Friday, May 9, 2014

The 8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party! Party Time!!!

Annnd....its reveal time!!

First off...a HUGE thanks to Lori Anderson of Pretty Things for hosting this hop in spite of all the health issues she has been having in the past few months. Thanks, hugs, and lots of love, Lori!

This is the third time I am participating in this blog hop, and it keeps getting better every time!
For those of you new here...Lori pairs up partners, and we exchange bead soups. The soup must contain at least one focal and one clasp, and we need to use them both in our creations in some way or another.


My partner this time around is the super talented Miss Kari Asbury..
Here's a recap of what she sent me:




Kari sent me two clasps and whoolllllleeeeeeeeeeeeee lot of focals! I knew right away that I was going to use the peacock focal. And of course the wonderful key clasp.

I went to the bead cruise right after I got these beads, and took them along...to see the Bahamas, you know ;)

I worked on the pieces a bit over there...and used some of the door prizes and goodies I got on the cruise for my creations. Here's me in a mini pajama party in my cabin with Diana (Suburban Girl Beads), Erin (she's behind the camera) and Terri :-)



This is what I made at the pajama party...I used one of the ribbons Kari sent me. Paired it with a house bead by Heather Powers.
I know...this is too simple...hang on..it gets better ;-)


And then we had a costume contest, where I was runner up...I won a big bag of beads! And then we had door prizes...where I won some beads from Ema Kilroy :-) (EmaKDesigns) And I learned some hammering techniques...And I used them all to come up with this:

I used one of the clasps that Kari sent. And the little spacer beads are part of Ema's door prize.
(Hang on...it gets better...)



I hammered a bail for it...and used Ema's beads again in the rings that hold it all together.
The chocolate pearls (they are a dark brown..the color is not showing up right here :( ) are from my win from the costume party.



And here it is in all its glory :-)


Yeah, I know ya love it ;-) Am bummed about the chocolate pearls not showing up properly :(

Moving on...
The clasp had me stumped for a while. I had suggestions of making a bracelet out of it, but it looked too big on my wrist. And in my world, everyone is my size, and likes what I like. So..that idea didn't work.

I had taken a knotting class with Erin Siegel on the cruise, and not sure how, but I ended up deciding to make a knotted necklace with it. I used wood and metal beads (some of the metal ones are leftovers from her class) to maintain the rustic feel of the pendant (yes, we shall now call it a pendant, not a clasp)

So here it is:


I could not quite remember what Erin had said about how much length of cord I need to use (some formula based on what the end length is to be) and fell short of cord, so will have to rework this a bit. I will not say what's wrong with this, if you can find it...shhhh...don't tell ;-)

Here's a few more pictures of the necklace, I was just having fun with photos :)



Not sure why this is showing upside down, I tried fixing it, but it won't budge. Oh well





So that's what I have so far! Thanks so much Kari! I know I am going to have so much more fun with the rest of the things you sent me!

And now you (who are not Kari), go on over to her blog to see what she's been upto:
Kari Asbury of Hippie Chick Designs (blog / etsy)
In case you would like some of these tiles for yourself, here's the link to Kari's component store: Asbury Avenue Designs.

And here's who else is partying with me!
Lori Anderson, Hostess     www.PrettyThingsBlog.com

