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. 

Bead Trends April, 2013 - My Contribution

The April 2013 issue of Bead Trends has been out for some time, but I wanted to show you what I had published in that issue.  Somewhere I went from meaning to post about it to forgetting to post about it so without further procrastination I give you Big Bird on a Little Pond.  I don't know why I call it that.....

 The pendant and the accent beads, including the red one, were made by Mary Ann Carroll of Artisanbeadsplus on etsy.

The turquoise bird bead is a hand carved turquoise bead from Afghanistan.

I finished out the design with Czech fire polished beads in complimentary colors.



The bronze clasp is by Green Girls Studio.  It is their "Branch" Design.


Only one in this issue, but I have another one coming out in June, 2013 Bead Trends and will be the featured designer in the September, 2013 issue. I look forward to sharing those with you as well.I put so much energy into preparing the jewelry for that issue, that I have not done any more submissions to Stringing or to Bead Trends.  I look forward to getting back to that; but, first I am going to make some jewelry as my stash inspires me -- my favorite kind of jewelry designing.

To Satisfy the Anarchist in Me....

Well, because I have a bit of anarchist in me, which as you know is a person that likes to break the rules sometimes, and because it is against the rules to reveal your Bead Soup creations before your scheduled reveal date, but because I am also finished with making jewelry from Jelveh's soup, and because I am way too excited to wait until Saturday, which is the new reveal day for the second group of participants (yes, that's this coming Saturday, April 13, 2013 so be sure to check back) and because I wanted to go ahead and show you what I've made, I decided to go ahead and show you today.

So here goes!!!!!

Isn't it great!  Do you want to see more?  Come back on Saturday and see what those pretty little bags have in them.

Today is First Reveal for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup 7

Yaayyyy!  Bead Soup 7 Reveals Have Begun!   Today is the 1st Reveal.  Here are links to the other shops. 

