My Boyfriend Makes Beads!!! What a Happy Girl I am!!!

My boyfriend (Keith aka Boyfriend) picked up lampworking around February of 2012. Since then it has taken quite some time to get him motivated on doing anything serious with it but after he recently invested in a new torch set up and an ever so kind friend (Dean Abner of Bubby & McGurk Beads sent him some WONDERFUL resources) he's finally getting into his groove!! I can't say how excited I am to have a partner who cares enough to find a way to make himself a part of my hobby! This blog is my way of sharing that with you my followers and random viewers. In this blog I will show off some of my favorite sets and some pieces made using the up and coming "Boyfriend's Beads". You can follow him on Facebook or check out his Etsy shop for more info and samples! I also have some older sets in my photos on my Facebook as well. Feel free to join us in our networking!! :)

And here they are ladies and gentlemen. Some of my favorite sets/pieces of "Boyfriend's Beads"

These are what I refer to as the "Peacock Pattern". Not sure where that came from but it sticks. I was browsing a bead store and found the most perfect feathers for these.. here's a sample. 

Another one of my favorite sets of Keith's beads are what we call the "Tiger Pattern". The peacock set was one of his first sets and shortly thereafter came the tiger set. So rich in color I fell hard for these babies!! 

Now, as of lately Boyfriend has been getting into some specialty glass and frits. I can say I am REALLY enjoying that part! Some of my favorite specialty sets I'm having a very hard time parting with, and one I've already decided to keep. 

This last set is one I kept for myself. I made a nifty leather wrap that showcase the beads and have 2 beads left to make matching earrings. I LOVE this set!!! 

I also made some other random pieces with some beads focusing moreso on the piece as a whole as opposed to trying to showcase the beads. They ended up being some great fillers! 

Here I used a set where the frit hadn't quite turned. I thought it was perfect for spring. As things are just starting to bloom, so was the frit. 

On this piece, the specialty green set with accenting sea foam green beads worked GREAT with my stamped and painted focal. I couldn't be more happy with this piece! 

On this one I used some "Messy Olive" glass beads to add to my acorn stamped and painted focal. This one looks better in person! 

I've had this sea horse for years now. It finally came together for me with some of Boyfriend's creamy glass and light transparent green dots. Just goes to show... there will come a time for EVERY bead piece you collect. (Told ya Mom! hahah)

This is the last one I promise! You should really click the image on this one to enlarge the photo and see the beads. I was going for something beachy when I picked this glass out. The black was a total fluke. Did not expect it but I loved it. It reminded me of black beach stones. So the bead, to me, has blue for water, white sandy tone for white sandy beaches, and black for the beach stones. The sari silk and pendant give it an Island feel and the pearls and Swarovksi crystals jazz it up a bit while the riverstone ties it all together. 

There are just so many possibilities in jewelry and that's why I love it so much. The creativity is never ending. There are always new avenues to explore. So explore some "Boyfriend's Beads" and see what kind of inspiration he can ignite in your designs!

BEAD SOUP REVEAL TIME!!!

Bead soup is an amazing event I think all beaders should take part in at least ONCE in their lifetime. It will be a memorable moment I promise you! The event was created and is managed by the AMAZING Lori Anderson from Pretty Things Blog. Lori is beyond amazing actually. How this woman organizes an event with over 500 people involved as well as manage her other priorities, health and of course her little one, I will never know but bless her for it because it is TRULY a rewarding experience.

How does it work you might ask? Well she picks you a partner, you send eachother a focal, clasp, and coordinating beads. On your reveal date, you show what you've made with the items! So without further adieu.. I give you my bead soup. But first... a reminder of what my partner Kathy Stemke, who I've rather enjoyed being partnered with, sent me!

So here is the first piece I did. Using some of the diamond shaped beads I paired it with some of my own hand dyed silk scraps and Czech glass beads. I also used one of the 2 clasps she sent. I just LOVED this clasp. I found it soooo nifty!!! I think the stone is pale labradorite, but not entirely sure.

After piecing this one together, I moved on to the super cool pink fire agates Kathy sent me. Along with some of the chain, I tied up some dangly earrings!! :0) 

Sticking with the earring mode I moved on to another set of earrings, using the nifty carved pink beads from the soup 

Staying with the pink, I moved along to the mighty chunky pink howlite/magnesite pieces. These were screaming "PAIR ME WITH SOME NEONS!!" So I pulled out some green and orange glass, paired it with some chain from the soup and VOILA!! A funky chunky necklace that screams LOOK AT ME!!! :0)

Moving right along I set out to do something different with the carved focal I was given. I ADORED this pendant. I had never seen something so neat!!! I really tried to pull the colors out of the pendant using some more of my hand dyed silk and some "beach glass" green beads paired with some creamy seed beads. 

