BSBP - What I Sent My Partner (hint: lots of Artisan Beads!)

I was paired with Natasha Lutes of N's Whims for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party.  I shared in a previous post what her soup contained. Natasha does not work with a lot of silver - but that is the metal that I tend to veer towards.  So, going by Lori's suggestion to send what "we" like, I picked from my favorite color palettes, as well as my favorite artists.  Here is what I sent to Natasha:

• Two gorgeous, handcrafted porcelain focal pendants by Nancy Schindler.  These pendants are made in my favorite color – blue.  She is so creative, and I just love her work!
• Two sets of lamp work spacer beads by Kelley Ford Wenzel in two different shades of blue. Kelley was one of the first lamp work artists that I found on the Internet and I love the colors of these beads - especially with the chosen focal.
• A set of white, sparkly mini-spacer lamp work beads by artist Sue Kennedy.  I have purchased A LOT of beads from Sue – her work is phenomenal!  She has named these beads “white sparkly pixie” as the glass is rolled in pixie dust.  Such a nice shimmer to these beads!
• I needed a secondary color - something that popped with the blue.  So, I included two, yellow enameled filigree rounds from Anne Gardanne.  Anne also makes exceptional lamp work beads, but her enamel work is just gorgeous!
• I also included two, fairly large sterling silver Bali beads and some sterling silver chain.
• I had the hardest time finding a clasp!  Ever since I bought Denise Peck's book "Handcrafted Findings", I have been making alot of my own clasps (as well as ear wires, connectors, etc.)!  So, I made two of them:

I worried most about the clasps - I hope they don't appear to be "too homemade", if you know what I mean!

I cannot wait to see what Natasha has created!  Be sure to come back on March 3 for the reveal!

Thank you for stopping by!

Bead Soup Ingredients!

I received my Bead Soup ingredients from my partner Natasha Lutes today!

The package:

The ingredients!

The focal:

While these are colors I am used to...the shape I am not!  I see some creative wire wrapping in my future!

The clasps - vintaj (yeah!)

Most of my work involves silver -- a little copper, but mostly silver.  This will be fun!

She even gave me LOTS of coordinating Vintaj components:

 And, some coordinating semi-precious gemstones:

And last...but certainly not least...she gave me some peacock pearls and a few glass rondelles:

I have have several designs floating in my head...can't wait to start working on this!!!

Many thanks to Natasha for this gift!  And, of course, thank you Lori Anderson for hosting this party!  Stay tuned for the big reveal on March 3!!!

Bead Soup Blog Party - Teaser

I feel so honored - and downright scared - to have been "randomly" selected as one of the participants of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party!  I have only recently plunged into Blogland and opened an Etsy store, so my self-confidence is lacking!  But, I know this challenge will push me, creatively speaking, and for that, Lori, I thank you so much for this opportunity!

My partner for this venture is Natasha Lutes of N's Whims. A Wisconsin girl!!  My entire family (except me) is from Wisconsin - Cheese Heads and Packer Backers through and through - sorry about the game last week :(

I struggled with what to send her, but received emails from Lori telling us to send what we ourselves like...so that's what I did.  Then I struggled for two days on how to package the soup!  I have seen the extent of what other people have done with their packaging - it's like Christmas, or a special Birthday event!  I am afraid that my creativity in the packaging department just isn't there lately, but I did my best. Here is a sneak peak:

I sure hope she likes it! The big reveal date is March 3rd - 200 participants!  How exciting is that?!

Thanks for stopping by!