It's Here!! The Bead Soup Blog Party!!!

The big event that we've all been waiting for is here! The Bead Soup Blog Party, heretofore known as BSBP. *smile*

Before I go any further, I MUST say a HUGE thank you to our fearless leader, Lori Anderson. Through all her challenges, she has somehow managed to put together another amazing BSBP! This is the 8th! I've been fortunate to have participated in a few of them over the years. I've made wonderful friendships along the way, including Lori. I'm eternally grateful to her! Please make sure you make her blog a priority! I really don't know how she does what she does with all that's going on. Love you Lori!!

I know I say this about all the BSBP's I've participated in, but this was truly one of the best for me. I got to meet an awesome lady and a huge talent, Kris Lanae Binsfeld of  Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae. We have very different jewelry making styles, but we connected right away. Birds of a feather, as they say. ;) And what a generous soup she sent, all beautifully packaged with a lovely note.

The piece de resistance was this drop dead gorgeous focal that she wire wrapped, incorporating many of the components in the soup. 

My mind was whirling with ideas, but it took some time to formulate the plan, which kept changing every time I picked up the piece to work on. Isn't it always so? I'm a little disappointed in myself that I only made the one piece that I did. I had other ideas in mind for the remaining soup, but life sort of got in the way. To begin with, my daughter-in-law went into labor 4 weeks early and presented us with our 1st grandchild, Alexander Jack. Sorry, proud grandma moment....have to share a pic of my little man at his 2 month birthday.

Been busy helping them with him and also with their move into their new house so not much 'me' time left for the things I enjoy, but he's my top priority right now. (insert heart smiley)

But you came to see beads and what I made with them, right?? Though our techniques are very different, we both share a fondness for recycled materials. I usually work with seedbeads so decided to step outside my comfort zone and do a wee bit of wire work...and I do mean, a WEE bit! ;) Her focal takes center stage of course! I took copper chain that I had in my stash and then intertwined the silk ribbon that was part of the bead soup with some sari ribbon that I've been hoarding and ran it through the links on the chain. I call this piece "Gypsy Treasures" because it's made out of some of Kris' recycled glass components and some of my lampwork and enameled beads, all dangling from the chain and cord in a fun way with her gorgeous focal. The only thing I would've done different is to make it more asymmetrical, but believe it or not, that's harder then it sounds. Ah! We're always second guessing ourselves, right? At least I always am! Still very happy with the outcome and plan to make more pieces out of the rest of the soup when time permits. 

Oh and before I reveal my creation here's a pic of what I sent to Kris. I included some of my lampwork beads. Can't wait to see her creation(s)!

On to my reveal....Kris's focal really makes the whole piece!

One of my enameled beads with a lampwork headpin.

Another fun little lampwork bead with brightly colored dots

A corrugated enameled bead

I just had to add a couple of my bellflowers into this! I absolutely love making these and recently hosted a challenge on my facebook page to see how my customers have used them. They're far more creative then I am, but had to try my hand at it too.

I have a busy weekend for Mothers Day. Tomorrow is my mom's 93rd birthday and then having my family here on Sunday for Mothers Day so may not get to hop much until Sunday night or Monday. Here's the link to all the other blogs. Hope you'll check them all out.

http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2014/05/welcome-to-8th-bead-soup-blog-party.html