Welcome to The 8th Bead Soup Blog Party 2014!

The 8th Bead Soup Blog Party 2014 Reveal Day is Here!

Welcome to the BSBP 2014! I had a lot of fun with the beads my partner, Maria, sent. She sent such a lovely variety of beads it was hard to decide what to make at first, but once I sat down with them and played a bit they really spoke to me and I am very happy with what I created! I made four pieces of jewelry and all pieces have been infused with Reiki.

Here are The Beads Maria Sent…

The first piece is a Bead Embroidery Pendant with a Daisy Chain Necklace. Except for the turquoise seed and drop beads, all the other beads I used were from Maria. I used a Bone Turtle Fetish for the closure that I've had in my stash since 1978. I love the glass star beads and abalone shell focal Maria sent. 

Next is a bracelet that proved to be a bit of a fun challenge. As you can see, the shells have two holes in them, one at each end. The first idea I had did not work because they wouldn't lay correctly. The second idea worked perfectly and I am happy how it turned out. I used seed beads from my stash to attach the shell beads and the toggle is from Maria.

I made a second bracelet using square stitch with triangle seed beads Maria sent. I had never used triangle seeds beads before and will definitely be ordering some to play with again. They give a really nice smooth texture. 

My last piece is a pair of earrings created with more of the glass stars, and faceted glass roundels from Maria. I will be wearing these a lot this summer. 

Unfortunately, I have to work today during the height of the blog hopping excitement (sigh) but will be  hopping in spirit until I get home. 

Have Fun Hopping! 

Please Stop by my Partner Maria's Blog, Sweet Yarns. 

- And Here For The BSBP 2014 Participants List -

The 8th Bead Soup Blog Party is Underway!

I have joined Lori Anderson's 8th Bead Soup Blog Party and have a wonderful partner who lives in the same State. We have both exchanged beads and I would like to introduce her to you all. My partner's name is Maria of Sweet Yarns. Maria is a very talented artist who works with many mediums, not just beads. Check out her blog to see the great ideas and tutorials she shares.

When it comes to jewelry, Maria loves to work with seed beads. Here are a couple of beautiful necklaces she has made. 

These are the beads Maria sent to me. I love the Summer Theme and can't wait to create with them. 

And these are the beads I sent Maria.

Be sure to come back for the Reveal on May 3, 2014 to see what everyone has made! Bead On!

Update: The Reveal Date has Been Changed to May 10, 2014

Freeform Peyote Challenge

Adventures in Freeform Peyote Challenge 

Reveal Day

Hosted by - Karen Williams and Mandi Ainsworth

I'm very glad I heard about this challenge and was able to participate. I love off-loom bead weaving and have always been in awe of those that do freeform so beautifully. I had only tried freeform once before several years ago when I was learning bead weaving stitches, so this feels like my first freeform project.

Above is the soup I chose to start my adventure in freeform. The herringbone twist in the center was something I was playing with a while ago and I decided to use this as the center or focal in my freeform piece. At this point, I decided to make a bracelet.

Here is my bracelet after a couple of rows. I was loving the feel of it already and couldn't wait to see what it would transform in to. It really did feel like a fun adventure!

Next are a few photo's of the finished piece

It didn't turn out like I had pictured it in my head but it was a lot of fun and a great adventure in learning and getting a feel for freeform. I made the loop a tad too small to fit the button clasp so I will need to find one a bit smaller. I'm not sure I am even finished with this. I might keep adding to it and make it wider. I love the challenge of making a balanced piece while beading freeform. I now have more freeform projects in mind and can't wait to have more fun with this technique! 

A big thank you to Karen and Mandi!

- Below are links to visit the "adventure guides" and "inspired adventurers" - 

now I'm off to see what everyone else made

Adventure Guides
Mandi Ainsworth
Karen Williams

Inspired Adventurers
Bobbie Rafferty
Sarah Meadows
Katherine Gale
Mandy Duffy
Leanne Kirsch
Jean Hutter

Nancy Dale
Judy Riley
Natasha Wiegelman
Pam Chesbro
Stephanie Woods
Romana Tschunko

Bette Greenfield
Mary Harding
Melody Marie Murray
Shirley Moore
Marj

Sally Russick
Therese Frank
Tanya Goodwin
Christine Altmiller
Lea Paličková
Ivona Šuchmannová

Jennifer Chasalow VanBenschoten
Kay Haynes
Tammy Bowman
Alisa Lehman
Lori Callahan - you are here
Debbie Rasmussen

Jane Kettley
SaraBeth Cullinan 
Tami Norris
Julie Schmidt Bowen
Tammi Clapper
Cynthia Machata

Welcome to the 6th BSBP Reveal #2

It's time for the Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal #2, 8/11/12

This is my first BSBP and I had so much fun. Not only was receiving a package of beads in the mail exciting and fun, but I gained new friend! 

Grab a cuppa and enjoy the party! 