I must say I got some nice agates in this soup!! I really liked the green crackle agates from Kathy but wasn't sure what to do with them. I ended up just making a pendant out of the one and I think it turned out to be my second favorite piece. This was my first time attempting a wire wrapping like this so I was really happy with how it turned out.

I've saved my favorite piece for last. I was BEYOND happy with this piece. Using some copper metals to accent the brown edges of the stones, some hand dyed silks, manmade hematite to draw out the grays/blues, and some fire agate to flare it up a bit. Out came this beauty! Never have I been more happy with a Bead Soup piece! 

I really enjoyed this bead soup. I greatly enjoyed my previous one as well with Grace Neff of Grace Elements Jewelry. She is such a peach!! 

Kathy sent me such an amazing soup! My inspiration flared as soon as I opened all the adorable easter eggs she sent. The chocolate helped through the late nights of designing and made for a great little refuel!! I really really just genuinely enjoyed the event and I hope you who visit enjoy this blog! Head on over to Kathy's Blog and see what she did with the soup I sent her! Browse the blog list below to see the other participants!

Thank you Lori Anderson for hosting another Bead Soup event! Such a treasured time in my jewelry life! I look forward to the rest to come! 

Adlinah Kamsir	www.dreamstruckdesigns.blogspot.com
Agi Kiss	http://moonsafaribeads.blogspot.com
Alenka Obid	www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Alison Sachs	www.beadsbyearthtones.blogspot.com
Amanda Tibbetts	http://www.amandamade.com/blog
Amy Sims	www.amysimsdesigns.com
Ana Cravidao	http://acbeads.blogspot.com
Andra Marasteanu	http://bijouxdemonange.blogspot.com
Andria Poole	www.Jewelleryartiste.blogspot.com
Angela Perkins	http://jeweledinspirations.blogspot.com
Anja Schultz	http://anjas-perlenwelt.blogspot.de/
Ann Sherwood	http://ann-sherwood.blogspot.com/
Anna Nordeman	http://annas-adornments.blogspot.com
Annita Wilson	http://awjewelryandbeadwork.blogspot.com/
Arlene Dean	http://aglassbash.blogspot.com/
Astrid Boyce	http://astridboyce.blogspot.com/
Barb Fernald	http://barbarasfernald.com/
Betty James Hoppensteadt	www.tybetastidbits.blogspot.com
Birgit Klughardt	www.gitesbeads-gite.blogspot.com
Bonnie Coursolle	http://jaspersgems.blogspot.ca/
Brandy Thomason McNair	www.bellavitajewelry.blogspot.com
Brenda Sigafoos	http://brenda-sigafoos.blogspot.com
Carmen Lau	http://littlemake.blogspot.com/
Carol Wilson	http://jetadorn.blogspot.com/
Caroline Dewison	http://www.blueberribeads.co.uk
Cassie Donlen	www.cassiedonlen.blogspot.com
Catharine Temaluru	http://ienmaginationsjewelry.wordpress.com
Catherine Turrell	http://fairysketches.blogspot.co.uk
Cheri Reed	www.creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com
Cherrie Warzocha	http://colorsofshae.blogspot.com/
Christa Murphy	http://adventuresofwonebeadywoman.blogspot.com/
Christina Hickman	http://vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com/
Christina Stofmeel	www.fengbeads.com
Christine Hansen	http://intuitivesparks.blogspot.com
Christine Stonefield	www.sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com
Cilla Watkins	www.tellyourgirlfriends.com
Cindy Cima Edwards	www.cindycima.com
Claire Lockwood	www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com
Colleen Vinthagen	http://www.thewireworkshop.com/blog/
Dagmar Liebisch	http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.de/
Dana Fowler	www.blogjunepur.blogspot.com
Danielle Kelley	http://imbuethemuse.blogspot.com/
Deb Fortin	www.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Dee Elgie	http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk
Denise Milward	http://milwardstorysofar.wordpress.com/
Diah Anggreni	http://pernik-manik.blogspot.com/
Diana Gonzalez	www.arteypoemas.com
Diane Valasek	http://dragonflyclose.blogspot.com/
Dita Basu	http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
Donetta Farrington	http://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com/
Doris Stumpf	http://glaszwerg.blogspot.de/
