Monday, 28 February 2011

PHEW! I am officially STUFFED......

after all that soup!!!

209 soups visited {some twice!}
44 comments left for soupers
57 comments recevied by soupers
a handful of soupers who haven't yet posted for various reasons

I want to thank all of you who took the time to visit my little place of creation and leave such beautiful comments....it's definitely encouraging to read when {quietly} you are not quite sure if you are good enough!  There are some amazingly talented people out there and definitely some amazing pieces were created....too many amazing pieces to count, but two stood out for me:

SilverNikNats created two pieces from her bead soup:



and

Judith B Designs  created this little beauty:



as I said above, there are SO MANY amazing pieces and everyone should be proud of their accomplishments for this event!

I can't wait for the next one in August


be sure to mark it in your diaries or post it on your blog....if this succesful soup is anything to go by then Lori will be looking for an assistant to help her with the avalanche of new sign ups in August!! 

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

Saturday, 26 February 2011

Nothing Like a Bowl of Delicious Soup!!!


Yay!!
It's HERE!!!

{Please read this full & very long post, you won't be dissapointed!!}
Welcome to the 3rd Bead Soup Blog Party!


Bead Soup sent to my partner: Design by Cassandra

What is a Bead Soup Blog Party?

 A few years back Lori Anderson of Pretty Things had this fab idea of enlisting a bunch of jewellery designers to swap a bag of beads, each beader who signed up to the soup was parterned with another jewellery designer, the aim was to challenge them to create something inspiring using materials they wouldn't normally use in their everyday beading projects, they were tasked with sending the following:

~ A focal
~ A special clasp (not just a lobster claw)
~ Some coordinating spacers or beads

Using the focal and the clasp was mandatory, we could also use anything from our own stash as well as {but not compulsory} the beads/spacers sent by our Soup partner.

I was fortunate to be partnered with a gorgeous lady in Canada named Cassandra of Design by Cassandra. Here's what I received from Cassandra...

Zebra Agate Focal, Zebra Agate Beads, Freshwater Pearls, Kitty Clasp, Metal Spacers,
Black Onyx & Crystal Quartz chips

And here's what I made....


...a gorgeous bracelet consisting of zebra jasper rounds, metal spacers, jade coins and the exquisite zebra jasper focal all rounded off with the kitty clasp


One of the stipulations of the Bead Soup was to use the clasp received, as the bar of the clasp didn't fit through the loop of the kitty I had to use my initiative slightly...I used the kitty part as another focal and added the bar, along with another jade coin, as a dangle....rules adhered to, drama avoided!! ;o)


As well as the above soup, I also received the following in my soup stash

Reclaimed pieces: locket, cameo earring, pieces from vintage San Marino bracelet, Amethyst Donut, Milky glass teardrop beads {pink}, Handmade lampwork beads {turquoise}, Crystal quartz beads, Spacer beads {purple & turquoise}, Flower s-clasp, Reclaimed pieces: swallow, feather, vintage charms from Paris bracelet, Silver-plated chain

I only used a fraction of the overall soup Cassandra had sent me....I have SO much to play with over the next few weeks and can't wait to keep creating soup for your enjoyment!!

Pop on over to my partner Cassandra at Design by Cassandra and see what gorgeous-ness she has created using the beads I sent to her, she has teased me with these images and I can't wait for her BIG reveal!!

Soup 1

Soup 2

Before you see what the rest of the 209 participants have created, I wanted to say a HUGE thanks to Lori Anderson for the mammoth task she undertook...I know it was a pleasure for her {program glitches put aside} and that she is already preparing for the next soup {scroll to the bottom of this post} later in the year!!  To add to this awesome feat, Lori has been offered a book deal on this particular bead soup....fantastic reward for a fantastic lady!!

I also have to thank Cassandra, my partner in this soup, for being such a gem with the promotion of both our soups....it has been MUCH appreciated given everything that in happening in my personal life right now...

THANK YOU CASSANDRA!!!

Check back for details of the GIVEAWAY of my Bead Soup!!

So, no more waffling......come see what the rest of us made! 