Tina Bosh                                  http://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/
Kristina Hahn Eleniak                 www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Kari Asbury                               www.hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Kris Binsfield                             www.cherishdesigns.wordpress.com
Cheryl Gangle                            www.RockCandyJewelryDesign.blogspot.com
Amber Dawn                             www.InventiveSoul.blogspot.com
Michelle Wigginton                     http://adornedonadelaide.weebly.com/
Kayla Potega                              http://teejewelry.blogspot.com/
Becky Pancake                           www.beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Debbie Rogers                             http://debbiestreasuresandgems.wordpress.com/
Jenny Kyrlach                             www.anafiassa.blogspot.com
Genea Crivello-Knable                 www.geneabeads.blogspot.com
Deborah Read                             www.deborahreadcom.blogspot.com
Julianna Cannon                          http://julsbeads.blogspot.com/
Lisa Liddy                                  www.lisaliddy.wordpress.com
Debbie Rasmussen                      www.Kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca
Iveth Caruso                               www.creativeatelier.net/blog
Rana Wilson                               http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Corrie Williams                           http://thecedarbeader.blogspot.com.au
Linda Anderson                          http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Miranda Ackerley                       http://blog.mirandack.com/
Andra Weber                             www.andrasjoyfuljourney.blogspot.com
Loretta Carstensen                      http://www.designsbyloretta.blogspot.com/
Penny Houghton                         www.smellynelly.blogspot.com.au
Tania Hagen                               http://pelimadesign.blogspot.co.nz/
Robin Reed                                www.willowdragon.blogspot.com
Laurie Vyselaar                           www.Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Rachel Baron                              www.rbarondesigns.blogspot.com
Erin Guest                                   www.renlish.com
Emma Todd                                            www.apolymerpenchant.com
Kelly Schermerhorn                            http://meanderingwithkelly.blogspot.com/
Dana Hickey                                            http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com
Rebecca Ednie                                       http://eclecticendeavours.blogspot.com
Marybeth Rich                                       http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Sherri Levinton                                      www.cuttergazette.blogspot.com
RaMona Woolson                                www.jerseygirlsbeadwork.blogspot.com
Jo-Ann Woolverton                             www.Itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Audrey Belanger                                  http://esperianterra.blogspot.ca/
Candida Castleberry                            http://spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Renetha Stanziano                              https://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Chenault                                  www.carolynchenault.wordpress.com
Toltec  Jewels                                        www.JewelSchoolFriends.com
Diana Welte                                            http://lilyweeds.blogspot.com
Jean A. Wells                                          www.jeanawells.blogspot.com
Bev Breisinger                                       http://countryfrogcreations.blogspot.com/
Autumn Adams                                     www.autumndawns.blogspot.com
DiYana Alcalde                                       www.agapecreationsjewelry.blogspot.com
Patty Gasparino                                    www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com
Karen Mitchell                                       www.overthemoon-design.com
Regina Santerre                                    http://reginaswritings.blogspot.com/
Dhea Powers                                         http://javabead.blogspot.com/
Jayne Capps                                           https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com
Keri Lee Sereika                                    www.pinklemonade.typepad.com
Melissa Trudinger                                www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca                              http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Jeanne Steck                                          www.gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com
Carolyn Lawson                                     http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Kay Thomerson                                     http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
Maybeline Tay                                       http://thejewelrylarder.blogspot.sg/
Jackie Locantore                                   http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStarSanctuaryStudio
D'Arsie Manzella                                   http://thisherenowmamacita.blogspot.com
Jacqueline Marchant                          http://jaacquelinesjewels.blogspot.com/
Beccy Peterson                                     www.yanasmom.blogspot.com
Katie Nielson-Nunez                           www.Vikingcraft.blogspot.com
Heidi Kingman                                       http://heidikingman.blogspot.com
Andrea Glick                                           http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Rose Johnson                                        http://swtrosethorn.blogspot.com/
Nicole Demore                                      http://healingbeading.blogspot.com/
Marti Conrad                                          http://marticsclay.blogspot.com
Marianna Boylan                                  www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com
Mitzie Crider                                          www.needfulluxuries.com
Christa Murphy                                     www.adventuresofwonbeadywoman.blogspot.com
Alisa Siceloff                                           www.armoredmermaid.blogspot.com
Maria Rios                                               http://mlourdes24.blogspot.com/
Tracy Martin                                           www.nutkittensjewelry.blogspot.com
Nan Emmett                                           www.spiritrattles.blogspot.com
Jelveh Jafarian                                          http://jelvehdesigns.blogspot.com/
Ali McCarthy                                           www.northwoodscreativestudio.blogspot.com
Jennifer LaVite                                      www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com
Dolores Raml                                          www.craftydscreations.wordpress.com
Valerie Kravette                                   http://gettingabeadon.blogspot.com
Bobbie Rafferty                                    www.beadsong.blogspot.com
Kathleen Breeding                               http://99bobotw.blogspot.com
Kristi Brokaw                                          www.Kristibrokawdesigns.blogspot.com
Lisa Suver                                                http://fanceethat.blogspot.com/
Natalie Moten                                       http://runningoutofthread.blogspot.com/
Jami Shipp                                               http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com/
Diana Shiraishi                                       www.JasmineTeaDesigns.blogspot.com
Heather Otto                                         http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Ghislaine Kruse-van Erp                    www.kruseartllc.com
Lisa Knappenberger                            www.liraysadesigns.blogspot.com
Charlene Jacka                                      http://clay-space.com/blog
Patty Miller                                             http://pattymillerbeads.blogspot.com/
Sandi James                                            www.dobedobeaddo.blogspot.com
