BEAD SOUP SEASON 8 REVEAL HAS ARRIVED!!!!

aving just started a new job I was so worried that I wouldn't have time or be able to get my pieces made let a lone a blog done. I have no idea how to set it up to automate nor the time to figure it out. Anywhoo... that being said; I made it! Later than I expected but without further adieu I give you; my bead soup pieces and my wonderful bead soup!!!

These were some of the coolest things I have ever worked with and it was sooo not my style. The keyhole focal was beyond awesome. I hung it on the beautiful leather I was given with a few accent jasper beads, which just happened to match PERFECTLY. My goal here was to make the focal the ABSOLUTE focus point. The design of this keyhole was astounding to me. I know this design seems simple but to me, this isn't about showing off MY work, it's about showcasing the work of the focal artist. Sometimes, less is more. And here it is:

Seriously, is that keyhole not to die for??? Ugh, by far one of my favorite soup pieces ever! Which by the way if you haven't seen my pre-post about my partner. Check her out! She uses this type of stuff all the time and is pretty fabulous at it!! See her blog here: kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com she did beyond a beautiful job with the soup I sent her.

For my next piece, I focused on the bead mix she sent me with the most adorable owl bead ever. I absolutely LOVED the antique feel and style of the colors and patterns of the beads. But after making a simple design I felt as though this simply strung well patterned bracelet just wasn't enough...

I absolutely loved this bracelet! I really wanted to keep it for myself!! Anyway, I really didn't want to take this apart. I LOVED the colors, pattern, just everything but I felt it just wasn't creative enough. So I took it apart and did this instead:

I was much happier with this. I got to keep to the pattern for the most part with the beads and some of the awesome chain Kym sent as well as part of the super cool clasp.

I was so in love with this soup I just can't explain it!! I have much of it left over for future inspiration which I could really use. Since the start of the new job it has been months since I've had the joys of picking up my tools and playing in my beads. But the leftover soup sits out where I can see it regularly to keep me inspired.

Here's what I sent Kym. (The photo is hers photography skills. She's even awesome at that too!!) Please visit her blog and see the lovely things she made. http://kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com/

New year, New things!

So this if FAR past the NEW YEAR time but I finally started to get into metals this year which is something I've been wanting to do for YEARS!!! Oh the ideas I have, the things I want to try but oh the time I DON'T have to do it all lol. So I finally found some sheet metal to cut, stamp, emboss, patina, flame paint, etc. Here are a few samples of the things  I've done lately. I'm on the hunt for a good sealant to protect the colorings of the copper but I may have found one, I just haven't had time to test it yet. Fingers crossed. Here are some photos of new metal pieces:

I'm really hoping to have the sealant figured out soon because I can't explain how much I enjoyed this!! Looking forward to doing more!!

8th BEAD SOUP has commenced!! Meet my partner!

 Well it's that time of year again! The Bead Soup party. The time where you get paired up, send some beads, get some beads and make some stuff then blog about it. Oh who am I kidding, there's SO much more to it than that!!!

This is an amazing event that hundreds of people partake in. You discover wonderful new artists and find new inspiration. I've been paired with some great people in the past and I am REALLY looking forward to networking with my newest partner; Kym Hunter of kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com. Here are some samples of her work:

Her pieces are awesome!! I adore her blog. I love everything about the colors and themes she uses. Her use of mixed media puts me in mind of some of the things I've done and am currently doing as well as on my "try that" list. (It's funny because I follow another artist on FB who sometimes seems to be on the same mind path that I'm on. I'll have a project in mind, and she'll post she's done one. I'll start dabbling in new things, and she starts dabbling in similar things. It is so funny how some of us artist just have the same wavelength at times. It kind of makes you feel connected.)

I'm so excited about this pairing because this is the first time I've been paired up with someone who I felt was similar to my own style but unique in the materials. I've been talking with Kym here and there since the pairing and I genuinely enjoy her. Can't wait for the big reveal!!