[Bead Soup] Its the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party 2014 Reveal Day!!!

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

Welcome to the 2014 Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by Ms. Lori Anderson of Pretty Things Blog.  

This is my 4th party and this year, I was paired with Peggy of Charm Barn.  I love the assortment of bright and interesting beads and findings.  She gave so much beads that I was able to make 3 pieces and have leftover beads for another project.

One of the focal bead that she sent is a "nest."  I've always wanted to have one and finally, I got it! This necklace is called "Nestled" and is a combination of the red creek jasper, pink stones and beads and wire.  The wire nest houses a stone and since it's Mother's Day, let me share my story.  My 2 siblings and I live in different countries and my parents are on their own.  The stone inside the nest signifies that no matter where we are, the 3 of us are safe and secure in our mom's heart.

"Nestled"
8th Bead Soup Blog Party 2014

One of the clasps she sent had crystals on it.  Very nice!  I like the combination of the pink beads against the stone.

"Nestled"
8th Bead Soup Blog Party

Take a look at these cute silver spacer beads.  Is it a bird, a whale or a fish?  LOL.  I wanted to do something fun and colorful with it and since I had light blue and purple hemp cord available, I made a macrame bracelet with a sliding knot closure.  The ends were finished with a silver bead.  Fun!  Fun!  Fun!

Macrame Bracelet
8th Bead Soup Blog Party 

And finally, I made this statement bracelet.  It started out with making a wire base using a thick gauge wire and then adding the rest of the beads.  I formed the base flower using Vintaj copper wire and filled it up with crystals and pearls.  Then the finished flower is placed and wired on top of the frame.  It sits on the wrist nicely and the pop of color shouts "Spring!"

Wire-Wrapped Floral Bracelet

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  Please head over to my partner, Peggy of Bead Charm to see what she's made.  Click on this LINK to see the rest of the participants.  

I would like to thank Ms. Lori for all her hard work in making this party possible.  

Have fun!

♥ michelle

[Bead Soup Blog Party] The 8th BSBP with Peggy

What's cookin'?

8th Bead Soup Blog Party

Oh yes!  It's the 8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by Ms. Lori Anderson.  This is my 3rd year to participate and my partner is Ms. Peggy Johnson of Charm Barn.  It is her first bead soup blog party and I am excited for her.  She sent me a wonderful and delicious assortment of beads, findings and components.

Beads, componenets and mixed media pendants

This is gonna be fun and I think I will be making a couple of necklaces, bracelets and / or earrings.  I love the bright colored beads, perfect for spring and summer. 

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These are what I sent Peggy.  I sent her a color assortment that is different from what she likes (pink) but I hope she enjoys working with it.  The pendant was made from polymer clay.

The reveal day is on May 3rd and I hope to see you then.  Happy beading!

[Challenge] I'm a Winner! Polymer clay faux stone

Do you remember the "Serenity Necklace" that I shared HERE?  Well, it won 3rd place among 16 entries during our guilds' recently concluded retreat challenge "Friends and Faux."  Wooohoo!  I have been doing the happy dance since the weekend.

Premo Sculpey Polymer Clay Faux Larsonite Stone Embroidered Necklace

The left photo is the original piece but I decided to add picot edging which turned out pretty nice.  The cabochons were made using Premo Sculpey polymer clay and alcohol inks.
Someone told me that it looked like Larsonite or Gary Green Jasper.  According to Hetties' website: 

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"Larsonite is also known as Gary Green Jasper, or McDermitt Green Jasper. "Wood, algae, other swamp vegetation and mud were covered by volcanic ash between and 11 and 14 million years ago. Water carrying minerals seeped in creating the green colour while it petrified. The colours are from a combination of iron (44,600 PPM), Alluminum (11,000 PPM), Potassium (5,030PPM), Sodium (1,550 PPM), and Calcium (1,020 PPM)."

I was humbled by the recognition that I received from my peers.  This inspired me to practice and be more creative.  It takes a lot of patience and love for the craft or whatever it is that we are doing to come up with something wonderful.

Have a wonderful day!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Blog Hop] 2013 Bead Hoarders Blog Hop

Hello there!  