Marianne Hurley                                  www.Readsandbeads.wordpress.com
Cris Peacock                                           http://crispart.blogspot.com/
Andrea Rivers                                        http://turtlesoupcreative.blogspot.com/
Gloria Allen                                             http://gloriaallendesigns.blogspot.com/
Kandice Seeber                                     http://coloraddictionblog.blogspot.com
Janine Lucas                                           http://www.esfera.me/travel/
Sandy Richardson                                 www.SandyscoloringBox.blogspot.com
Hajer Waheed                                       www.mybeadedworld.wordpress.com
Cynthia Abner                                       http://createdtreasures.blogspot.com/
Peggy Johnson                                      http://charmbarn.blogspot.com/
Tina Holden                                             www.beadcomber.ca
Julie Bowen                                            http://blog.autochthonous-evolved.com
Heather Richter                                    http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Sarah Strover                                         www.beaupepys.blogspot.com
Kimberly Idalski                                     www.kimisjewelryandgifts.blogspot.com
Sandi Volpe                                            www.sandivolpe.com
Tandra Boyer                                         http://alittleinkalicious.blogspot.com/
Klaudete Koon                                      http://www.klaudetekoon.blogspot.com
Michaela Pabeschitz                           http://der-lamardebonita.blogspot.co.at/
Mea-B. Uebler                                      http://schmuck-der-gut-tut.blogspot.de
Mandi Effron                                          www.craft-o-licious.blogspot.com
Evelyn Shelby                                        http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/
Shai Williams                                          http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Natalie Davidson                                  http://www.northshoredays.com
Evelyn Duberry                                     www.Shebamakeda.com
Eszter Czibulyas                                    http://bigyogyar.blogspot.com
Sylvia Lupberger                                   http://www.lusyls-kreativseite.blogspot.de/
Divya N                                                     www.jewelsofsayuri.com
Blanca Medina                                       www.peru-medesigns.com
Ginger Davis Allman                            http://thebluebottletree.com
Chris Eisenberg                                     http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com
Katja Benevol Gabrrijelcic                 http://slovoni.blogspot.com
Jodie Marshall                                       www.marshalljodie.blogspot.com
Margareta Saari                                    http://magsinhelmet.blogspot.fi/
Menka Gupta                                        http://menkag.blogspot.com/
Dian Hierschel                                        www.mydias.de
Kashmira Patel   <- You are here ->      http://sadafulee.blogspot.com
Christina Miles                                       http://wingsnscales.blogspot.com/
Inge von Roos                                        www.ingetraud.wordpress.com
Sam Siegel                                               http://samsbeadshopandjewelry.blogspot.com/
Gina Hockett                                          http://www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Linda Newnham                                   http://earth-shinedesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
Enikö Fabian                                           www.perleni.blogspot.com
Dorota Å»eraÅ„ska                                   http://gdymamczas.blogspot.com
Shalini Austin                                         http://jewellery-by-shalini.blogspot.co.uk
Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens                    www.glassbeadart.blogspot.com
Silke Groeber                                         http://just-beads.blogspot.com
Birgit Klughardt                                     www.gitesbeads-gite.blogspot.com
Rebecca Anderson                              www.songbeads.blogspot.com
Niky Sayers                                             http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Stefanie Teufel                                     http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com
Rosantia Petkova                                 http://bairozan.blogspot.com/
Alenka Obid                                            www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Jacqueline Keller                                  www.creartelier.blogspot.com
Sam Waghorn                                        http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk
Jackie Ryan                                             http://kydojewellery.blogspot.co.uk/
Kumi Fisher                                             www.kumifisher.blogspot.com
Joan Williams                                         www.lilrubyjewelry.com
Stephanie Weiss                                   http://uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com/
Elsbeth Fuchs                                         www.acrimbolda.blogspot.com
Johanna Nash                                        http://http://firephoenixcreations.blogspot.co.uk
Natascha Marty                                    http://www.sommerlicht.ch
Sarah Goode                                          www.pookledo.blogspot.com
Agata Grygiel                                         http://www.inaurem.pl/
Jeannine Vetsch-Bokstaller                  www.jevebo-art.blogspot.com
Rebecca Sirevaag                                 www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Magdalena Sikora                                http://www.porannagazeta.blogspot.com/
Ana Krepel                                              http://catspajamas-dogstuxedos.blogspot.com/
Saskia Letta                                             www.puenktliundanton.blogspot.com
Beth Emery                                             www.storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com
Lizzie Clarke                                            www.theneedtobead.blogspot.com
Evie and Beth McCord                        http://ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com/
Marcia Dunne                                        www.thealternativefoundry.blogspot.co.uk
Agi Kiss                                                     http://moonsafaribeads.blogspot.com
Esterina Jagiella                                     http://ekleijar.blogspot.com/
Judith Johnston                                    http://www.judith-johnston.com/blog/
Jenny Vidberg                                       http://shymessmycken.blogspot.se/
Klaudia Toth                                           http://www.klaudiabizsu.hu
Merja Sundström                                 http://suntsan.blogspot.fi/
Colleen Vinthagen                               http://www.thewireworkshop.com/blog
Leah Curtis                                              http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk/
Giorgia Rossini                                       http://joyblonde.blogspot.it/
Sandra Wollberg                                   www.city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.com/‎
Annica Larsson                                      http://zestyfrog.wordpress.com/
Johana Nunez                                        www.artincendi.com
Krafty Max                                              http://kraftymax.blogspot.com/
Lori Schneider                                        www.beadaddicted.blogspot.com
Mary Govaars                                        www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Mischelle Andrade Fanucchi            http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Maddison Langford                             www.maddy-moo.blogspot.com
Ginger Bishop                                        http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/
Birgitta Lejonklou                                 www.lejonklou.blogspot.se
