Challenges......

I am no stranger to challenges.  I have had many during my lifetime.  Some I got through pretty well and some with not so much grace.  Anyway, I am thrilled to say that I was chosen for Lori Anderson's Fifth Bead Soup Party.  In the past she has allowed anyone to participate that wanted to, but it was such a huge success that it became a real job for her to manage.  So this time she limited the party to 200 people that were drawn randomly by our handy-dandy internet randomness machines.  How would you like 200 people showing up at your house for a party! 

I have been paired with Erin Grant.  Her etsy store is named CreativelyErin and I really look forward to getting to know her and to participate in the party.  For those of you who may not be familiar with Lori's bead soup party, two participants are paired to exchange a focal, some coordinating beads and a nice clasp.  The purpose of the exchange is to challenge yourself to use the components and beads that your partner sends you even though they may be something you wouldn't ordinarily use.....to stretch yourself creatively beyond bounds that you may be comfortable with.  When I think about all of my personal creative neurosis's (read that as plural) I will probably need to seek counseling before it is over, but at the same time I am sooooo looking foward to participating.  In any event, my sister Kathy is always ready, willing and able to tell me to snap out of it anytime I need her to, no matter what "it" may be.

In that regard, as you may know, Kristi Bowman makes beautiful copper components from metal clay.  I recently acquired a relatively large inventory of her goodies and plan to begin using them as soon as the ideas begin to come.  I love copper and if you are at all familiar with my jewelry know that I use a lot of copper wire and have used more than a few copper components in bracelets.  I am delighted with Kristi's work.  Earlier this month, she posted that she is having a blog hop with a reveal date of February 4  using a new bracelet component that she has designed.  She provided them with an ammonite design and also an urchin design.  I chose the ammonite and here is a picture of it.

In preparation for the Lori Anderson blog, and to participate in Kristi's blog, I challenged myself to use a little bag of beads that I received as a gift when I placed an etsy order for beads.  I am so sorry that I cannot remember who gave them to me and I wish I had taken a picture of them before I posted this (I'm learning as I go how to do an effective blog so bear with me).  But, since I want to wait until the reveal day I will tell you only that there were some little fire agates, some size 6 amber silver lined seed beads, some wild horse jasper coins, a glass heart, a tibetan eye agate and some little tiny matte black seed beads. 

Anyway you can check out Kristi's blog here or you can get to her blog in my blog list below and to the right.  You can also check out Lori Anderson's bead soup party by clicking the avatar below and to the right as well.  It should be great fun - and I hope to grow a bit as a jewelry designer - even if it is scary.