Today is the day for the 2013 Bead Hoarders Blog Hop hosted by Ms. Lori Anderson of Pretty Things Blog.

I have confessed that I am a bead hoarder (among others) and whereas other women go crazy when shopping for shoes and bags, I go crazy in craft and online stores shopping for beads and what nots.

I've had these oval pendants for 3 years and never knew what to do with them... until recently.
A few years ago, I took the beginner and advanced jewelry making class with Mr. Em Mariano, one of the Philippines' jewelry designers.  One of the things that he taught us was how to wire wrap beads.  

I haven't practiced wire wrapping for a long time but after playing with several feet of wire, I was able to complete the piece.  The accent in the center is made of ceramic, agate, pearl and crystal beads.  The handmade bail hangs on a leather cord.

Thanks for stopping by the blog.
♥ ☺Time to check out the rest of the hoarders ☺ ♥

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

2. Nancy Dale, NEDBeads

3. Roxanne Mendoza, Roxi Designs

4.  Melissa Trudinger, beadrecipes

5.  Rana Lea, Rana Lea Designs

6.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs

7.  Rita Avila, Jewel School Friends

8.  Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board

  10.  Erin Guest, Renlish

11.  Joan Williams, lilruby jewelry

12. Diane Hawkey, Diane Hawkey

13.  Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

14.  Sue Kennedy, SueBeads

15.  Lisa Cone, Inspired Adornments

16.  Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design

17.  Nichole Byers, Nichole Byers

18.  Lori Jean Poppe, Adventures in Creativity

19.  Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings

20.  Lori Schneider, Bead Addict

21.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me

22. Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini

23.  Niki Sayers, Silver Nik Nats

24.  Elsie Deliz-Fonseca, Eliz-Eliz and All That Craft

25.  Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul

26.  Heather Powers, Humblebeads

27.  Sarah Goode, Pookledo

28.  Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion

29.  JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

30.  Cheri Reed, Creative Designs by Cheri

31.  Robyn, Museiddity

32.  Catherine King, Catherine's Musings

33.  Jacquie, Bead Gypsy

34.  Janet McDonald, Singing Woods

35. Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreations

36.  Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti

37.  Hannah Rosner, Good River Valley

38.  Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle

39.  Nelly May, Smelly Nelly

40.  Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads

41.  Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool

42.  Christie Murrow, Charis Designs

43.  Leanne Loftus, First Impression Design

44.  Valerie Norton, Hot Art

45.  Judy Riggs, Rigglettes

46.  Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

47.  Terry Carter,  Tapping Flamingo

48.  Sue, Mid-Life Great Expectations

49.  Nan Smith, Wired Nan

50.  Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck Arts

51.  Marie Covert, Creating Interest

52.  D'Arsie Manzella, This Here Now, Mamacita

53.  Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs

54.  Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design

55.  Johanna Nunez, The Lovely One Design

56.  Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs

57.  Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs

58.  Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things

59.  Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

60.  Nat, Grubbi Ceramics

61.  Marjorie Savill Linthwaite, Bennu Bird Rising

62.  Cheryl McCloud, One Thing Leads to Another

63.  Heather Otto, The Crafthopper

64.  Candida Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

66.  JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin

67.  Ginger Bishop, Lil Mummy Likes

68.  Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design

69.  Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog

70.  Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes

71.  Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit

72.  Shalini Austin, Jewellery by Shalini

73.  Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle

74.  Ile Ruzza, Ilenia's Unique Beaded Jewelry

76.  Annita Wilson, AW Jewelry 

77.  Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame

78.  Hannah Trost, PZ Designs

79.  Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry

80.  Miri Agassi, Beadwork

81.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope

82.  Dyanne Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations

83.  Susan Bowie, Susan Nelson Bowie

84.  Megan Milliken, MaeMaeMills

85.  Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry

86.  Ambra Gostoli, Chic and Frog

87.  Lori Lochner, Bloghner

88.  Gerda Jurimae, Gerda's Crafts Blog

89.  Susan, Mistheword