Lesley Watt                                             www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Doris Stumpf                                          www.glaszwerg.blogspot.com
Marjolein Trewavas                            http://roomforchangemeuk.blogspot.co.uk/
Silvia Sernicola                                       http://pipa-the-latest.blogspot.it/
Roxanne Blanc                                       http://strikesmyfancy-2013.blogspot.com/
Wendy Chamberlain                           http://wendy-essentialbears.blogspot.co.uk/
Siobhán Keogh                                      www.vovsjewellery.blogspot.ie
Claire Fabian                                           www.saraccino.blogspot.com
Katrin Fenzke                                         http://perlhuehner-schokojunkie.blogspot.de/
Eva Wills                                                   http://quiltingpug.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer                                    http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Bridget Torres                                        www.shears58.net
Marina Passarella                                 http://annodarte2013.blogspot.it
Christina Hickman                                http://vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com/
Tammie Everly                                       http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com/
Ana Cravidao                                          http://acbeads.blogspot.com
Keren Panthaki                                     www.vasdea.wordpress.com
Jennifer VaBenschoten                     http://www.vanbeads.blogspot.com
Solange Collin                                        http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Marina Kosović                                      http://machoopko-design.blogspot.com/
Michelle Tucker                                    www.michelleannstudio.com
Sue Rennie                                             http://moonandsevenstars.blogspot.co.uk/
Claire Lockwood                                   www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com
Barb Solem                                             www.ViviMagooPresents.com
Caroline Dewison                                 http://www.blueberribeads.co.uk
Noemi Baena Roman                          http://blog.noemibaena.com/
Marsela Schroth                                   www.marselita.de
Amy Severino                                        http://www.amybeads.blogspot.com/
Vonna Maslanka                                   http://justvonna.blogspot.com/
Andra Marasteanu                              http://bijouxdemonange.blogspot.com
Cherrie Warzocha                                www.colorsofshae.blogspot.com
Amanda Wacasey                                www.Mandyinmystic.blogspot.com
Marcy Lamberson                                www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com
Lisa Johnson                                           http://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com/
Gail Vanderster-Zwang                      www.Angelmoose.blogspot.com
Laurie Keefe-Cecere                           http://cecerelyyours.blogspot.com
Asri Wahyuningsih                               http://asribeadwork.blogspot.com/
ChristineMurrow                                  www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
Laurie Ament                                         http://isinglassdesign.blogspot.com/
Lilik Kristiani                                            http://pcbylik.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Haussler                             www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Deb Fortin                                               www.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Kelly Hosford Patterson                    www.travelingsideshow.blogspot.com
Katy Heider                                             www.onthepondcreations.blogspot.com
Christine Stonefield                            www.sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com
Dagmar Liebisch                                    http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.de
Sandra McGriff                                      http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Sheila Daniels                                         http://www.cheekymagpie.com
Rossana De Gaspari                             www.Rdegas.blogspot.com
Cory Tompkins                                      Www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
Sonya Stille                                             www.dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Judy Riggs                                                www.rigglettes.blogspot.com
Lora Bright                                               www.labweorc.wordpress.com
Tina Noonan                                           www.wingedimp.blogspot.com
Shawn Price                                            http://silkyshaven.blogspot.com
April Grinaway                                       http://brooklynbeadgoddess.blogspot.com
Cheryl Roe                                              www.beadroe.blogspot.com
Pam Hurst                                               http://pamhurst.blogspot.com
Shirley Moore                                        www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Emmanuelle Roué                               www.ashentara.blogspot.fr
Tammy Adams                                      http://paisleylizard.com/blog.html
Kristin Oppold                                        http://www.yayjewelry.blogspot.com
Catie Doman                                          http://drcatie.blogspot.com/
Sheila Prosterman                               www.catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Cheryl Foiles                                           http://cherylsartisticendeavors.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Perry                                    www.mustardbeadbystephanieperry.blogspot.com
Barbara Fernald                                    www.BarbaraSFernald.com
Debi Dufrene                                         http://debideauxdesigns.blogspot.com/
Kathy Stemke                                        http://vintagememoriesjewelry.blogspot.com/
Anne Betenson                                     www.crystalriverbeads.blogspot.com
Chris Haussler                                        http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Catherine King                                       www.Catherines-Musings.blogspot.com
Andria Poole                                          www.jewelleryartiste.blogspot.co.uk
Sherri Stokey                                         www.knotjustmacrame.com
Sharyl King                                              http://catchenthesun.wordpress.com
Donna Millard                                        http://fyrebeadz.blogspot.com/
Gayle Dyck                                              www.dragonflydreamweaver.wordpress.com
Gen Smith                                               http://www.gennysworld.blogspot.com
Deanna Cox                                            http://deannaaki.wordpress.com/
Beti Horvath                                           www.stringingfool.blogspot.com
Rose Rushbrooke                                 www.roserushbrooke.com/blog/
Arlene Dean                                           http://aglassbash.blogspot.com
Maria Rosa Sharrow                            www.willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Deborah Apodaca                                www.deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com
Veralynne Malone                               www.veradesigns.blogspot.com
Stacy Alderson                                      http://iridalsattic.blogspot.co.uk
Eva Sherman                                          http://evashermandesigns.blogspot.com/
Cassi Paslick                                            http://cassisbeads.blogspot.com/
Cindy Boissonneault                              www.dziar.com
Linda Sadler                                            www.idalouisejewelry.blogspot.com
Louise Glazier                                        http://lilyandjasmine.blogspot.com/