91.  Sue Hodgkinson, hello gorgeous *** You Are Here!***
92.  Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Bead 
93.  Nally Parfyonova, Nally's Creations 
94.  Karyn White, Releases By Rufydoof  
95. Emanda Johnson, Artemisia Studio 
96.  Sandy Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box
97.  Cindy Dolezal,  Cindy Dolezal Designs 
98.  Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue
99. Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads
100.  Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings

101.  Nicole Valentine-Rimmer, N. Valentine Studio
102.  Jacinta Meyers, Jamberrysong's Creations 
103.  Charlene Gary, Gray Girl Studios
104.  Rubiee Hayes, Glitter and Keys Galore
105.  Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations
106.  Elizabeth Freeman, Turquoise Sky
107.  Shelby Foxwell, Sundown Bead Designs Rhetoric
108.  Lynda Moseley, Diva Designs
109.  Grace Danel,  Grace Beading
110.  Lois Moon, Que Onda Quitman

111.  Agnes Shapiro, Beader Bubbe 
112.  Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo 
113.  Judy Glende, Judith B. Designs
114.  Mary Ellen Parker, Bee Tree By Me
115. Barbara Bechtel, Second Surf
116.  Charlene Sevier, The Bead Dreamer
117. Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles 
118.  Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie 
119.  Ronda Adams, The Ravished Heart 
120.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe Designs 

121. Anna Lear, The Laughing Raven 
122. Susie Hibdon, Vintagesusie & Wings  
123.  Amanda Austin, Sea Shore Glass 
124.  Jennifer Velasquez, Jen Judd Rocks 
125.  Hazel Ward, All Those Things 
126.  Brenda Salzano, Salzanos 
127.  Dee Gordon, Runako Designs by Dee 
128.  Anna Denisova, Anita-M 
129.  Margaret Saari, Mags-Jewelry
130.  Genea Crivello-Knable, Genea Beads 

131.  Penny Neville, Copper Penny
132.  Angela Blasingame, Hopemore
133. Helena Fritz, Beadwork by H's Blog
134. Stephanie LaRose, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder
135. Stephanie Haussler, PixyBug Designs
136. Diane Cook, Rosa & Josies  
137.  Maryse Thillens, Glass Bead Art
138.  Jennifer Pride, Jewelry by J.P.
139.  Shannon Chomanczuk, For My Sweet Daughter
140.  Lisa Godfrey, Bead Happy

141.  Heather Pyle, Welcome to My  Muse
142.  Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings
143.  Liz DeLuca, Creative Arty Facts
144.  Sig Wynne-Evans, Beaded Bear's Nonsense
145.  Loretta Carstensen, Loretta's Boutique
146.  Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads 
147.  Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul 
148.  Shelly Graves, Stars Dance With Me  
149.  Jess Italia Lincoln, Vintaj Blog 
150. JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

151.  Carrie Tahquechi, Carrie T
152.  Staci Smith, Staci Louise Originals
153.  Katarzyna Kwiatkowska, Quiet Area 
154.  Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs
155. Magdalena Sikora, Poranna Gazeta
156.  Nicole Keller, Nicki's Reef
157.  Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye
158.  Noemi Baena, Fire, Metal, and Color 
159. Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman 
 160.  Barbara Blaszczyk, Labotorium Flory

161.  Collette Collins, Firefly Myst
162.  Carola Greiser, Polymer Clay Shed
163.  Joanna Kopijczuk, Bizuteria z Filcu
164. LeAnn Weih, Summers Studio 
165.  Cassandra Watsham, Design by Cassandra
166. Anna Motz, Stunning
167.  Shea Zukowski, Gr8findings
168.  Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
169.  Lisa Boucher, Lisa's Clay Happenings
170.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope

171.  Alison Crenshaw, Beads by Earth Tones
172.  Dorcas Midkiff, Wondrous Strange Designs 
173.  Melissa Rediger, Sea of Glass 
174.  Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre  
176.  Menka Gupta, Menka's Blog
177. Patsy Evins, Patsy Evins Studio
178.  Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
179.  Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux
180.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me

181.  Lyn Foley, Lyn Foley Wearable Art
182. Tara Plote, The Newbie Beader's Blog
183. Natalie Schuetz, Natalie S Perlen 
184. Kim Hutchinson, Running on Ink
185. Haley Frank, Wide Eyed Smilin 
186. Grace Caputo, Suddenly Last Summer
187. Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp, Skye Jewels 
188. Erin Siegel, Erin Siegel Jewelry 
189.  Janea McDonald, Organized Chaos 
190.  Kristi Evenson, Colie Bug & Co.