90.  MaryLou Holvenstot, MaryLou's time2cre8

91.  Mary Shannon Hicks, falling into the sky

92.  Karin King, The Sparklie Things Blog

93.  Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman

94.  Jenny Davie-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor

95.  Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

96.  Mallory Hoffman, Rosebud 101 - For the Love of Beads

97.  Danielle Kelley, Imbue the Muse

98.  Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs

99.  Dolores Rami, CraftyD's Creations

100.  Marcia Dunne, 13 Alternatives

101.  Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs

102.  Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant

103.  Wendy Holder, Jewelry by WendyLea

104.  Michelle Escano, The Cabby Crafter - YOU ARE HERE ☺

105.  Louise Glazier, Lily and Jasmine Treasures

106.  Dana Hickey, Wind Dancer Studios

107.  Lennis Carter, windbent

108.  Anne Betenson, Crystal River Beads

109.  Audrey Belanger,  Dreams of an Absolution

110.  Lisa Stukel, Carefree Jewelry by Lisa

111.  Janine Lucas, Travel Stories

112.  Claire Lockwood, Something to Do With Your Hands

113.  Kathy Engstrom, Catherine's Dreams

114.  Paula Hisel, Simply Beadiful

115.  Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams

116.  Mischelle Fanucchi, Micheladas Musings

117.  Kim, Cianci Blue

118.  Linda Sadler, Ida Louise Jewelry

119.  Karen, Spokalulu

120.  Jennifer LaVite, Dry Gulch Bead and Jewelry

121.  Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations

122.  Karen Martinez, Fairies Market

123.  Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD

124.  Amy Bright, LABweorc

125.  Jasvanti Patel, Jewels by Jasvanti

126.  Tammie Everly, TTE Designs

127.  Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads

128.  Natalie Moten, Running Out of Thread

129.  Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections

130.  Jenny Kyrlach, Wonder and Whimsy

131.  LiliKrist, Handmade by LilK

132.  Jessica Klaaren, The Truth Space

133.  Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures

134.  Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

135.  Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads

136.  Jeanne, Gems by Jeanne Marie

137.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe

138.  Laren Dee Barton, Laren Dee Designs

139.  Steph, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder

140.  Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

141.  B. R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem

142.  Patty Miller, Cabari Beads

143.  Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads

144.  Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things

145.  Lizzie Clarke, The Need to Bead

146.  Christina Miles, Wings 'n' Scales

147.  Patricia, The Color of Dreams

148.  Marde Lowe, Fancimar

149.  Ev Shelby, Raindrop Creations

150.  Sarah Small, By Salla

151.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs

152.  Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry

153.  Pam Traub, Klassy Joolz

154.  Lisa Harrison, Daisy Meadow Studio

155.  Anzia Parks, Anzi-Panzi's Work Shoppe

156.  Ingrid, Lilisgems Handcrafted Jewelry Inspirations

157.  Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey

158.  Kelly Hosford Patterson, The Traveling Side Show

159.  Adlinah Kamsir, Dreamstruck Designs

160.  Marci, That Nothing Be Wasted

161.  Kris Lanae Binsfield,  Cherish Designs

162.  Stephanie Perry, Mustard Bead

163.  Birgit Klughardt, Gites Beads

164.  Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog

165.  Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place

166.  Sandy Markley, Gypsy Spirit Designs

167.  Elena Adams, Lena's Beady Blog

Have a wonderful day!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Blog Hop] Bead Hoarders Blog Hop 2013 is coming soon!

Welcome back!

We are 5 days away from the annual Bead Hoarders Blog Hop hosted by Ms. Lori Anderson.

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop 2013

I have accumulated a lot of beads from previous bead soup parties and personal purchases.  Oh yes, I am a hoarder, a pack rat or whatever but it's in times like this that my being "that" comes in handy. LOL.

The variety of beads and stones on the platter looks so pretty but instead of putting them in a safe place like I usually do, they will serve its purpose this time.. hopefully.

I have finished the base for the pendant and will be working on the accents and trimmings in the next couple of days.

Do come back and visit on Saturday and party with us!  

See you soon!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Color Challenge] I Love Greens!

Welcome back.

I discovered a new colorful blog:  Brand Girl Blog.  Her blog is so much fun especially if you love color.  BrandiGirl  hosted a Color Challenge where we had to choose from several color palettes and make something out of it. Today was the last day of submission and I made it just in time.