Susan McClelland                                 http://mistheword12.wordpress.com/
Kathrin Lembke                                    http://allesperle.blogspot.de/
Susanne Stelljes                                    www.Pearlify.blogspot.com
Terry Jeanette Carter                            www.tappingflamingo.blogspot.com
Susan Kelly                                              http://midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com
Kim Paige                                                 http://www.redtree-studio.com/blog/
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell                   www.deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Annita Wilson                                        http://awjewelryandbeadwork.blogspot.com/
Tracey Leeder                                        http://abeadifulmess.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Bunn                                      http://elizabethbeads.blogspot.com
Allison Fitzpatrick                                 alspolkadotsandpaisley.blogspot.com
Tania Spivey                                           www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com
Ilenia Ruzza                                             http://ile1974.blogspot.it/
Lauren Potts                                           www.lpsjewelry.blogspot.com
Lynn Jobber                                            http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/
Lee Koopman                                        http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Carol Wilson                                           http://jetadorn.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Woodford                            www.Elizabethcreates.blogspot.com
Deb McKinnis                                         www.willowbridgebeads.wordpress.com
Rochelle Brisson                                   http://www.acreativechelle.blogspot.com
Shari Replogle                                        www.playswithpaper.blogspot.com
Janeen Sorensen                                 www.wildvanilladesigns.com
Kat Barron Miller                                  http://mkpbeadart.blogspot.com/
Elaine Robitaille                                     http:/www.tooaquarius.com
Darlene Fortier                                      www.darliciousrejuvenations.blogspot.com
Leslie Schenkel                                      http://twistedchicken.wordpress.com/
Kym Hunter                                            http://kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com/
Leslie Wayment                                    http://www.aabeadsonline.com/blog/
Beckie Robison                                      http://spiralfirestudios.blogspot.com
Hannah Trost                                         www.pzdesigns.blogspot.com
Kim Hutchinson                                     www.jumbledhutch.wordpress.com
Liz Engriser                                              www.beadcontagion.blogspot.com
Diah Anggreni                                        https://mymaniks.wordpress.com
Monique Urquhart                              http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/
Kim Williams                                           www.kimmwilliams.blogspot.com
Theresa Buchle                                     http://www.bead-mused.blogspot.com
Susan Bowie                                           http://susanbowie.wordpress.com
Pam DeBoer                                           http://pamelas-studio.blogspot.com/
Skylar Bre'z                                             http://brisingbeads.blogspot.com/
Janet Loomis                                          www.anvilartifacts.blogspot.com
Tari Kahrs                                                 http://brush.typepad.com/my-blog/
Nancy Smith                                           www.wirednan.blogspot.ca
Erin Grant                                                www.ErinsJewelryCreations.blogspot.com
Barbara Mason                                      www.Adorninglyyours.com
Karin King                                                www.maverickbeads.blogspot.ca
Mary K. McGraw                                  www.mkaymac.blogspot.com
Mandi Ainsworth                                 www.beadcircle.com
Jasvanti Patel                                         http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Donna Conklin                                       www.PrimaDonnaBeads.com
Karen Jones                                            http://offthetopcreations.blogspot.ca/
Lori Finney                                              www.lori-finney.blogspot.ca
Sheila Davis                                             http://www.stonedesignsbysheila.blogspot.com/
Sabine Dittrich                                       www.perlendschungel.blogspot.com
Nicole Valentine Rimmer                  www.nvalentine.blogspot.com
Marge Beebe                                         www.rockcreekcreations.blogspot.com
Michelle McCarthy                              Www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Chandra Merod                                    www.Junipergoods.blogspot.com
Nancy Olliver                                          http://nancyolliver.com/blog/
Alison Sachs                                            http://beadsbyearthtones.blogspot.com/
Kay Mallery                                             www.kaymreflections.blogspot.com
Beth Petricoin                                        http://createmyworlddesigns.blogspot.com/
Marta Grabalowska                             http://galeriakota.blogspot.com/
Clare Etheridge                                     http://www.catseatdogs.com
Heather Marston                                 http://cswdesignsbyhehe.blogspot.com
Ann Rishell                                              Http://mycriticaleye.com
Cece Cormier                                         http://www.thebeadingyogini.com/
Shannon German                                 www.Missficklemediacom.blogspot.com
Mary Ellen Merrigan                           http://www.maryellenbeads.com
Cheryl Brown                                         www.dragonflybeads.ca
Mary Hicks                                              http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/
Judy Robinson                                       http://judyrobinsondesigns.com
Danielle Kelley                                       http://imbuethemuse.blogspot.com/
Cate van Alphen                                   http://fulgorine.wordpress.com/
Patricia Buchanan                                 www.braceletstoo.artfire.com
Billi R.S. Rothove                                   http://www.billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com
Laura Blanck                                           www.laurablanck.blogspot.com
Pam Traub                                               http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Fay Wolfenden                                     www.torchfairy.blogspot.com
Kristi Harrison                                        http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.com/
Karen Martinez                                     http://fairiesmarket.blogspot.com/
Sarah Singer                                           http://singingsongsofsixpence.blogspot.co.uk
Megan Tillery                                         http://cherryonion.wordpress.com/
Dana James                                            www.danasjewelrydesign.blogspot.com
Rachel Stewart                                      www.bluefinchjewelry.blogspot.com
Valerie Cook                                           www.kimisjewelryandgifts.blogspot.com
Debra Gibson                                         http://debrasheart.blogspot.com/
Pat Haight                                                http://wigglebuttblog.blogspot.com/
Rachel Stanley                                       www.2catchahummingbird.blogspot.com
Sandra Pendragon                               www.SandraPendragon.blogspot.com
Anja Schultz                                            www.Anjas-perlenwelt.blogspot.de
Sharon Driscoll                                       www.sharondriscoll.blogspot.com
Lecia Woessner                                     https://www.copperroses.blogspot.com
