelyn Shelby
Evie and Beth McCord
Francy Inman
Ginger Bishop
Gloria Allen
Hajer Waheed
Hope Smitherman
Ilenia Ruzza
Ilona Hegedus
Ine Vande Cappelle

Jackie Ryan
Janine Lucas
Jean Peter
Jean A. Wells
Jeanne Steck
Jelveh Jaferian Johnson
Jennifer Cabic
Jennifer Reno
Jennifer VanBenschoten
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Jenny Kyrlack
Jenny Robledo

Jessica Brower
Jill MacKay
JJ Jacobs
Jo-ann Woolverton
Joanne Tinley
Johanna Rhodes Nash
Judy Robinson
Juli Cannon
Julia Gerlach
Julie Bowen -- don't have a good link
Julie Panusis

K Hutchinson
Karen Martinez
Karen Vincent
Karen Williams
Karin Slaton
Karyn Bonfiglio
Kat Douglas
Kate Dufour

Kate Mulligan
Kathleen Gallant
Kate Richbourg
Kathleen Lange-Klik


Katie Nielsen-Nunez

Kay Bolton
Kayla Potega
Kelli Jacobson
Kelly Patterson
Kelly Ramstack
Kiersten Kern
Kim Sparks
Klaudete Koon
Klaudia Toth
Krista French
Kristin Oppold
Kym Hunter

Lana Kinney
Laura Guenther
Lauren Fenty
Leah Curtis
Lennis Carrier
Linda Murphy
Lisa Johnson
Lori Anderson

Lupe Meter
Lynn Jobber

Mandi Effron
Marcia Dunne
Margareta Saari
Marianne Baxter
Marie Covert
Mary Ellen Parker
Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens
Megan Milliken
Melissa Meman
Melissa Mesara

Michaela Pabeschitz
Michelle Tucker

Mimi Gardner
Mischelle Fanucchi
Monica Phillips
Mowse Doyle

Nancy Boylan
Nancy Dale
Pat Haight
Patina Queen
Patty Miller
Pia Kaven
Rebecca Anderson
Rose Johnson
Roxanne Blanc

Sarah Goode
Sarah Singer
Sarah Strover
Shalini Austin
Sherri Stokey
Sherry Baun
Sheryl Stephens
Silvia Sernicola
Splange Collin

Stacie Florer
Stacy Alderson
Stephanie Haussler
Stephanie LaRosa
Sue Burleigh
Susan Bowie
Susan Kelly
Susan of Libellula Jewelry
Susan Sheehan
Suzanne Fragiacomo

Tammi Sloan
Tammie Everly
Tania Hagen
Tania Spivey
Tanya Goodwin
Tanya Wiles
Tari Kahrs
Terry Carter

Theresa Buchle
Tiffany Smith
Tina Holden
Tracey Nanstead
Tracie Dean
Tracy Bell
Tracy Kruse
Veralynne Malone
Veronica Campos-Hallstrom

If you find an error in a link, please advise.