Bead Swap# 7 and # 8 - with Moobie Grace Designs

My bead swap results continues!  Today's package of goodies contained the following beads, generously given to me by Tania of Moobie Grace Designs (click on the pictures to get a better view):

I ended up making three pairs of earrings from these gorgeous lampwork beads.

Turns out that the colors in the disc beads were a perfect complement to the round beads! So, I wire wrapped with silver wire the discs and  rounds to make these fun earrings.  I added sterling spacer beads and hand forged ear wires.

These colors and textures formed in these beautiful grey lentil beads remind me of the mountains with a stream running below.  I formed a flower with some enameled bead caps and ear wires, from Sue Kennedy, and some brass bead caps I had on hand.

I wanted to keep these earrings simple - loving the teal and red together - so I just added small oval silver beads.

The next bead pouch contained a stunning toggle and 2 charms, all made by Tania:

The fuchsia charms are so vibrant and have pops of blue and orange added - look at the details!  Anyway, they stumped me for a while, as this is not a color palette that I have used before!  However, I have been hoarding  buying quite a few Tangerine Tango beads lately, so I found two in my stash - these are from GlassBeadArt - and made some fun and funky earrings.



My last piece is a bracelet made with the beautiful taupe toggle.  I combined some gorgeous raku beads from Duane Collins of Elements Pottery.  I also wired-up another flower charm, with enameled componets made by Sue Kennedy.

The raku beads are just gorgeous - a picture cannot capture all of the beautiful colors!

I am almost done with my soup ingredients!  Thank you again Tania, and Lori Anderson for organizing this amazing, impromptu swap!

Thank you for stopping by today!

Going Tribal - Bead Swap # 6 with Moobie Grace Designs

My Bead Swap with the lovely beads received from Tania at Moobie Grace Designs continues!

Here is the contents of this bag of goodies:

This bag was bulging with beady goodness...lots and lots of shells, coral, baroque pearls, mother of pearl, and two gorgeous lentil beads made by Tania.  My niece Rachel's honeymoon next month is in Jamaica, so I decided to make her a beachy-tribal themed set. 

Tania's polymer clay lentils are just stunning!

 I used copper colored beading wire and Vintaj chain for the necklace.

Isn't this mermaid clasp sweet!!??

I really like the color of the copper beading wire, so I strung a few shells and pearls, crimped at the top, and added handmade brass ear wires.

A perfectly themed set for Rachel to wear with a sundress on the beach!

Thanks again, Tania, and thank you for stopping by today!

Bead Swap # 5 - with Moobie Grace Designs

Today is my reveal for my 5th installment of "What I created with the bead swap gifts from Tania of Moobie Grace Designs!  This next one was a challenge - Tania created these gorgeous, hand forged copper hearts: (click on the pictures for a better view)

She also made the copper clay moon charm!  I have not used the charm yet...but I will!  Anyway, at first I thought the hearts could be used for earrings, but they are too large.  And, since I had two, I did not want to only use one as a pendant in a necklace....so, I found a way to use them both in one necklace.  I paired them with gorgeous, handmade swirled beads from Duane Collins of Elements Pottery.

There is no way my pictures can illustrate the phenomenal colors, luster, and sheen coming from these beads!

I used a couple of copper bead caps that I had etched and wired everything together with heavy gauge copper wire.  I also made a very simple clasp.

I patina-ted all of the metals with my torch before assembly, then used some Renaissance Wax to protect the effects.  I also found two brushed copper hearts that I made into earrings.

Its always hard for me to take a good picture of necklaces - Surprisingly, this lays very well on the neck when worn!  So pleased!

Thanks again Tania!  And, thank you for stopping by today!

Bead Swap # 4 - with Moobie Grace Designs

Yes...another Bead Swap project, thanks to the generosity of Tania at Moobie Grace Designs! Props again to Ms Lori Anderson for orchestrating this swap!  I am having way too much fun!!

I must say...almost every package of beads sent to me by Tania are not something I would initially choose for myself.  Thank goodness!  I am at the point where I feel that every piece of jewelry I make looks just like the last piece....  Don't get me wrong...I LOVE LAMPWORK BEADS...my go-to-bead-of-choice - but, I need to branch out! Using these gorgeous gemstones is really helping me to get away from that feeling.  Today's package contains beads and gemstones in shades of forest green (please click on the photos for a larger view):

Tania made the focal - STUNNING - the shading and subtle tones of green are so pretty!

I tried to get a picture above, that highlights her handmade, wire wrapped bail - and, there are two sweet lampwork beads that flank the pendant, as well.

I made a simple clasp for the necklace.

This necklace is so pretty when worn - it really lays well on the neck.  All I had to add was some copper-colored beading wire, a few brushed copper beads, and the clasp.

The earrings include sweet little czech glass flower buds - I love these!

Many thanks again, Tania and thank you for stoppinng by!