Kitty Durmaj                                           www.perlesandlife.blogspot.com
Donetta Farrington                              http://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com/
Bonnie Coursolle                                  http://jaspersgems.blogspot.ca/
Laurie Wirth                                            www.mermaidtreasuresart.blogspot.com
Lori Callahan                                           http://dancingwireandbeads.blogspot.com/
B.R. Kuhlman                                         www.mixedmayhemstudios.com
Karin Grosset Grange                         http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr
Rebekah Payne                                     http://www.treewingsstudio.com/
Lori Bowring Michaud                         http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Jael Thorp                                                http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com/
Patty Woodland                                    http://brokenteepee.com
Eleanor Burian-Mohr                          http://cornerstoregoddessjewelry.blogspot.com/
Susanna Lehto                                       www.othellehto.blogspot.fi
June Butt                                                 http://www.onewhiteswan.blogspot.co.nz/
Melissa Muir                                          www.Melissamuir.com/blog
Laney Mead                                           http://laney-izzybeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Tamera Norris                                        http://bytameraleah.com/
Andrea Trank                                         www.heavenlanecreations.com
Marie Covert                                          http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/
Valerie Tilghman                                   www.Artjewelzdimensions.blogspot.com
Jean Baldridge Yates                           http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Sierra Barrett                                         www.Giraffecanhas.wordpress.com
Patricia Robitaille                                  http://www.banglesandbrew.blogspot.com/
Leanne Loftus                                        www.firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com
Sally Russick                                            http://thestudiosublime.com
Mallory Hoffman                                  http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/
Dini Bruinsma                                         www.angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
Marde Lowe                                           www.fancimar.com
Hannah Annear                                     www.quirkyhannah.wordpress.com
Patty Johnson                                        http://patricialjohnsonglassart.blogspot.com/
Valerie Norton                                      www.hot-fused-glass.com
Ann Sherwood                                      http://ann-sherwood.blogspot.com/
Staci Smith                                              www.stacilouiseoriginals.com
Jen Purple                                               www.purplefishstudio.blogspot.com
Ruth Szapa                                              www.trulytrudi.blogspot.com
CJ Bauschka                                            www.Fool4Jewels.blogspot.com
Karla Morgan                                         www.texaspepperjams.blogspot.com
Suz Hamel                                               http://cardandjewelrycorner.blogspot.com/
Laura Guenther                                    www.Blueantiquities.blogspot.com
Elisabeth Auld                                        www.beadsforbusygals.com
Martha Aleo                                           www.ornamento.wordpress.com
Shiraz Biggie                                           www.secretsongdesigns.blogspot.com
Brendalee Astells                                    www.silverbee.ca
Heather d'Entremont                             http://frugalmacdougall.wordpress.com
Kelly Morgan                                          www.silverparrotdesigns.blogspot.com
Lori Blanchard                                        www.alainnjewelry.wordpress.com
Susan Kennedy                                     www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Rain Hannah                                           http://honeyandollie.com
Janice Warden Bergeron                   http://thejewelryroom.blogspot.ca/
Melissa Packer                                      www.melissascheapfrills.com
Jana Haverty                                          http://handlcreations.blogspot.com/
Cindy Ritchie                                          http://mooseriverglass.blogspot.com/
Marianne Baxter                                  www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com
Denise McCabe                                     www.cabewoman.blogspot.com
Sharon Palac                                           www.sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
Cathy Buckley                                        www.cathybuckleycatsmeow.blogspot.com
Jennifer Van Horn                                http://jennifersjewelsandjunk.blogspot.com/
Crystal Rector                                        Www.autumnskyadornments.com/blog
Susan Walls                                             http://susansartcircus.com/blog
Penny Neville                                        http://copperpennydesigns.blogspot.com
Lisa Cone                                                 http://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/
Heather Davis                                        www.heatherdavisdesigns.com
Michelle Escano                                    www.cabbycaft.blogspot.com
Carmen Lau                                            http://littlemake.blogspot.com
Janet Borzecki                                       www.jaybeejewelry.blogspot.com
Rhonda Hagerman                               http://mustardseedbeads.blogspot.com/
Katrina Taylor                                         www.iwannagoout.wordpress.com
Molly Alexander                                   http://beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com
Nicole Rennell                                       www.nicolerennell.com/blog
Chris McGilvery                                     www.mmmomentos.blogspot.com
Erin Prais-Hintz                                      http://treasures-found.blogspot.com
Dawn Williams                                       www.sadiejewelrydesign.blogspot.com
Kate Dufour                                            https://mixfolios.wordpress.com/
Robin Lynne Showstack                     http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Hodges                                  www.thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com
Adlinah Kamsir                                      http://dreamstruckdesigns.blogspot.sg/
Carol Dillman                                          http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Christine Hansen                                  http://intuitivesparks.blogspot.com/
Andrea Frank                                         http://andreajewelry.blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman                                         www.beadtrilogy.com
Denise Petersen                                   www.reinventedobjects.blogspot.com
Veronica Campos-Hallstrom                 www.clubcreativestudio.com/blog
Madonna Liza Cruz-Comia                http://crazy-notions.blogspot.com
Suzann Sladcik Wilson                        www.Beadphoria.wordpress.com
Terri Gauthier                                        http://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinache                                   http://www.allprettythings.ca
Barbara Bechtel                                    http://secondsurf.com
Hannah Rosner                                     http://goodrivergallery.blogspot.com
Keren von Hoeren                                www.creativeideen.de
Lea Avroch                                              http://lajewelrydesign.blogspot.com/
Maire Dodd                                            http://mairedodd.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Creative Spark!

