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!