191.  Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry
192.  Hilary Frye, FryeStyle
193. Whitney Lassini, Whitney Lassini
194. Nancy Schindler, The Rabbit Muse
195. Pam Brisse, The Blue Between
196. Beth Bricker, Vintage Sweets
197.  Ruthie Stickney, Rose Works Jewelry and Gifts
198.  Rose Noble, Lady Noble Designs
199. Karen Williams, Baublicious 
200.  Claire Maunsell, The Next Bend

201.  Christine Damm, Stories They Tell
202.  Kerry Bogert, Kab's Creative Concepts
203.  Wendy Blum, Sand & Sea Designs
204.  Juli Cannon, Julsbeads
205.  Jenny Robledo, La Dona Boutique
206.  Krista French, French Elegant Jewelry
207.  Pam Krinski, Ewa Beads
208.  Melissa Meman, Melissa Meman, Art, Life, Love
209.  Dana Jones, Dana's Jewelry
210.  Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2. Kitty Durmaj, Perles and Life 
3.  Michelle Heim, Life In the Bead Lane 
4.  Lisa Petrillo, Lucid Moon Studio
5.  Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations
6.  Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
7.  Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
8.  Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe
9.  Heidi Post, Ex Post Facto
10.  Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio

11.  Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
12.  Rachel Walsh, Balanced Crafts
13.  Marian Hertzog, M's Place
14.  Mary McGraw, MK's Musings
15.  Sarabeth Burke, Chronicles of Sarita
16.  Deci Worland, Gem Trails 
17.  Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found
18.  Laura Zeiner, Stick Lizard Designs
19.  Kristin Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs
20.  Cathryn Brooks-Williams, Chile Cats

21.  Holly Westfall, Silver Rose Designs
22.  Janna Harttgen, Palima-Lim 
23.  Libby Leuchtman, Libby Leu
24.  Rebecca Anderson, Songbeads
25.  Deb Hunter, Living On Air
26.  Diana Ptaszynski, Suburban Girl Studio
27.  Jennifer VanBenschoten, VanBeads 
28.  Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
29.  Cyndi Lavin, Beading Arts
30.  Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul

31.  Stefanie Teufel, Stefanie's Sammelsurium
32.  Patricia Gasparino, My Life Under the Bus
33.  Tari Khars, Pearl and Pebble
34.  Kristi Bowman-Gruel, Kristi Bowman Design
35.  Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle
36.  Becky Fairclough, Chameleons Designs
37.  Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead & Metal Works
38. Lynne Bowland, Islandgirl's Insights
39.  Barbara Lewis, Painting With Fire
40.  Lorelei Eurto, Inside the Studio

41.  Stacy Hartis, Sissy & Jack's
42.  Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions
43.  Marcie Abney, La Bella Joya 
44.  Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations
45.  Nan Emmett, Spirit Rattles 
46.  Melissa Mesara, One Eared Pig  
47.  Amanda Davie, Articulations
48.  Cherin Poovey, Lanyard Lady
49.  Virginia Joste, ViviBijoux
50.  Andrew Thornton, The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

51.  Lori Dorrington, Lori's Glassworks
52.  Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
53.  Kate Gardenghi, Tropical Blonde
54.  Serena Trent, PinkIce Jewel's Blog
55. Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin de Koning
56.  Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
57.  Francy Inman, 8 Second Studio 
58.  Amy Freeland, Copper Diem
59.  Lisa Liddy, Joolz By Lisa
60.  Sandi Lee James,  Do Be Do Bead Do