Hope Smitherman of Crafty Hope and Bill Zhang of ZnetShows have truly given me back my Creative Spark.

I had been in a creative slump for the longest time...pretty much most of this year. Hope emailed a bumch of us late February asking if we would like to participate in this quarter's design team. Bill would send us all beads and we were to create something with them, and Hope would put all our work into a beautiful magazine. A total win-win for me, right?

So here's what I got:




What a brilliant way to welcome Spring...with chinese crystals and sea glass in just the right colors.
I am so very tempted to show you right here what I made with them, but I'd rather you go look at it in the Glossi Hope put together. It has designs from a lot of other designers, book review, tips and tricks and also some funnies. Its even got videos!

So..here it is:









Saturday, March 15, 2014

Bead Soup Blog Party 8 ~ Soup ingredients are here!

Hello all...am back after a super long hiatus!

I am participating in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party again this year.
Lori paired me up with the wonderful Kari Asbury of Hippie Chick Designs (blog / etsy)

I have known Kari for a while now through Facebook forums, and am SO glad I was paired with her. I have been lucky with all my partners so far, they all make their own unique, super gorgeous components! Kari makes the prettiest ephemera components and thoroughly spoiled me.

Here's what I got...

(I was too impatient to see what was inside the package to take pics of the package itself)



Aren't you floored!!! I knew I would get some cool wood pendants but this is beyond imagination.
I did tell her I usually get stumped with large focals, and she sent a sweet note, that in spite of the warning, she could not resist sending me the peacock. I am so glad she could not resist, it is drop dead gorgeous! And I think I am definitely going to make something with it...since it shows up in my dreams pretty much every day now!

She sent me two clasps..both made by her. The toggle clasp is so so so cool! The key has been attached in such a innovative way! I will take another picture when I make something with it...so its a mystery for you right now ;-) And the red brass clasp is very well made, and well-timed for me, since I have been wanting to make something like that. Now I have a sample to learn from.

I am having a hard time picking a favorite, they are all so beautiful!

In case you would like some of these tiles for yourself, here's the link to Kari's component store: Asbury Avenue Designs.

And then she sent me these co-ordinating beads, also artisan made:


The sari ribbon is from Design Talented One, ceramic beads from Gaea, and the lampwork and boro beads are from Pink Beach Studios, Art By Lisi, Firelily and Lynda's Lampwork.

This picture also has the back of one of the ephemera pendants...even the back is so pretty!

Thanks SO much Kari, you're the best!

Friday, September 27, 2013

Creative Bead Chat Thank You Blog Hop

Hmmm...so what is Creative Bead Chat?

"A home for creative component and jewelry designers to share new creations, tool tips and help build our creativity and sales ! A home for new designers as well experienced to share your experiences and ask questions. Ultimately we are a team and work together towards the goal of being proud of our accomplishments and accomplishing our dreams"

It was started by Melinda Orr and Marla James, and supported by a LOT of my friends! What started as a Facebook group has grown into a ning website of its own, called Artisan Whimsy. It has great learning resources, contests, challenges, giveaways and even a marketplace! The latest addition is a magazine of its own. And the magazine is ah-ma-zing! Like, seriously! You can read the August issue here.

The best part though, is the camaraderie and friendships being made there everyday!

The latest giveaway was hosted in July to mark the Facebook group reaching 2000 members! Over 50 components and finished jewelry pieces were given away! I had put my name in the hat, but didn't win anything. Nevertheless, I do want to participate in this blog hop to say thanks to everyone who helped make this happen!

I will start off with a pair of earrings I made a few minutes ago, last minute creation, of course :) The photos are not the best, but I wanted to make it to this hop, and so here they are!

These earrings feature components by my bead mommy, Sharyl McMillian-Nelson. You can look up that post to see the cool stuff I have received from her. What I love about her is that she is always evolving, making new components, adding on to what she learned and there is always something different and new in her shop Sharyl's Jewelry .

The polymer clay beads are a gift from my friend Lisa Caryl. She makes the most fantastic polymer clay beads and will be opening her shop on etsy soon! 

Anyhow...here's what I made:




I punched holes in the components, and added color with thread. I do love them a lot!

I bought these headpins from Heidi Kingman after I saw them on the giveaway, and didn't win. I love them a lot, and hence they are being hoarded :)






And now I will share jewelry I have made with components from other donors:

Marla has gifted me a whole lot of cool components, I am still working my way through them. Here's a necklace I made with an "arrowhead"



I received this blue focal bead as part of her Echo Creative Club. Its still available in my shop (click on the picture to go to the listing)



Shelley Graham Turner of Tori Sophia
Shelley gifted me these cute little turquoise beads :) I super love these earrings!
They are still available in my shop (click on the picture to go to the listing)

Marti Conrad of Marti's Buttons and Beads
This focal was a gift from Marti. The bracelet is available in a second shop where I sometimes list my items. Please click on the picture to go to the listing.


Janice Everett of J-Lynn Jewels

This art tile was an instant hit! I bought these at her holiday sale last year. Am looking forward to the next one so I can stock up!


And finally, one of my favorite people, Emma Todd of A Polymer Penchant! 
She gifted these discs to me along with an order I had placed. These are available, but not yet listed, do let me know if you are interested!


Here are the rest of the participants of the blog hop...
Sandra - http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com
Carolyn - http://artisanwhimsy.com/profiles/blog/list?user=07ase2t9q0suy
Kay      - http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com
Jana     - http://lasjoyasdejana.blogspot.com
Alenka  - http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Rose    - http://handedcraftedjewelrybyrose.blogspot.com
Melissa - http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Malie   - http://kumifisher.blogspot.com
Connie - http://artisanwhimsy.com/profiles/blogs/creative-bead-chat-2000-thank-you-blog-hop

 And to sign off...THANK YOU CBC! We love you!




 

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Pearls! Pearls!! Pearls!!!

My buddy Michelle of MishelDesigns is a treasure trove of knowledge as far as pearls go (and I bet she knows a lot about a lot of other things too!)

Exactly a month ago, she announced a blog hop to celebrate her beloved pearls (she has a diploma in pearls from the Gemological Institute of America!). The challenge was to design something with pearls...any kind (there are so many, I get dizzy just thinking about them!), real or imitation, as many or as little, and any form of jewelry. For the reveal, she requested the design and the source of the pearls.