  

There were 6 color gorgeous palettes to choose from and I chose palette #1.  I love greens remember?

The pendant is polymer clay made with the Rocky Path  technique.  The photo doesn't show it but there are gold flecks peeking in between the shades of green.  I added glass beads that dangle along the chain and a pair of cream agate round beads.  I love how it turned out.

I am planning to take another photo tomorrow so do come back to check it out.  

Have a wonderful and colorful day!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Beads] Bead Hoarders Blog Hop

Hello friends!  I have a confession to make:  I am a bead hoarder  and I'm so happy that I'm not the only one.  LOL.

Ms. Lori Anderson of Pretty Things Blog, host of the Bead Soup Blog Party series and author of the book "Bead Soup" is hosting the "Bead Hoarders Blog Hop" on July 20, 2013.

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop



All of us have a box or even a trunk of beads, charms or findings that we are holding on to because one, we don't know what to do with them or two, they are too special to make into a piece to wear for our own or to sell. Well, I have my own stash of beads that will see the light once again.

See you on July 20!

Have a wonderful and blessed week.

♥  michelle  ♥

[7th Bead Soup Blog Party] For Rebecca

Welcome back!

As I have mentioned HERE, I am part of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by Ms. Lori Anderson.  This year, I was paired with the talented Ms. Rebecca.  These were the ingredients that I sent her:

Ms. Lori required us to give a focal pendant and a clasp - the other beads and findings are just "add-ons."  I made Ms. Rebecca a round concave pendant made from Premo polymer clay. 

I am so excited to see what she cooked.

These were what she sent me.  Aren't they gorgeous? 

Come back on Friday and party with us.

See ya!
♥  Michelle  ♥

[7th Bead Soup Blog Party] Introducing.. my partner ♥

It's almost time for the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by Ms. Lori Anderson and my 3rd partaaaay!

I like joining Lori's parties because I get to meet new friends - this year, my partner is Rebecca.  

I was so excited to receive my bead soup... Yay!

She sent me a lovely assortment of beads and findings!  I love the polymer clay heart pendant and butterfly discs that she made.  The blue lucite (i think) beads are beautiful!  I love the color palette - blues, greens and browns... nice!

7th Bead Soup Blog Party April 2013
Beads from Rebecca

These are some of Becca's works.  I like how she designs and incorporates different elements to create a cohesive look.  She made this necklace during one of the bead soup parties and it was featured by Jewelry Making magazine.  

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Becca incorporated

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Take a look at this "Sun" pendant that she made.  Isn't it gorgeous?

[via]

She made this necklace for the solar flare blog hop.  I love her wire work because she makes wire look so neat and very feminine.  

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We will be in the 3rd reveal date which will be on April 13, 2013 so do come back and see what we came up with the beads that we sent each other.  See you soon!

Blessings!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Bead Soup Blog Party 7] Let's get Cookin'!

Welcome back!

The time has come for you to sign-up if you want to join this awesome party hosted by Ms. Lori Anderson of Pretty Things Blog.

This is my third time to join and I'm as excited as the first time.  It's fun to meet creative and talented ladies!  The party has allowed me to become friends with these ladies beyond the parties.

I joined the 5th Bead Soup Blog Party in April 2012 where I was paired with Melissa Meman.

The bead soup that she sent was awesome!  I loved everything!  She made the metal focal, enameled beads and the wire-wrapped clasp.  The enameled beads in particular made me jot it down in my "to learn" things.

I loved designing the necklace.  The unused beads will see light one of these days.  Visit Melissa's BLOG see and read about her work.

This was was I sent Melissa - I made a floral focal bead using polymer clay and brass filigree.  

I love her design.

My second BSBP was in August 2012 where I was paired with Sonya Stille.  The bead soup that she sent was gorgeous!  She sent enameled beads and a metal leaf that she did herself.  Read more about it HERE. 

The focal bead was made of polymer clay using the mica shift technique.  Sonya is very good at seed beading - don't you just love what she did?  Visit Sonya's BLOG.

So what are you waiting for?  You have until tomorrow, January 27 to sign-up.

Get those beads ready and let's parteeeee!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Michelle ♥