Blog Partay!

 Welcome and thanks for stopping by!

  Today is the day! 362 folks from all over the country are paticipating in this bead soup blog party, Just a few weeks ago each person listed below received a nice little package of beads in the mail. We were paired randomly with a partner to whom you had to send a focal, a clasp and some accent beads, one of the rules was you had to use the focal and clasp. This is what I received from my partner Karen Sinowski.

Karen created some beautiful lampwork beads in a variety of sizes. She also included some swarovski crystals, sterling Hill Tribe spacers, some sterling charms she made and a metal 4 hole clasp.

When I sat down to my work table I started on a simple wire wrapped necklace, I felt bored by it and could not figure how to incorporate the 4 holed clasp. I struggled and struggled...the sun went down and came back up. I finally just put some of the elements aside and decided to just focus on a few of the beads and made a multi layer long necklace.

I used several different styles of vintage chain and created a leather link to compliment the dark brown in the beads.

Here is the clasp that talked back and gave me all the trouble. Vintage lightweight steel chain solved my problem, perfect size without the heavy weighed down feeling.

 You can find the list of participants on our Hostess Lori Anderson's blog. Thanks Lori for another fantastic party!

Look what I got today and we got a Button Winner!

Yeah we gots a winner! QuiltingJewel39...Yay! Send me an email with your shipping address and I will send out these lovely buttons asap!

These gorgeous beads from Pam of Ferrariorignalbeads arrived today and are just stunning! I think I see earrings in their future. These were packed so nicely and she tucked in an additional two beads, that was such a pleasant surprise! Thanks Pam, I love everything!

Melting Sherbet

 I am so Lady Gaga over these beads from Ferrarioriginalbeads on etsy...they remind me of melting sherbet, I can almost taste them! Since they are soft in color I did not want to do anything cutesy or super feminine. I added some etched copper bead caps and some textured chain from AD adornments.

I just listed this in my Etsy shop. 

Faith

A garden is evidence of faith. It links us with all the misty figures of the past who also planted and were nourished by the fruits of their planting

Gladys Taber 

I started with a basket and ended up needing a bucket to carry all of my pickings back up to the house. Fencing in the garden this year has certainly helped, no sign of critters, although I would not mind sharing at this point, I think all my neighbors are tiring of squash and cucumbers. The grape tomato plants are at least 3 feet taller than myself in less than a weeks time it will be nothing but red polka dots ready for plucking. We are hoping for rain today, it has been terribly dry and hotter than 40 hells...please please rain!

 Here is a little kitty update..

Our little Morgan is growing so quickly!

Morgan and Jack are pretty much inseparable. Jack acts like Morgan is his baby, it is so cute! 

Faith 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Bible: Hebrews

Here is a new piece I made with a vintage cross and an antique watch fob chain. The lampwork beads are from Being Beads. You can find this piece on my Etsy site.

Gotta love the Moo!

Moo Cards that is...
I feel in love with Moo printing a while back and had ordered business cards, postcards and the mini moo's. Just recently I had some photo's printed to use for show jurying but they were just lacking something...so I decided to order some Moo postcards. That did the trick for me, they are so professional looking and the quality is excellent, certainly a great investment at around a $1 each.

They include a preview postcard of all the cards in your order....very cool.

"Simplicity is the ultimate Sophistication"

I am getting ready for a show in less than 2 weeks and wanted to make some simpler items. Here we have "Simplicity" made from one of BeingBeads lampwork beads and a copper filigree pendant from LeAnn of Summers Studio's. I love the combination of textures and soft color. The mesh copper chains are wonderful and you can find them at Rings & Things.

Unlock Your Dreams

..."Dreams unlock the passion, that in your heart has concealed"

A unusual antique brass key with stone cabochon has been re-fashioned into a pendant for this piece I call "Unlock Your Dreams". This one of a kind necklace has wonderful bursts of color from the handmade lampwork beads and wire wrapped lapis. Handmade brass textured bead caps add great texture. An antique watch chain has also been used and adds a unique element design. Hand forged brass hook and eye for a closure.

Handmade lampwork beads from Being Beads on Etsy.

You can find this piece on my new website. I am also hosting a giveaway to celebrate the new site. I have chosen a custom Typewriter Key Pendant to give away, you can enter here to win. Thanks for stopping by.