I jumped in, not quite sure what I would do. Maybe a ring? Since I have not really ever made one?
And then happened my dead-internet-saga and I forgot all about it until I received an email from the lovely lady giving us further details about the hop.

Shamefaced, I thought I was too late, and will have to bow out of it. But then last night I decided I had to make at least something! She didn't put too many rules in, and I have used them before, not as a main focus, but yeah, I have used them.

Then my brain dug up the visual of a bracelet I had thought of a looooong time ago, when the components all just happened to sit next to each other (I was not even using them for what I was doing at the time!)
I heaved a sigh of relief and quickly whipped up this....




The focal is a very interesting ceramic tube bead by Marti Conrad of Marti's Buttons-n-Beads.
She had sent it to me as part of the gift from the bead fairies of Project Bead.

The pearls are keishi pearls (I am giggling as I write this, as I have a Japanese friend by that name at work), gifted by Marla Gibson of Spice Box Designs, also as part of Project Bead. The silver spacers are also gifts from my bead fairies!

I was really tempted to add some color to this...maybe bright yellow or green, but thankfully, better sense prevailed.

The bracelet is 7.5 inches long and looks super pretty :) 

And as is always the case with my designs, some beads I bought from Emma Todd of A Polymer Penchant were just sitting there doing their own thing, and I ended up making these...
The beads I used here are gifts from her :-) Yeah, I have super awesome friends! I am blessed that's for sure!!
 


The earrings on the daintier side...just shy of 1.5 inches from the top of the earwire.

Both these pieces are for sale. The bracelet: $25 + shipping, and the earrings are $15 + shipping. So let me know if you are interested :-)

There are whole bunch of super talented ladies who joined this hop. Pearls are so versatile, they can be used and strung and coiled and done-whatever-you-want-with! All these ladies have very unique styles, and its definitely a visual feast! So go on and have a look!

Sadafulee,…Always in Bloom <-- You Be Over Here

 

Friday, September 13, 2013

Focus On Life ~ Week 37 ~ In Motion

This week's prompt says:

Get moving and a grooving this week!
Stretch those creative muscles and capture things in motion.

And hence, I present this....(stretched more than my creative muscles for sure! And I had to work hard to bring into motion the thing I had captured ;-) )


Wednesday, September 11, 2013

2nd Annual Challenge Of Travel ~ Santa Clara County and California in general!


Gosh, I am SO late for this one!!!! The reveal was on August 31st, and I finished making my piece a couple weeks before that. I was all set (and excited) for the reveal, and some time around August 21st, my home internet connection decided to die. It was resurrected only yesterday, so here I am with my post!

What's it about?

Erin Prais-Hintz of Tesori Trovati had put out a call in the beginning of August to join the "staycation" edition in her "Challenge of Travel" series. We were to explore what our hometowns had to offer for visitors. Hometown could be anything...the town you grew up in, the town where you live now, any place you call home.



I was torn about "where" home is! In my heart, its always, always, always going to be India (and in my mind, when I say, I want to go home, I will always mean I want to go to India) But in reality, and for all practical purposes, home is California. So this is about California! And it is more about the history of California than present day California. Hope that is ok!

Narrowing down to where I live...Santa Clara. Silicon Valley. We have so many tech companies headquartered right here. Google, Facebook, Apple, Cisco, eBay, PayPal, LinkedIn...just to name a very select few. I guess being a tech hub is what my hometown is well known for. But I would like to step back into history and speak about the actual street that I live off of.

El Camino Real ~ The Royal Road! Before I begin singing its glories, I have to admit that I hate driving on it. With that taken care of....

This is a historical road, stretching from San Diego in Southern California to Sonoma in Northern California, connecting 21 Franciscan missions. However, the road’s importance and its name recognition have far outlasted that of the missions it originally served.
Here is more information about the road: History Of El Camino Real

*this part of my post is copied from wikipedia*
In 1892, Anna Pitcher of Pasadena, California initiated an effort to preserve the as-yet uncommemorated route of Alta California’s Camino Real. Given the lack of standardized road signs at the time, it was decided to place distinctive bells along the route, hung on supports in the form of an 11-foot (3.4 m) high shepherd's crook, also described as "a Franciscan walking stick."
*end of wikipedia excerpt*

These bells have always fascinated me...and are a very prominent part of my design.
Here's a picture of the bell over at the mission in Santa Barbara. This is the only picture of the bells that I have managed to click.


Here's a better version, not clicked by me. Click on the picture to go to original website:


Next thing that I took inspiration from for my piece...is the land here! My neighbor, who has lived on this street for close to 60 years now, says that the region was all orchards! Oranges and plums and figs! Even now, the soil is rich and extremely fertile. There used to be a huge orange orchard near my office, actually right across the street from a big Sony campus. It was a gem in the middle of the city, oranges for as far as the eye can see. I bet you noticed the past tense here. Yeah, its gone, there are apartments there now :((

Here's a picture of my own orange tree...


And the last bit of inspiration...I thought about this for a long time...what is my state known for? What does it say on the license plates? Golden state! So yeah...the last bit is the gold :) Although, I don't know of any gold panning being done where I live...I had use this bit of info about my state :-)

So...here are my earrings that I made for this challenge :-)




 These are for sale, although not on my shop. Please send me a message if you are interested :)

There was an inlinkz code for this, but since I am late..its closed :((
Please visit Erin's blog to see the other entries
http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2013/08/2nd-annual-challenge-of-travel-stevens.html.