Elizabeth Bunn	http://elizabethbeads.blogspot.com
Elizabeth Drake	http://mutteringsofacrone.wordpress.com/
Elizabeth Jones	http://www.eyekandyjewellery.com
Elizabeth Stolarczyk	http://elizabethsart.blogspot.co.uk/
Ema Kilroy	http://www.emakdesigns.com/blog
Erin Kenny	http://beadifultherapy.blogspot.ca/
Evelyn Duberry	Www.ShebaMakeda.com
Fay Wolfenden	www.torchfairy.blogspot.com
Francesca Watson	http://francescawatson.com/
Gen Smith	http://gennysworld.blogspot.com/
Ginger Davis Allman	www.thebluebottletree.com
Giorgia Rossini	www.joyblonde.blogspot.com
Hannah Annear	www.quirkyhannah.wordpress.com
Heather Otto	http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Heidi Kingman	www.Heidikingman.blogspot.com
Ildiko Jarai Inge von Roos	www.sviroalkotasai.blogspot.hu http://ingetraud.wordpress.com/
Iveth Caruso	www.CreativeAtelier.net
Jackie Locantore	http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStarSanctuaryStudio
Jacqueline Keller	www.creartelier.blogspot.com
Jane Pranata Lim	http://cherryeve.blogspot.com
Jennifer Davis	http://jennifersjewelsandjunk.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Tough	http://jenniferbeads.blogspot.ca
Jenny Vidberg	http://shymessmycken.blogspot.se/
Jessica Klaaren	Http://cellardoorjewelry.blogspot.com
Joanna Matuszczyk	http://filcowe.blogspot.com
Joyce Becker	www.joycesjoyfulgems.blogspot.com
Judith Johnston	http://www.lampworkbeadlounge.com/
Judy Riley	www.threeredbeads.blogspot.com
JuLee Wolfe	www.thepolymerpenguin.blogspot.com
June Butt	http://www.onewhiteswan.blogspot.co.nz/
Karen Mitchell	http://www.overthemoon-design.com
Kari Asbury	http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com/
Karin King	www.maverickbeads.blogspot.ca
Karin von Hoeren	www.creativeideen.de
Karla Morgan	http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Kathrin Lembke	http://allesperle.blogspot.de/
Kathy Stemke	http://vintagememoriesjewelry.blogspot.com
Katja Benevol Gabrijelcic	http://slovoni.blogspot.com
Katy Heider	http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson	http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
Kelley Fogle	www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
Keren Panthaki	https://vasdea.wordpress.com
Kimberly Idalski	http://www.Kimisjewelryandgifts.blogspot.com
Kirsi Loponen	http://peikkonen.blogspot.com
Klaudia Tóth	http://www.klaudiabizsu.hu/
Krista Quantrill	www.cornucopiaofcrafts.blogspot.ca
Kristina Hahn Eleniak	www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Kristina Johansson	www.wildrosesandblackberries.blogspot.com
Laney Mead	http://laney-izzybeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Lara Lutrick	http://www.lutrick.blogspot.com/
Laura Guenther	www.blueantiquities.blogspot.com
Lauren Potts	www.lpsjewelry.blogspot.com
Laurie Vyselaar	www.Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Leah Tees	www.mybeadylittleeyes.blogspot.ca
Lena Adams	http://mommaslilbirdiesblog.blogspot.com
Lesley Watt	www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Leslie Wayment	www.aabeadsonline.com/blog/
LiliKrist	http://pcbylik.blogspot.com/
Linda Kropp	http://lindasartbarn.blogspot.com/
Linda Newnham	http://www.earth-shine.co.uk/
Linda Younkman	www.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com
Lisa Boucher	http://lisasclayhappenings.blogspot.com/
Lizzie Clarke	www.theneedtobead.blogspot.com
Lora Bright	http://fandangling.wordpress.com/
Lorelle McIntyre	http://beadyart.blogspot.com.au
Lori Anderson	www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Lori Finney	http://lori-finney.blogspot.ca/
Lucie Bouvier	http://www.carlosbeadstore.com/blog/
Malin de Koning	http://beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.se
Marina Dobrynina	http://savonfeutre.blogspot.fr/
Marina Kosovic	http://machoopko-design.blogspot.com/
Marion Simmons	http://www.shadetreejewelry.com/blog.html
Marita Suominen	http://momentofjewelry.blogspot.fi/
Marjolein Trewavas	http://roomforchangemeuk.blogspot.co.uk/
Marsela Schroth	www.marselita.de
Martha Aleo	www.ornamento.wordpress.com
