I always hoped I’d be able to take part in one of Lori Anderson’s Bead Soup Blog Parties, and this year I am! This year it is the Bead Hoarders Edition with the idea of counteracting the negativity in the world by sending someone else something we treasure. Host Lori Anderson advised us to pick something we love and hoard and package it up with a note prior to knowing who our partner is. That is what I did, but it wasn’t easy because I hoard everything bead related. My partner is Lorelei Eurto. I love all her work and own several of her pieces. I learned a lot about art beads from her blog and shops, and I believe I have every one of her tutorials and the book she co-authored. (No pressure!) She sent an amazing group of things!
The resin charm and copper wrapped key are from Miss Fickle Media, three (!) coils of WoolyWire, two packages of enameled beauties from Art Incendi, a beautiful donut from The Classic Bead, an owl pendant by Golem Studio and another gorgeous donut from Marsha Neal Studio. Wow! I love everything.
It was not my intention to use most of what Lorelei sent in time for the hop, but I did! So, on with the show.
This necklace uses the trio of Art Incendi hearts with beads from my stash on waxed linen with a macrame loop. I included a few beads I’ve had for many years (we’re talking double digits) – the dark green irregular shaped beads with gold and the pumpkin shaped light green. I ended it with a painted polymer clay box clasp by Sherri Stokey that I’ve been hoarding for just the right piece.
Lorelei included so many lovely items, I decided to make a charm necklace. In keeping with the theme of this hop, I used some of my own favorite items.
Here is a close up of the charm part so you can see them better.
I used one of the enamel over brass charms from Art Incendi and the resin piece from Miss Fickle Media. From my own stash, I wire wrapped some garnets (my first gemstone crush and still a favorite) and a fabulous Staci Louise Smith crystal and polymer drop. I hung all of them off of a verdigis metal triple ring, also from Staci Louise Smith. I used a strand of every other way simple cut turquoise. The simple cut is my favorite shape, even more so when the holes are drilled through every other bead top to bottom and every other bead side to side.
Lorelei is a big owl fan, and she generously sent me a beautiful owl pendant by Golem Studio. I often feel I “should” try new things and new designs. But with this pendant, I went classic. I just love a simple, knotted necklace. Meditative and relaxing to make, easy to wear.
I used several different Czech glass beads, waxed linen and a sterling toggle clasp.
I told Lorelei that I was glad she had sent some donuts because I find those a little challenging. I love the Marsha Neal green and turquoise donut she sent. I have a small Marsha Neal stash, and this will help me become more confident in using the donuts. I absolutely love the colors and the multiple textures.
I thought roman glass would be perfect with the donut, but I couldn’t quite get my shapes to work for me. I did put a few pieces above the donut on wire to form a pendant, and I do love how they look! I tried a variety of other beads with the pendant, but nothing worked as well as the leftover turquoise from the charm necklace I also made for this hop! I added some suede, chain, one dyed malachite bead and a toggle clasp from Miss Fickle Media.
I used the enamel starfish by Art Incendi in a bracelet with some jasper and copper. I strung it on leather and added a wire wrapped stone and copper goddess charm.
I just couldn’t stop being inspired. The Miss Fickle Media key is such a unique statement piece, I knew I wouldn’t need much with it. Some very large ball chain I got at the hardware store came to mind as something that was also a bit different and could hold its own with the key!
I added a wire wrapped black tourmaline nugget with some irregular large holed glass beads on a large jump ring for a little color.
I like what some might consider unusual color combinations. I find them very exciting and energizing, so that’s what I’ve used here – red and chartreuse – with the donut from The Classic Bead.
Many pendants by Tracee Dock of The Classic Bead (yes, I have a stash) bring to mind the country cottage look – comfortable, pretty, soft. I decided to take this one a different way! I used a mix of vintage Czech glass beads (I love the whimsical nature of the dice), and metal. I even put chartreuse seed beads in this peek-a-boo toggle bar.
Last but not least, Lorelei said she included WoolyWire to boost my creativity. I have to admit, I struggled a little with how to best use some of it. Then I decided to put a smoke-fired heart pendant by Kristie Roeder of Artisan Clay with some matte amazonite rounds. I made a bail form for the pendant and wrapped some WoolyWire around it. Perfect color!
I had so much fun creating for this hop and am grateful to my partner Lorelei Eurto. Please visit her blog to see what I sent her and what she made. Also, visit our host Lori Anderson’s blog to see what she made and access the links to the over 150 other people who have also taken part in this Bead Soup Blog Party Blog and Pinterest hop. You can also click on the links below. Have fun; I will!
Lori Anderson :: Hostess
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When I got the kit, which is everything in the front through the small green rounds, I could not separate the beads. They were so perfect that I used them just as they were. I added a few African glass beads, metal and some chain with a hefty clasp at the back. Easy-peasy, and now, a beautiful necklace!
Bead Love 