This is the bead soup I sent my partner, Marian, from Ms Place. I can't wait to see what she made with the beads I sent her! Please click on "Ms Place" above to visit Marian's blog. 

And this is the bead soup I received from Marian. Now, onto what I made with this lovely soup...

I made this macrame necklace using the beautiful polymer clay focal Marian sent, which I bezeled with seed beads. The cord and other beads were from my stash. I made a necklace just like this one, except for the cord and beads, back in 1978. A timeless piece I will enjoy wearing!

All the beads in this asymmetric bracelet were from Marian, as well as the pretty clasp. The only things from my stash were beads caps and crimps. I used herringbone spiral stitch with the seed beads she sent. I love all the colors! 

These earrings were made with polymer clay headpins made by Marian and copper beads that she sent. The only thing from my stash are the earring wires that I made. I am happily wearing these earrings today for the party! They are simple earrings but they suit me quite well and I love them! 

Everything in this fun bracelet was sent by Marian, including the clasp. Yes, I know, I made two bracelets, so which one do I wear to the party? ......That's easy, I'll wear one on each wrist!  

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I know I already said it but I'll say it again, the BSBP is a lot of fun! Along with making a new friend, I met so many great people with the same passion...BEADS! And the host, Lori Anderson has done a fabulous job of organizing 400 people swapping beads. Can you imagine the work? Wow! Thank you very much, Lori! 

I hope you enjoyed your visit...now, here is the list of all participants in the 2nd reveal so you can continue hopping. Have fun! 

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs

Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs

Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux 

Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade 

Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs 

Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure 

Amy Severino, Amy Beads 

Ana Krepel, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos

Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey

Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations

Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios

Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye

April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess 

Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate 

Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads 

B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios 

Barb Fernald, Barbara S. Fernald Jewelry 

Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners

Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi

Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry 

 Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box

Carmen Lau, Little Maketto

Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine

Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio

Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry 

Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads 

 Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry

Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul 

Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures

Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life

Debbie Davis, Natural Treasures by Deb

Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing

Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

Dhea Powers, Java Bead

Diana Welte, Lilyweeds

Dita Basu, alankarshilpa

Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eleanor Snare, The Magic Square Foundation

Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs

Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant

Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs

Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works

Francy Inman, Francy's Studio

Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...

Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland

Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine 

Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier 

JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery

Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog

Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs

Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio

Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads

Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations 

 Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast

JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin

Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery

Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads

Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element 

Kim Dworak, CianciBlue

Krafty Max, Krafty Max Originals

Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae

Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs

Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs

Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs

Lennis Carrier, Windbent

Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More

Linda Florian, Lilys of the Valley Jewelry Creations

Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead

Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders

Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays

Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?

Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead

Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog

Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental

Lori Callahan, Dancing Wire and Beads by Lori

Lori Finney, Using My Beads

Marcia Dunne, The Alternative Foundry

Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja

Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads

Marian Hertzog, M's Place

 Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.

Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings

MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8 

Martha Aleo, Ornamento

 Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder

Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor

Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.

Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads

Melissa Muir, Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox

Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

Pam DeBoer, Purple Notes from the Studio

Pam Farren, re-maker

Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs

Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams

Patty Miller, CabariBeads

Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres

Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings

Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates

Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle

Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel

Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos

Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul

Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!

Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl

Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins

Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss

Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper

Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads

Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium

Tammie Everly, TTE Designs

Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs

Tanya Wiles, Tenebrous Hollow Studio

Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures

Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!

Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends 

Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess

Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Art

My Bead Soup Has Arrived

I received my bead soup from Marian Hertzog of Ms Place for the 6th BSBP, hosted by Lori Anderson!

Who doesn't love receiving a package of bead soup? Now let's see what's inside!

As you can see, that's a lot of beautiful soup! Marian included handmade polymer clay beads made by her own lovely hands; buttons, ceramic and glass beads, copper beads, chain and clasps, silk ribbon, seed beads, and a very special package that included some of her stash she has had since the 1970's. I have stash from the '70's as well and I really appreciate her sharing some of hers with me. I wish I had thought to do the same! Whatever I make with those beads will be something I keep for myself, for sure! 

Thanks very much, Marian!

I am going to have a lot of fun creating from this bead soup and I can't wait to get started. I have some ideas already so please come back for the reveal on August 11, 2012! 

6th Bead Soup Blog Party

I have joined the upcoming Bead Soup Blog Party, organized and hosted by Lori Anderson. This is the 6th BSBP but my first and there are 400 participants, the largest BSBP to date! Because this one is so large, there will be three reveal dates. My partner and I are in the second reveal, 8/11. It sounds like so much fun and I am so glad I joined. I went to many of the blogs during the last BSBP and was very inspired by all the beautiful makes that were created by the participants!

Here's how it works: Everyone must have a blog. We are partnered with another artist and we send each other a "bead soup", a mix of beads of our choosing to include a focal and a clasp along with other coordinating beads. We only have to use the focal and the clasp, it is up to us, but we can also add beads from our own stash. The idea is to think outside the box and work outside our comfort zone using beads chosen by someone else. This is what is so appealing to me and what makes it fun, as I will undoubtedly create something I never would have otherwise!