Mary Govaars	www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Mary K McGraw	http://mkaymac.blogspot.com/
Maybeline Tay	http://thejewelrylarder.blogspot.sg/
Mea-B. Uebler	www.glasorakel.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger	www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Menka Gupta	http://menkag.blogspot.com
Merja Sundström	http://suntsan.blogspot.fi/
Merja Syrjämäki	http://helmiriippuvuus.blogspot.fi/
Michelle Buettner	http://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com
Michelle Escano	www.cabbycraft.blogspot.com
Michelle Wigginton	http://adornedonadelaide.blogspot.ca/
Milla Hope	www.Lbcreativeart.com
Miranda Ackerely Mischelle Fanucchi Mowse Doyle	www.mirandack.com http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Mrs M Makes	www.mrsmmakes.wordpress.com
Nan Smith	www.wirednan.blogspot.com
Natalie Davidson	http://northshoredays.blogspot.co.nz/
Natalie Moten	http://runningoutofthread.blogspot.com/
Natascha Marty	www.sommerlicht.ch
Nikki Banham-Hall	http://jewellerymakingblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Noemi Baena	http://blog.noemibaena.com/
Norma Turvey	http://moonlitfantaseas.blogspot.com
Pam DeBoer	http://pamelas-studio.blogspot.com/
Pam Hurst	www.pamhurst.blogspot.com
Patti Pruhs	http://threebeadsandastring.blogspot.com/
Penny Houghton	http://www.smellynelly.blogspot.com.au/
Penny Mills	www.cobblestone-lane.blogspot.com
Rachel Van-Walsh	www.balancedcrafts.com/blog
Rebecca Sirevaag	www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Regina Santerre	http://reginaswritings.blogspot.com/
Regina Wood	http://www.gina-design.blogspot.com
Roberta Fauntroy	www.thevirtualbeadsociety.wordpress.com
Rosanagh Watson Rose Johnson	http://ring-a-ring-a-rosie.blogspot.co.uk http://swtrosethorn.blogspot.com
Rosemary Cheslock	www.glasseyebutterfly.tumblr.com
Rossana De Gaspari	http://rdegas.blogspot.com
Sabine Dittrich	www.perlendschungel.blogspot.com
Sam Waghorn	http://palemooncreations.tumblr.com/
Sandi James	http://www.dobedobeaddo.blogspot.com/
Sandra McGriff	http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Sandra Wollberg	http://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.com/
Sandra Young	http://gypsyroadbeads.blogspot.ca/
Shai Williams	http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Sharon Palac	www.sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
Sierra Barrett	http://giraffecanhas.wordpress.com/
Silke Gröber	http://just-beads.blogspot.com
Siobhán Keogh	http://vovsjewellery.blogspot.ie/
Stefanie Teufel	http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com
Stephanie Stamper	www.Skwds.blogspot.com
Sue Hamel	http://cardandjewelrycorner.blogspot.com/
Sue Rennie	http://moonandsevenstars.blogspot.co.uk/
Susan Kennedy	www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Susan McClelland	http://mistheword12.wordpress.com
Susanna Lehto	http://othellehto.blogspot.fi/
Suse Stelljes	www.pearlify.blogspot.de
Susie Hibdon	http://vintagesusieandwings.blogspot.com
Suzann Sladcik Wilson	www.BeadphoriaBlog.com
Tara Plote	http://newbiebeader.blogspot.com/
Terri G.	http://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/
Terry Carter	http://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com/
Terry Matuszyk	http://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com/
Theresa Frank	http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/
Tina Bosh	http://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/
Tina Noonan	www.wingedimp.blogspot.com
Toltec Jewels	www.JewelSchoolFriends.com
Facebook Participants
Audrey Allen	https://www.facebook.com/adallen07
Cindy Wimmer Muse	https://www.facebook.com/mritech813
Cynthia O'Toole	https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.otoole
Deb Floros	https://www.facebook.com/deb.floros
Debbie Jensen	https://www.facebook.com/debbie.jensen.984
Erin Honeycutt	https://www.facebook.com/erin.honeycutt1
Kaushambi Shah	https://www.facebook.com/kaushambi.shah
Lisa Lloyd Harrison	https://www.facebook.com/lisa.lloydharrison
Mary Jane Tanner	https://www.facebook.com/mary.j.tanner
Valerie Tilghman	https://www.facebook.com/valerie.tilghman