Bead Swap #3 - with Moobie Grace Designs

Today, I am sharing my 3rd creation, made with the lovely collection of beads I received from Tania of Moobie Grace Designs.  I may sound like a broken record here, but I must send a "thank you" once again to Lori Anderson for orchestrating this impromptu swap!

Today's creation evolved from this - a stunning color combo of soft greys and yellows:

Tania, an artist in her own right, created this lovely polymer clay bead:

And she also included this very cool lampwork owl:

These colors are just fabulous together!

Close-up of the earrings, strung on my handmade sterling silver ear wires.

The set -

There is just a touch of asymmetry here - not my forte.  I LOVE this set!

Thanks again Tania, and thank you for stopping by today!

Bead Swap #2 - with Moobie Grace Designs

I am slowly but surely working through the wonderful beads, generously given to me by Tania at Moobie Grace Designs.  The swap was orchestrated by the lovely Lori Anderson (thanks again, Lori!)  Today's necklace and earrings were made from this group of lovelies:

These are truly my favorite, go-to colors.  She made the awesome polymer clay lentils - they are so gorgeous and the design is so intricate! 

And, the sodalite beads add just the right shade of blue! I made a necklace using sterling silver beading wire, and added a few silver beads and bead caps here and there.

I added just a touch of sterling silver chain and a hand forged sterling silver clasp.  Love the little Czech glass beads, too!

Love that focal! And, I made earrings, with handmade ear wires, to match.

I wore this to church last night, and felt like a queen! 

Tania was overly generous and sent me 10 bags of various "bead soups".  These are challenging to me, as I typically work with wire.  Many of these beads have tiny holes, which has required that I dig out my crimping tool!  I have actually worked through 6 of the 10 sets so far and have loved every minute of it!

Thanks again, Tania!  You were so generous!  And, thank you for stopping by today!

Bead Swap Results #1 - with Moobie Grace Designs

I could not wait to get started on a project using the lovely beads I received from Tania of Moobie Grade Designs in the impromptu Bead Swap, spearheaded by the lovely Lori Anderson.  Remember these beads?

There was really no design effort required on my part - I mean, look at those beads?  I was particularly taken with the Golem ceramic beads....to say I love them is an understatement!  The soft teal color accented by the yellows and whites are perfection. As I said before, Tania obviously has an eye for color, texture, and shapes as the accompanying beads are perfect!

Anyway, I decided on a necklace and earrings.  All I had to do was add tiny sterling spacers, and a toggle - I did add some tiny white seed beads....underneath the lentils...as I don't like to see the stringing wire.  It lays much better this way, too.

I love these earrings!  I actually do not wear very much jewelry, but when I do, the earrings are always "on the small side".  I made the ear wires and strung just one bead.

This is a set that I cannot wait to wear!  It screams "Spring"! 

Thank you again Tania, and thanks for stopping by!

Bead Swap - with Moobie Grace Designs

After the 5th Bead Soup Blog Party, Lori Anderson of Pretty Things hosted a quick "Bead Swap" via Facebook - submit your name, she pairs you with a partner, and you swap beads. (Thank you, Lori!)  For some reason, the starts were aligned and the Bead Gods were shining down on me, as I was paired with Tania-Chris Collinson-Spivey, of Moobie Grace Designs.  The idea was to swap some beads, hopefully spiking creativity, and meet a new friend.  Boy, did I hit pay dirt!.

I was a little concerned when she mentioned on Facebook that her "box" was too heavy for "regular mail".....I did not receive "some beads"....I received ten (yes....10) individual packets of thoughtfully chosen beady ingredients.  And let me tell you, Tania's right brain was really working the day she put these soups together, because her eye for color and texture is absolutely amazing!  Here are some pics of each packet of goodness, not shown in any particular order:

Tania made these blue polymer clay lentils - these are quite possibly my favorite from the thousands of beads she sent! (They are Mom's favorite, too!)

Look at these charms...and that awesome toggle clasp!  SHE MADE THESE!  I still cannot get over the intricacies of each element on those beads!!  Aren't they just gorgeous!  That toggle has to end up as a front closure/focal on whatever I end up making!

Golem!  I swear, these exact beads were in my shopping cart at one point in my past...I just love red and black...and that pop of yellow....well, it is just perfection!

 

She made that floral focal...and look at the lampwork owl!!  These soft greys and yellow....just yummy!

She also works in copper clay...and look at the hand forged hearts!

This focal - again made by Tania - is ridiculously gorgeous! 

I really love how this little birdie sits in this toggle base - again - a front closure/focal just waiting to happen!

Golem...again!  Look at these colors!

She made the polymer clays lentils - near the front of the bottom picture, as well.

Her assemblage of colors, textures, and shapes for each soup is just stunning to me, and I am so humbled to receive these gifts! I will update in future posts what has been created...I only hope that I can do them justice....

Thank you so much Tania (and you, too, Lori)!  Thanks for stopping by!