Alicia Marinache	All The Pretty Things
Amber Dawn Goldish	Inventive Soul
Barb Solem	Vivi Magoo Presents
Bev Breisinger	Country Frog Creations
Birgitta Lejonklou	Create With Spirit
Breana Fry	Vault 31
Brenda Sue Lansdowne	B'Sue Boutiques
Carol Dee Myers	Carol DeeZigns
Carolyn Chenault	Carolyn Chenault
Cassi Paslick	Beads:  Rolling Downhill
Cece Cormier	The Beading Yogini
Cheryl McCloud	One Thing Leads to Another
Cindy Wilson	It's My Sea of Dreams
Crystal Thain	Here Bead Dragons
Cynthia Riggs	Cynth's Blog
Dana Hickey	Wind Dancer Studios
Dana James	Dana's Jewelry Designs
Darlene Fortier	Delicious Rejuvenations
Deanna Cox	Agape Creations
Deb Brooks	From the Heart Creations
Denielle Hagerman	Some Beads and Other Things I Like
Denise McCabe	Cabewoman
Diana Frey	Tattered Adornments
Diana Welte	Lilyweeds
Dini Bruinsma	Angaza by Changes
DiYana Alcalde	Agape Creations
Dolores Raml	CraftyD's Creations
Donna Millard	Donna Millard Art Glass
Dot Lewallwn	Speedie Beadie
Duane Clark	dc'z bizzy bead adventures
Dyanne Cantrell	Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations
Eleanor Burian-Mohr	The Charmed Life
Elisabeth Auld	Beads for Busy Gals
Elizabeth Owens Dwy	1996 Shabby Lane
Emily Greer	Gaia Copia
Enikö Fabian	Perl-eni
Erin Grant	Erin's Jewelry Creations
Eva Kovacs	Ewa Gyongyos Vilaga
Eva Sherman	Eva Sherman Designs
Gina Hockett	Freestyle Elements
Grace Rotenberg	Rivka's Mom
Gretchen Nation	Art Food Lodging
Hannah Rosner	Good River Gallery
Heather Davis	Blissful Garden Beads
Heather Marston	CSW Designs
Heather Powers	Humblebeads
Ingrid McCue	Wrapped in Silver
Jacqueline Marchant	FiddleDeeDee Jewelry
Jan Petek	Pepper Tree Designs
Janeen Sorensen	Wild Vanilla Designs
Jane-Michael Stallings	Craft Vacuum
Jasvanti Patel	Jewelry by Jasvanti
Jayashree Paramesh	Nchantme
Jayne Capps	Mama's Gotta Doodle
Jean Yates	Snap out of it Jean, There's beading to do!
Jennifer Cameron	Glass Addictions | by Jen Cameron
Jennifer LaVite	Dry Gulch Beads & Jewelry
Joan Williams	lilruby jewelry
Jodie Marshall	Jodie Marshall
Judy Riggs	Rigglettes
Julie Anne Leggett	The Peaceful Bead
Kat Barron Miller	Midnight Kat Productions
Kathy Lindemer	Bay Moon Design
Kim Hora	KimmyKats
Kim Houston	The Pink Martini Boutique
Krafty Max	Krafty Max Originals
Kris Lanae Binsfeld	Cherish Designs
Kristen Stevens	My Bead Journey
Kristi Harrison	It's a New Day
Kumi Fisher	Malie Kai Designs
Laren Dee Barton	Laren Dee Designs
Laura Bracken	Laura Bracken Designs
Laura Demoya	The Bead Therapist
Laurie Hanna	Laurie's Jewelry Box
Laurie Keefe-Cecere	Tree of Life
Lea Avroch	lajewelrydesigns
Leanne Loftus	First Impression Design
Lee Anne Messerschmidt	Adventures in Jewelry
Leslie Schenkel	Twisted Chicken
Linda Anderson	From the Bead Board
Linda Djokic	Lutka and Co.
Linda Sadler	Ida Louise Jewelry
Lisa Liddy	Metal Me This
Lisa Suver	Fanceethat
Liz DeLuca	Creative Arty Facts
Liz Engriser	Bead Contagion
Lola Surwillo	Bead Lola Bead
Loretta Carstensen	Designs by Loretta
Lori Anderson	Pretty Things
Lori Bergmann	Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Bowring Michaud	Artfully Ornamental
Lori Poppe	Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean
Lori Schneider	Bead Addict
Lyn Foley	Lyn Foley
Maddison Langford	Maddy's Stitching Corner
Magdalena Sikora	Poranna Gazeta
Mallory Hoffman	For the Love of Beads
Marcella Austenfeld	Good to Go Jewelry
Marcy Lamberson	Studio Marcy
Maria Clark	Sweet Willow Designs
Maria Rosa Sharrow	Willow Street Shops
Marianna Boylan	Star Girl Shop
Marti Conrad	Marti's Clay Blog
Mary Ellen Merrigan	Mary Ellen Beads
Mary Harding	Mary Harding Jewelry Bead Blog
Molly Alexander	Beautifully Broken Me
Nan Emmett	Spirit Rattles :: Spirited Earth
Niky Sayers	Silver Nik Nats
Pam Chesbro	A Fortunate Soul
Pam Farren	Re-maker
Pam Sandy	Pam's Eclectic Stuff
Pam Traub	Klassy Joolz
Pamela Gangler	She Always Loved Pink
Patricia Buchanan	Bracelets Too
Patricia Johnson	Patricia L. Johnson Glass Art
Paula Hisel	Simply Stated
Peggy Gabrielson	Georgia Mountain Arts
Rachel Baron	R. Baron Designs
Rachel Stanley	Catching Hummingbirds
Rain Hannah	Honey & Ollie
Rana Wilson	Rana Lea Designs
Renetha Stanziano	Lamplight Crafts
Robin Reed	Artistry HCBD
Rochelle Brisson	A Creative Chelle
Rose Rushbrooke	The Art of Rose Rushbrooke
Ruth Szapa	New Things
Sally Russick	The Studio Sublime
Sandi Volpe	Sandi Volpe
Sandra Pendragon	Pendragon Jewelry
Sandy Richardson	Sandy's Coloring Box
Sarah Small	blog by salla
Shannon Hicks	falling into the sky
Shari Replogle	Plays With Paper
Sheila Daniels	Cheeky Magpie
Sheila Davis	Stone Designs
Shiraz Biggie	Secret Song Designs
Shirley Moore	Beads and Bread
Skylar Bre'z	Brising Beads
Staci Smith	Staci Louise Originals
Stacy Pomerleau	Craft En Ville
Stephanie Weiss	Uniquely Me - Beads, Wire, and Desire
Sumi Rani	Hundred Colors
Susan Sheehan	Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzette Bentley	Ellie's Bijoux
Tamera Norris	Beads and Things
Tracy Choy	BumbleBeads Designs
Tracy Stillman	Tracy Stillman Designs
Valerie Norton	Hot Art
Vicki Holliday	Flop Cat Design

Can I Now Call Myself a Seed Beader? - Of course, I'm Kidding....

Even though I have been busy working on a big jewelry project, I have been distracted a time or two along the way and have actually made something of interest to me.  Not that the big jewelry project isn't interesting - it is, but I just needed a distraction a time or two.

I have long admired the seed beaders out there - and I have been collecting seed beads for quite some time -- I guess I thought that if you had to have a huge inventory of seed beads, then you would automatically know what to do with them.

I have been playing around with two things - first some beaded beads that I want to somehow incorporate in my Bead Soup project and some simple bracelets.