Meet my Bead Soup Blog Party Partner

My BSBP partner is Marian Hertzog of M's Place, a very talented artist and I am excited to work with her! She not only designs and makes jewelry, as well as makes amazing polymer clay beads, but she is also a very talented fine artist. I would like to share some of her inspiring work....

I absolutely love this necklace, "Summer Fun", made with fiber and her own handmade polymer clay beads! Very yummy!

This is not jewelry, obviously, but I had to share this amazing "Leaf Angel" she made from polymer clay!

Her talent doesn't stop with handmade polymer clay beads. This is a bracelet M made for the bridesmaids in her son's upcoming wedding. A very beautiful and special piece that I'm sure the wearer will cherish for a long time to come!

Now to decide what to send M for the Bead Soup Blog Party. I have been looking through my bead stash and putting different combinations together but haven't decided yet which one's to send. I just might have to flip a coin and hope for the best. At first I was worried about this process of choosing just the right beads, but M is so nice and I think will be happy with what I send her. It's all about having fun and we both love beads of all types and colors! 

Check Your Neck

Thyroid Awareness January 2012

January is Thyroid Awareness Month and I'd like to share some information about thyroid disease, as it's on the rise in children and adults and it's not uncommon for people to go years before getting the proper diagnosis and treatment. Many people do not know what the thyroid gland is until they are diagnosed, not to mention how important its function is to our quality of life. The most common form of thyroid disease is hypothyroidism (not enough thyroid hormone) caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid and destroying it, known as Hashimoto's disease. I suffer from Hashimoto's disease, which has caused me to become hypothyroid. However, you can become hypothyroid without having the autoimmune disease. You can also become hypothyroid after having the thyroid removed for thyroid cancer, or be born without a thyroid. The other form of autoimmune thyroid disease is Graves' disease, which causes hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone). Regardless of the type, a malfunctioning thyroid causes a host of symptoms because the thyroid is responsible for just about every function in the body, so if your thyroid is not working properly you can not function properly. A prompt diagnosis and proper treatment is very important to avoid it wreaking havoc on one's life. 

Some symptoms of hypothyroidism are extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pain (including nerve pain), muscle weakness, dry hair, hair loss, dry itchy skin, dry eyes, poor memory and cognition, sleep apnea, weight gain, weight loss, a feeling of swelling in the neck, bowel problems, menstrual and fertility problems, depression, anxiety, and high cholesterol. 

Hyperthyroidism carries some of the same symptoms as hypothyroidism such as fatigue, memory problems and bowel problems, but more commonly someone might have palpitations, fast or irregular heart beat, irritability, anxiety, increased perspiration, weight loss, and shortness of breath. If autoimmune Graves' disease is the cause of a person's hyperthyroidism, they also have the risk of developing thyroid eye disease (TED). Some people can have both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. 

The above information and lists of symptoms is not complete and varies in each individual. For more information about thyroid disease and How to Check your Neck Mary Shomon @ www.thyroid.about.com website has great information and is the author of several great books on thyroid disease.

Thyroid Awareness Art

I made this pair of earrings today for Thyroid Awareness month. They are made with sterling silver-filled wire and Swarovski crystals. They are available from my Etsy Shop and 20% of all sales will be donated to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, AARDA. 

"Believe"

If you haven't seen Allyson Jones Averell's art, you must go take a look. This photo shows a body painting Ally did for Thyroid Awareness 2012 on herself. She used the word "Believe" and painted a "Butterfly" with flowers on her neck in honor of Thyroid Awareness. The butterfly is well known as the symbol for the thyroid gland. You can find Ally and her beautiful artwork on Facebook at this link -  https://www.facebook.com/AllysonAverell You can see her body painting from last year here - http://thyroid.about.com/b/2010/01/14/allyson-jone-averell-facepainting-thyroid.htm and read why she chose the word "Believe" in her artwork this year here - http://thyroid.about.com/b/2012/01/04/artist-allyson-jones-averell-celebrates-thyroid-awareness-month-with-new-painting.htm 

"Story of the Shield Gland"

Timely diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease is a worldwide problem and I recently learned while talking to Anna, a thyroid patient from Sweden, that thyroid patients in Sweden refer to themselves as "turtles". That seemed strange to me at first because I couldn't imagine how the turtle related to the thyroid. Anna carries with her a beautiful turtle pendent as a sort of mascot. She told me, "Turtles are often used as symbols for us, as they're called "sköldpaddor" (shield frogs). Anna related the turtle to "Zeno and Aesop and their story of the slow and ridiculed tortoise that eventually reaches the finish line in front of the hare. I think it suits us, nice and slow, but we'll reach our goal in time with hard work and struggling." The turtle now has a new meaning for me and I think of it as a shield of protection. I think you'll agree, Anna's turtle pendent is beautiful and I can see why it has become her "mascot".