61.  Mary Harding, Mary Harding Bead Blog 
62.  Stacey Curry, Star Hitched Wagon
63.  Leslie Gidden, Mad Maggie Designs
64.  Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals
65.  Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
66.  Linda Djokic, Lutka and Co.
67.  Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass, and Recycled Trash
68.  Laurel Steven, Rue's Daftique
69.  Ingrid McCue, Wrapped In Silver
70.  Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit

71.  Diana Hawkey, Diana Hawkey
72.  Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas
73.  Jeanette Ryan, Jeanette Blix
74.  Jackie Ryan, Silver Lodge Gems
76.  Debbie Goering, Prairie Emporium 
77.  Valerie Norton, Hot Art 
78.  Jana Trupovniece, Stories of the Secret Garden  
79.  Amy Severino, Amy Beads 
80.  Emma Thomas, Fred Beans Nook

81.  Karen Zanco, Everyday Gypsy
82.  Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
83.  Janet McDonald, Singing Woods
84.  Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Designs
85.  Kristina Johansson, Wild Roses and Blackberries
86.  CJ Bauschka, CJ Bauschka
87.  Angela Barribea, Re: Angela Rae
88. Marcy Lamberson, Studio Marcy
89.  Tanya Floyd, Glass Migrations
90.  Lisa Kavanaugh, Beading Bliss

The next party's sign up begins 1-3 August, 2011
If you love creating, you really don't want to miss it!

hugs
hello gorgeous xxx

Wednesday, 23 February 2011

The Soup is on the Table!

You might have come across a lot of blogs on your blog hopping lately referring to Bead Soup....well, I signed up {for the first time} to take part in this spectacular event hosted by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things. I secretly want this woman to have a "beading world medal"....she SO deserves it for putting in all the hard work of sign up, partnering, contacting, html-ing, creating as well as coping with all the hair-raising moments when things didn't go quite according to plan - truly she is an inspiration! Pop over to her blog and take a look for yourself, you will definitely "get" where I'm coming from ;o)

As it's Wednesday I thought I would show you what's on my bead table.....and as it's Bead Soup reveal day this Saturday (26th) what else would be on my table but Soup!

I was fortunate to be partnered with a gorgeous lady in Canada named Cassandra of Design by Cassandra.  It took me a while to put her Soup together as everytime I looked through my stash I couldn't stop putting things aside for her...I had to keep telling myself  "it's just a focal, a clasp and a few beads... not a whole bead shop!!" ~ the object of the Soup is to send your partner something they wouldn't usually work with, to try and challenge their talents, Cassandra wrote in an email to me:

"Throughout the years of my jewelry-making endeavours, I tend to gravitate towards the 'repurposing' realm; I'll find toys in the dollar store and turn them into pendants, buy jewelry from thrift stores with interesting beads and components and tear them apart; buying store-bought clearance jewelry to ransack its pieces. That won't stop me from taking a trip to my local bead and craft store! I'm inspired by the combination of jewel and earth tones, unique shapes and sizes, textures and materials."
So the gemstones, along with the Sterling Silver clasp I had chosen was definitely opposite to what she regularly worked with.  With the final choices made, an extra "packet" of soup thrown in along with some "special" non-beading additions....the package was sent. 

picture courtesy of Design by Cassandra

All the while I was making up my mind Cassandra was doing exactly the same, and so our parcels crossed mid-atlantic and swiftly landed on our doormats! Yay! SOO exciting!!

Here's the Soup Cassandra received from me:

Soup 1:
{bottom half of above picture}
Rhodonite Rounds 6mm {pink}
Bali Silver Heart Clasp
Fluorite Rainbow Polished Nuggets {purple}
Fancy Jasper Teardrop Focal
Amazonite Faceted Coins 12mm {bluey/green}

Soup 2:
{top half of above picture}
Jade Honey nuggets 7-9 mm
Dyed Agate Rings
Fluorite Polished Rainbow Nuggets {burnt orange}
Turquoise Mosaic 12 mm

And this is what I received from Cassandra:

Soup 1:
Zebra Agate Focal
Zebra Agate Beads
Freshwater Pearls
Kitty Clasp
Metal Spacers
Black Onyx & Crystal Quartz chips

Soup 2:
Reclaimed pieces: locket, cameo earring, pieces from vintage San Marino bracelet
Amethyst Donut
Milky glass teardrop beads {pink]
Handmade lampwork beads {turquoise}
Crystal quartz beads
Spacer beads {purple & turquoise}
Flower s-clasp
Reclaimed pieces: swallow, feather, vintage charms from Paris bracelet
Silver-plated chain

Cassandra has put a few teasers on her blog, Design by Cassandra and I am SERIOUSLY excited to see what she has created....me on the otherhand, need to get my skates on, what with all the running about to different hospitals I have yet to create....but if you come back on Saturday I bet you find something delicious! ;o)

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

Sunday, 20 February 2011

I am hopping....

...through blogs, and facebook and sometimes twitter....digesting everything that life is throwing at all of you....willing myself to have the energy to leave comments, create new blog posts, catch up on facebook and tweet with the twitter-ers but with all the health problems with mum & dad right now my energy levels are zapped!!  
Mum & Dad

They celebrated 53 years of marriage on 15th February!
I love you both with all my heart!

******


I am mindful that the Bead Soup reveal day is fast approaching - 26th February - I promise to keep that commitment even though I haven't been very pro-active in promoting my partner, Design by Cassandra and her amazing bead stash I received...I do feel bad about that and hope she understands the reasons behind this...man, I was SO looking forward to the Soup this time round...I am aiming to post a promo on Wednesday {all being well}, so pop back then for five mins, with a cuppa  of course!  In the meantime, I want to thank Cassandra for her brilliant promoting of our partnership, I can't wait to see her creations :o)


see you Wednesday!

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

Monday, 7 February 2011

I want you to meet...

My Dad!


DAD
: {with the help of mum} gave me life!
: cuddled and nurtured me
:  encouraged my first steps
:  tickled me to death
:  tucked me in at night
:  showed me the right paths
:  guided me through teenage life
:  cut the strings when I turned 18
:  taught me to have an open mind
:  gave me away at my wedding
:  held, and nurtured, my first born, and second and third born
:  always had the right words
:  always had a hand to hold
: always had a "blossoming" money tree!
:  a storyteller
: had a knack of the early morning wake up call!
: a stickler for doing it the right way
: a proper gentleman
: a right softie
: a charmer too
: he was the hug everyone needed
: FULL of love

These are just some of the things I think of when I think of Dad......
There are SO MANY more things but I will be here until infinity listing them

Dad is struggling with life right now.....one he is not going to win
I will MISS him and I will ALWAYS love him
{in the words of Buzz Lightyear}

to infinity and beyond!!

xxxxxxxxxx

Friday, 4 February 2011

Thank Folksy it's Friday!!

This weeks theme is not original for this time of year....but
LOVE
is everywhere, so I have to run with it!







and finally, just because.......


It was SO windy last night, I hope everything is still intact where you are??

Click on the name of each shop to be taken straight to the gorgeous-ness that awaits you...

See ya next Friday!!

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

Thursday, 3 February 2011

Is it just me?

After asking for your opinion, I  have gone with something completely different!  Is it just me....or do you do that too?

Check out the Header above, what do you think? Honest opinions please.....
yeah, right...like I'm gonna listen ;op~

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

Wednesday, 2 February 2011

Tears and Raindrops

I've had a particularly low day today {and the grey skies don't really help}. 
As a result I have been a calorie-laiden, comfort eating naughty girl, whilst nice at the time....I now feel slightly green around the gills!  pah!!

Here are just two of the items I demolished...


whilst watching numerous episodes of Oprah's farewell season....
 

which, when feeling teary, doesn't help...
especially when the shows are filled with inspirational and emotional stories...

BUT
there's an up to this day...
my order of soup has arrived, Bead Soup that is, yay!!!


Hopefully tomorrow will be a brighter day so I can photograph all the ingredients of the soup!!!

want to share!!

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx