Bead Soup Blog Party 1st Reveal Here It is....

7th Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal

Hi all, I again have had the great fortune to participate in the lovely, ever so talented and kind Lori Anderson.
She is the hostess of the most awesome Bead soup Blog party. This is the 4th time I have participated in the festivities and look forward to participating every time!

I was very lucky to be paired with Kat Barron Miller.
Her work is amazing! You can check out her Etsy sight here MKP Jewelry.  

This is what I sent to Kat....

2 of my handmade butterfly wing pendants a pewter toggle clasp and matching crystal beads.

And this is what Kat sent to me.....

 Lamp work fairy bead,silver butterfly toggle clasp some vintage beads,crystals and lamp work floral beads.

The little lamp work fairy was too adorable for words. I am obsessed with gnomes,mushrooms,fairies and  flowers. If you have ever read my blog I have shared pictures of my garden which have all of the above scattered in my flower beds. So I was elated to get a cutie gem like the fairy. I knew that I must keep her for myself which is where the problem began.

As much as I like making necklaces I never and I mean NEVER wear them. Bracelets yup, earrings absolutely necklaces,nope. So my dilemma was she's too big and fragile to use in a bracelet. And If you haven't gotten it by now necklaces are out of the question for me. So what's a girl to do?

The gears started moving in my brain, my first thought was to make her into a fan or light pull, but my living room decor is pretty modern and stream lined and my kitchen is loaded with slate and has an Modern Asian flair to it. So that wouldn't work.
 When we bought the house a few years back my intentions were to keep things as zen, uncluttered and to a minimum as possible (my house is very modest in size). I decided the only option I had left was to make something for my studio.  My studio is in my finished basement. That's where I keep all of my fun,funky decor, which is so full of color and whimsy that it always feels like an over the top party down there.My Perfect muse for creating.

So my fairy was made into this  **** warning image heavy.....

 I twisted and wired together this frame and made each of the beaded flowers,leaves and sprays (mostly crystals,so it sparkles to high heaven) and then I decided to add an inspirational plaque which reads what? INSPIRE and she dangles right in the center. I know this is not a conventional use of a focal and that most people will make jewelry out of their focals,but I'm not really all that conventional. This piece includes my love of fairies and flowers and is a perfect fit for my studio.  I love how it turned out and am going to hang her up tonight!!!

I did challenge myself to try to use every bead Kat sent me. Lamp work beads are generally not my thing, love the looks of them they are tiny pieces of art,just not my style, but I made this set, which I gifted to my mother as part or her birthday gift. This includes my use of the toggle,some crystals and the lamp work floral beads.

 She loved it. Not only does she like lamp work,she also loves the color red and flowers. How perfect is that!

Then I made this next piece using a vintage brass clock key which I added one of the crystals to the end (clock keys have a hole in the bottom to wind clocks) hung the key from round brass links,then to a large link brass chain,and on the one side of the chain I wire wrapped a couple of the vintage glass teardrops from my soup. I wish I wore necklaces that's how much I favor this piece.

I do have 2 more pieces that I made, a pair of earrings that are made to be worn with the above necklace and also a bracelet but I will show them at another time.  I knew that this was going to be a long post and people need to hop to so many other blogs so stay tuned for the rest.

Here are the other participants of the 1st reveal I hope you make it to each and every one of them! I know I can't wait to see what these talented jewelers have worked up!

First and Last Name	Blog URL
Alicia Marinache	http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Amber Dawn Goldish	www.InventiveSoul.blogspot.com
Barb Solem	http://www.vivimagoopresents.com
Bev Breisinger	http://countryfrogcreations.blogspot.com
Birgitta Lejonklou	www.lejonklou.blogspot.se
Breana Fry	www.vault31.blogspot.com
Brenda Sue Lansdowne	http://www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com/
Bridget Torres	www.Shears58.com
Carol Dee Myers	http://caroldeezigns.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Chenault	www.carolynchenault.wordpress.com
Cassi Paslick	http://cassisbeads.blogspot.com/
Cece Cormier	Http://www.thebeadingyogini.com
Cheryl McCloud	www.cherylmccloud.blogspot.com
Cindy Wilson	www.itsmyseaofdreams.blogspot.com
Crystal Thain	http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/
Cynthia Riggs	http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/
Dana Hickey	http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com/
Dana James	http://danasjewelrydesign.blogspot.com
Darlene Fortier	www.darliciousrejuvenations.blogspot.com
Deana Hager	http://justdeesarts.blogspot.com/
Deanna Cox	www.deannaaki.wordpress.com
Deb Brooks	http://www.fromtheheartcreations.blogspot.com/
Debra Behrends	http://www.hopefuljourneys.blogspot.com/
Denielle Hagerman	http://www.somebeadsandotherthings.blogspot.com/
Denise McCabe	www.cabewoman.blogspot.com
Diana Frey	www.dianafrey.blogspot.com
Diana Welte	http://lilyweeds.blogspot.com
Dini Bruinsma	http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
DiYana Alcalde	http://agapecreationsjewelry.blogspot.com/
Dolores Raml	http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/
Donna Millard	http://fyrebeadz.blogspot.com/
Dot Lewallwn	http://speediebeadie.blogspot.com/
Duane Clark	http://biz-e-bead.blogspot.com/
Dyanne Cantrell	http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/
Eleanor Burian-Mohr	http://cornerstoregoddessjewelry.blogspot.com/
Elisabeth Auld	www.beadsforbusygals.com
Elizabeth Owens Dwy	www.1996shabbylane.blogspot.com
Emily Greer	http://www.gaiacopia.com/blog-2/
Enikö Fabian	http://perleni.blogspot.co.at/
Erin Grant	http://ErinsJewelryCreations.blogspot.com
Eva Kovacs	http://ewagyongyosvilaga.blogspot.hu/
Eva Sherman	http://evashermandesigns.blogspot.com/
Gina Hockett	www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Grace Rotenberg	http://rivkasmomcom.blogspot.com/
Gretchen Nation	www.artfoodlodging.blogspot.com
Hannah Rosner	http://goodrivergallery.wordpress.com
Heather Davis	http://www.blissfulgardenbeads.com/
Heather Marston	http://www.cswdesignsbyhehe.blogspot.com/
Heather Powers	http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com
Ingrid McCue	www.wrappedinsilver.com
Jacqueline Marchant	http://jaacquelinesjewels.blogspot.com/
Jan Petek	www.janpetek.com
Janeen Sorensen	http://wildvanilladesigns.com/
Jane-Michael Stallings	http://www.craftvacuum.blogspot.com
Jasvanti Patel	www.Jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Jayashree Paramesh	www.nchantme.com
Jayne Capps	http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com
Jean Yates	http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Cameron	http://glassaddictions.com
Jennifer LaVite	http://www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com
Joan Williams	www.lilrubyjewelry.com
Jodie Marshall	www.Marshalljodie.blogspot.com
Judy Riggs	www.rigglettes.blogspot.com
Julie Anne Leggett	www.thepeacefulbead.com
Kat Barron Miller	http://mkpbeadart.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer	http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Kim Hora	www.kimmykats.com
Kim Houston	http://thepinkmartiniboutique.blogspot.com
Kim Sparks	http://beadabunch.blogspot.com
Krafty Max	http://kraftymax.blogspot.com
Kris Lanae Binsfeld	www.cherishdesigns.wordpress.com
Krista French	http://expressyourfaith.webs.com/apps/blog/
Kristen Stevens	http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/
Kristi Harrison	http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.com
Kumi Fisher	http://maliekaidesigns.blogspot.com
Laren Dee Barton	www.larendeedesigns.blogspot.com
Laura Bracken	http://laurabrackenblog.blogspot.com/
Laura Demoya	www.Thebeadtherapist.blogspot.com
Laurie Hanna	http://jewelrybylh.blogspot.com/
Laurie Keefe-Cecere	http://treeofliferootedinmysoul.blogspot.com/
Lea Avroch	http://www.LAJewelryDesign.blogspot.com
Leanne Loftus	Http://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com
Lee Anne Messerschmidt	http://wiredhammerednworn.wordpress.com
Leslie Schenkel	http://twistedchicken.wordpress.com/
Linda Anderson	http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/
Linda Djokic	www.lutkaandco.com
Linda Murphy	www.bonitabead.blogspot.com
Linda Sadler	http://idalouisejewelry.blogspot.com/
Lisa Liddy	http://lisaliddy.wordpress.com/
Lisa Suver	http://fanceethat.blogspot.com/
Liz DeLuca	http://www.creativeartyfacts.blogspot.com/
Liz Engriser	http://www.beadcontagion.blogspot.com/
Lola Surwillo	http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com
Loretta Carstensen	www.designsbyloretta.blogspot.com
Lori Anderson	www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Lori Bergmann	www.LoriBergmann.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud	http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Lori Poppe	http://lorillijeanscreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Lori Schneider	www.Beadaddicted.blogspot.com
Lyn Foley	www.lynfoleyblog.com
Maddison Langford	http://maddy-moo.blogspot.com
Magdalena Sikora	http://porannagazeta.blogspot.com/
Mallory Hoffman	http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/
Marcella Austenfeld	www.goodtogojewelry.blogspot.com
Marcy Lamberson	http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com
Maria Clark	http://sweetwillowdesigns.blogspot.com/
Maria Rosa Sharrow	www.willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Marianna Boylan	www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com
Marie Covert	http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/
Marti Conrad	www.marticsclay.blogspot.com
Mary Ellen Merrigan	http://www.MaryEllenBeads.com
Mary Harding	www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com
Molly Alexander	http://beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com
Nan Emmett	http://spiritrattles.blogspot.com/
Niky Sayers	http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Pam Chesbro	http://afortunatesoul.blogspot.com/
Pam Farren	http://www.re-maker.blogspot.com
Pam Sandy	http://pamseclecticstuff.blogspot.com/
Pam Traub	http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Pamela Gangler	http://shealwayslovedpink.blogspot.com/
Patricia Buchanan	http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/braceletstoo
Patricia Johnson	http://patricialjohnsonglassart.blogspot.com
Patty Miller	http://cabaribeads.blogspot.com/
Paula Hisel	http://simplybeadiful.weebly.com/simply-stated.html
Peggy Gabrielson	http://georgiamountainarts.blogspot.com
Perri Jackson	http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/
Rachel Baron	http://www.rbarondesigns.blogspot.com
Rachel Stanley	http://2catchahummingbird.blogspot.com
Rain Hannah	http://honeyandollie.com
Rana Wilson	http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Renetha Stanziano	www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Robin Reed	www.willowdragon.blogspot.com
Rochelle Brisson	http://www.acreativechelle.blogspot.com
Rose Rushbrooke	www.roserushbrooke.com/blog/
Ruth Szapa	www.trudicrufus.blogspot.com
Sally Russick	http://thestudiosublime.com
Sandi Volpe	www.sandivolpe.com
Sandra Pendragon	http://sandrapendragon.blogspot.com/
Sandy Richardson	www.SandyColoringBox.blogspot.com
Sarah Small	http://bysalla.blogspot.com
Shannon Hicks	http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/
Shari Replogle	www.playswithpaper.blogspot.com
Sheila Daniels	http://www.cheekymagpie.com
Sheila Davis	http://www.stonedesignsbysheila.blogspot.com/
Shiraz Biggie	www.secretsongdesigns.blogspot.com
Shirley Moore	www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Skylar Bre'z	http://brisingbeads.blogspot.com/
Staci Smith	www.stacilouiseoriginals.com
Stacie Florer	http://www.soultosubstance.com
Stacy Pomerleau	www.craftenvilleblog.com
Stephanie Weiss	www.uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com
Sumi Rani	www.HundredColors.blogspot.com
Susan Sheehan	http://susanasheehan.blogspot.com/
Suzette Bentley	http://elliesbijoux.blogspot.com
Tamera Norris	www.beadsinspireme.com
Tracy Choy	www.bumblebeadsdesigns.Blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman	www.tracystillmandesigns.com
Valerie Norton	www.hot-fused-glass.com
Vicki Holliday	http://flopcatdesign.blogspot.com/