 I made the first one in the earthy rustic ancient looking seed beads of which I have many, many because I love them so much and can't say no to them.  Then because I also love, love the southwest color palette and horses, I made the second one.

I have been wearing the earthy one now for about two weeks solid and I can't believe it is still holding together.  I tried very hard to be cognizant of how I finished and began my threads so hopefully I got it right.

I like them and they are very, very easy to wear.  I will probably be offering them in my etsy store soon.

I am finally putting my Bead Trends Sept. 2013 feature designs into a box for shipping out.  I am now very excited to begin working with the Bead Soup I received from Jelveh Johnson.  Even though I am in the second reveal group, time continues to tick by and it is getting closer.  I can't wait.

Bead Trends March, 2013

Today I want to share with you my contributions to the Bead Trends March 2013 issue.

This issue has some beautiful jewelry in it - I especially love this piece that is on the front cover.

 My first piece is a hammered copper choker style with a fantastic shell bead by Marla James.  It is framed by flowers by Marti Conrad and I wrapped some Bali-sterling beads and picasso fire polished beads to decorate the front.

For a clasp, I made large loops and wrapped one side with another fire polished bead to make the loop.

Marti made this gorgeous owl pendant as well.
I made copper bead caps and used small turquoise fire-polished beads and fringe chain to make the hair over the owls head.

The matching earrings were published in the Winter 2013 issue of Jewelry Stringing.

















I am just about finished designing the jewelry for my September spread in Bead Trends.  I have one more piece to make and then I have to write all the instructions, etc.  That is the paperwork and I hate paperwork.  Well, not really, but it is not my favorite part.

And before I go, I want to send out a special "THANK YOU" to the component artists that make beautiful jewelry possible. None of this would be possible without you and I appreciate you all.  

Enjoy Looking!

Race Horses.......

Who doesn't love race horses?  But, how many of us are ever lucky enough to know one -- let alone own one?

Well, I'll tell you who ---- my sister-in-law, Janie Rogers.  I only have one brother and he managed to marry one of the coolest women I know.  She has a Harley - and you should see her in her leathers --, she has raised three wonderful sons (but man let me tell you, she is one tough Mom - she is definitely not a coddler.)  I joke that if you are her kid, when you turn 18 years old she throws you a big birthday party, then sets you out on the curb so a word to the wise -- have a place to sleep on your 18th birthday because she will already be redecorating your room by nightfall.

She is an accomplished painter and I am patiently waiting my turn for one of her paintings.  She loves to make things about as much as I do.

She also owns a race horse.  In her younger (pre-sister-in-law days) she was actually a professional jockey.

She just won her first race! and I wanted to share her joy (and mine) with you.  Marti I know you will enjoy this and I hope many others of you do too.







The top is a picture of the win and that is Janie standing at the head of the horse in the bottom picture.

Isn't that about the coolest thing!



Congratulations Janie! and give Officer's Desire a hug for me - oh, and an apple.

The Snow is Leaving, but.....

Before it does, I want to leave one more picture of a unique snowman.  This one is just to the south of our house on the corner.  Yesterday and today have been so warm we didn't even need to wear coats and when I drove by this one this morning on the way to the market, it was almost gone.  About all that is left is its feet.

In our neighborhood, when you have stuff that you don't want any more, you just set it out on the curb and someone will usually take it before the sun sets on it.

I was walking Jebadiah and Sophie when I took this one's picture.  She found it very interesting - worthy of closer inspection.




Spring will be here in no time. 









Okay, now back to work.

My Contribution to Stringing Spring 2013

Today I wanted to share my contribution to the Spring 2013 issue of Stringing Magazine.  The version that was published is actually my second version of the necklace. 

For those of you that haven't tried being published yet, one of the things you have to do when you submit your piece for consideration is to also write instructions on how to make it and make a complete list of each piece, down to every little jump ring and crimp, with a description of size, color, material, and where you acquired it.

In the first version, I used a wider variety of African Trade Beads and more sections of macrame.

After completing the first version, I realized it was going to be impossible for me to actually write instructions on how to make it. 

 So, in the necklace, I used a bag of Greek Mokonos Heishi Beads that I purchased from Rings-Things and kept the connections simpler.  I love the way it turned out and if you want to give it a go, it should be easy enough to follow the instructions published in the magazine.

The earrings drops were made by Marla James and are a beautiful compliment to the necklace.

I purchased the pendant on eBay years ago, but the colors in it were perfect for this issue and this necklace.

And, if you haven't purchased your copy yet, here is a picture of the front so you will know what to look for.



















The pendant that I used in the first version was a "parrot wing" jasper.  It was very pretty, but there is a spot on the front of it that didn't look out of place until I took its picture.  I thought the more purple piece looked better in the end and it photographed better.

Disclaimer:  For those who keep track of this type of thing, these pictures were used with Stringing's permission.