The Most Wonderful Woman On Earth...

Today is the day......

That the most wonderful woman on earth was born. She is hard working,caring,always selfless and beautiful and she just so happens to be my mom! Today is a milestone birthday as she turns 75 yeah that's 3/4 of a century. She is so vibrant,full of life and still sassy.  I wish that I could be or become half the woman that she is. I am so very fortunate to be able to call her MY MOM.

It brings tears to my eyes to know the struggles she has gone through losing my dad when I was a baby and raising 6 children on her own and never faltering in the process. She is loved by everyone that has ever met her. Happy Birthday Mom!

My little boy Joey, Madi my grand niece and my lovely mom.

Bullet Casing Pendant Tutorial

Bead Soup update.....

I have been working hard on my bead soup and am pretty happy on how my pieces are coming along. I decided to keep the fairy piece for myself and have made it into something that I LOVE. That's all I can say for now. But I have some beads left and I still have to use the toggle so I am going to work a couple of more pieces.

 

Now for the tutorial.....

I have been wanting to try my hand a making a tutorial. So I decided to give it a shot. How to make a Bullet Casing Pendant. My husband and brother in law are both hunters and love guns so for me the bullet casings easy to come by. For those of you who don't have anyone that shoots,you can contact your local shooting range,sometimes I have seen them at flea markets,or even store's like Cabela's sell empty unfired bullet casings that hunters and marksmen use to fill and make their own bullets. I have chosen to show you how to make one's that I have added patina to. The patina adds a lovely verdigris finish to the bullets. 

First off I use a metal wire brush to remove any residue left on the bullets. I then soak them in a solution of salt water overnight. This helps the patina to oxidize the metal and change it to that lovely green finish.

After they have soaked 24 hours I then remove them from the water put the in my vise and use a dremel/rotary tool with 1/64" titanium drill bit to drill a whole in the top of the bullet. When using fired bullets they have a little indentation which is a perfect mark on where to drill.

Please remember to wear eye protection when drilling!!!

   
  I then drill a hole in the top of each bullet.After the drilling I add my patina solution. Some people choose to use gilders paste,I prefer not to as it's not a true patina and I hate the look of brush strokes,and how it tends to flake. It just looks a bit fake to me.I use a patina solution that combines ammonium chloride and copper sulfate. I just brush it on the bullets and it slowly turns that green color that makes me happy. If the first coat doesn't give you the appropriate color you can add more coats until you reach your desired color.

I then add a sealer to make sure that they keep their color . I use one by triangle crafts which is considered a primer and clear sealer. But I am sure Mod Podge would also work well.

Once they have dried. I then gather all of my goodies to start the process of making them into pendants. So the list includes long headpins,and/or wire, Crystal beads, bead caps,spacer beads whatever suits your fancy really.

Then the beading begins I try to find beads that will pretty much fill or stop the end of the bullet casing and add whatever other beads until it turns out to my liking.

I then wire the bead/beads on the wire through the drilled hole in the top of the bullet casing add a wire wrapped loop,I choose to make the loop at the top so that I can run a neck chain right through the loop.

The finished one that I was showing how to make.

And now some others that I have made too. I have left the others in their original finish just using the wire brush to clean them and give them that brushed finish.

I do hope you like this tutorial and if you have any questions please feel free to comment.




 

Bead Soup What I received and What I sent

I have been waiting to post as my partner had been out of town and would not receive the package I sent until early this week. Since time always seems to be a issue with me I waited until I knew she got her goodies in order to combine both of what she sent me and what she received. I seriously must have time management issues,seems I never have enough time.

Just so you know my partner must be Wonder Woman's Twin or something,I'll tell you why. She works outside of the home,manages her household(which includes a teenager),manages to make some seriously gorgeous,totally involved jewelry creations and also blogs at least a couple few times a week. Hell I'm tired just thinking about it! I think she should mentor me in the area of motivation and time management,oh please,oh please.

Well enough of my early morning ramblings been up since 4a.m. trying to get a few things done before my day really starts,got to get that kid to school on time and maybe I'll sneak down to my studio and work on some things after I do drop him off. Today is my day off of work,which never really feels like a day off ,I think I work more when I'm not at work.

Okay so here is the soup Kat sent to me.....

Gorgeous Lamp work Fairy,Lampwork beads and some vintage glass beads oh and lets not forget the cutie silver butterfly toggle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have few ideas one is not jewelry though. I will say no more.

Next up is what I sent her I originally have about 4 mixes ready and my sister put the kabosh on that she said I would probably overwhelm Kat so I paired it down to this.....

Large butterfly pendant with a matching mix of crystals I think Isent more crystals but they are not in this photo? And I then sent her a bonus butterfly wing pendant so that she could make something else if she chooses.

I must be off my son is waiting for breakfast and I am in need of sucking down my first cup of coffee.

Introducing BSBP Partner and Wishing for Spring..

I wanted to take a little time out to introduce my partner for the 7th annual Bead Soup Blog Party Her name is Kat Barron Miller. She and I use similar materials yet the outcome is so different. I am totally stoked to have her as my partner this time around. Take a quick peek at her shop.Or if you have extra time check out her blog. 

I would like to mention something that I have never experienced before when chatting with someone via email. This may sound a tad bit strange. But in just the couple of emails we have exchanged I believe I have gotten a feel for Kat she seems so full of life,quick witted and a touch sassy. All things that I find quite charming and endearing. I am sure if you had contact with her you would have gotten that too!!

Okay now I have lived in Michigan practically my whole adult life,only a few years have been spent elsewhere and I can NEVER get used to the winter. I am totally a spring/summer kind of gal. So for a little something to look forward to I give you and myself a bit spring/summer that is my garden.

Some of my butterfly/humming bird garden

Gorgeous Red Daylillies

I call this my happy chair. 

 

My cutie gnome whom has been coined "keeper of the porch".

                     

I will plant something in just about anything!!! This summer I'll show you more random planters.

My lovely butterfly bush. They reseed and grow like mad in the most bizzar places.

I can't wait to enjoy these beauties again.