This is Ranger - Coton de Tulear, 2 years old in July, 2013.  He just made puppies this week and they will be available for viewing, purchase, in the December timeframe from:

www.estrellamountaincotons.com

Third Reveal - Bead Soup

Greetings BS travellers.  Scroll down to see what I got from my very generous partner Karla Morgan .  Since I'm a very busy pet sitter I chose the last date, and got started on my project early, and it's a good thing as I would have run out of time.  I would have liked to use all of her fabulous beads, but alas my dogs require my attention.  Lots of future design possibilities with the leftovers.

My first idea flopped - right out of the gate with a mistake.  I wanted to do a wire wrapped frame around the gorgeous focal (jasper or agate) I chose to use.  My wire cracked/chipped the top drilled hole in the corner so I cut it off and had to start over.  I decided to use the Tiger Eye chips and "sew" them using fine Softflex beading wire twice. This idea totally covered up the crack and actually gave me more symmetry  and seemed to tie things together more. I sewed the chips to cover the top once around the front and then again around  the back.  Where there's a will.... (usually ) there's a way.  I really like the way it turned out too.  My 2nd mistake was in editing pictures.  Can't believe I spelled neclace wrong - please substitute necklace.  duh

I'm always amazed at what detail people come up with.  I'm kind of a simple gal and prefer varied textures, colors and shapes.  Here's my finished piece and I love it at 18" long, just perfect for me.
I used Karlas focal and clasp in this neclace plus some of her chips, quartz squares and Tiger Eye rectangles. The back neck beads are a very cool and colorful seed bead that I just love, had on hand and were the perfect finish complementing the colors so well.   I live in Arizona so these reds really speak to me.

Bracelet:  Karla sent me 6 beautiful  oval 15cm jasper rocks and it just so happened that I had some very similar smaller faceted beads that worked great to compliment.  My copper Tierra Cast toggle really pulled these shapes togther.  I followed the theme somewhat with 10mm Quartz faceted rounds sandwitched with 18 mini copper wire wrapped beadies.  Different sizes, colors and shapes helped thrill me even more.  It's the little things, right?  My copper balls helped the wire spin and swirl around the softflex. Feels great on the wrist.

Everybody loves earrings, and I'm one of those nuts that like to sorta match.  Enough leftovers in this soup to whip up 2 pairs to be worn whenever the mood strikes me.  Shall I wear a single drop (matching the big beads in the bracelet) or shall I go for the triple whammie..... hmmmmm. you decide.

Today I wore my necklace in to Kohls, and the checker complimented me on my necklace.  Was so nice to thank her and tell her I made it myself.   Enjoy the rest of your BS journey.  Thank you so much Karla, I love my new wearables.

I'm So Excited.....

Can't show you what I made (yet), but can tell you that I finished my SOUP yesterday.  Mum's the word on what I made, what I used, but stay tuned.  Come on back on  April 13th to see what's cookin'.  I'm pleased.  Still have more beads and will try to work up something else if I can spare the time.  I didn't want to let my partner down, so got right on it.

Keep cooking, Chefs..... - BEAD SOUP CHEFS, THAT IS.

thejoyfulgem - Joyce

Beads from Karla for BEAD SOUP 2013

ooooooeeeeee, lookeeeee lookeee.  this is what I got in my soup from my partner Karla from Texas.
I love everything.  Now, the tough part is to figure out what to do first.  This is always my biggest challenge, not having that natural creative gene.  Thank you Karla - I love it all.

Bead Soup.....time is ticking

For now, please start making up your soup

with these rules in mind.....

500 people, 3 different groups and reveal dates, and some minor rules.  I sent my stuff to my partner, Karla in Texas, and she sent and I received my packet of wonderful beads.  I will be photographing what I received and post it here.   Here were our requirements of what we were to send. (the rules)
We are each supposed to challenge ourselves to make something, using the focal bead and a clasp, not necessarily in the same piece.  It does not have to be jewelry, although this is a beading group.  So we are off to the races.   Thank you Karla for my wonderful bowl of soup!

 :: One focal ::

 ::  One special clasp (not a lobster claw) ::
::  Some coordinating beads (no need to send a million) ::
No religious items -- crosses, Buddhas, goddesses, etc.

No political items.

No naked bits of bodies (yup, it's happened.)
No cabochons unless you're sending to a seed beader.

Please do not show what you are planning to send 

until after your partner has received it.

You can also join the www.BeadSoupCafe.com 

to join in the chat and the excitement

and get tips and tricks from veteran Soupers.

  

Thank you and stay tuned!

It's Soup time, Bead Soup, that is....

Bead Soup #3 for me, and I'm really excited about it.  For me it's more about meeting new people in other parts of the world.  My partner for this year is (drum roll  ththththththththtthboom).

Karla Morgan from TEXAS.

We both signed up for the last reveal because we are both so danged busy with lots of things planned right between now and reveal date.  I was on the fence about weather I should even do it this year, but at the last minute, decided I really wanted to join again, as it was so fun the last 2 years  (this is my 3rd in a row)

So, with that said, I almost had to drop out.  New computer, new email address, and new frustrations trying to access my BLOG (and I just got new business cards, and didn't want to start over again!)  Called in the big guns (the dh) and got it all sorted out.  whew.  Now I can focus on the project.  Both of us are behind the gun on getting our beads out, but we are in agreement on that too. Good thing.  I'd hate to upset my partner.  Hey, I've just met another new beading buddy.

So, enjoy the journey, don't be too hard on yourself, go at your own pace, listen to the music, and you'll enjoy the SOUP.  These are my takeaways from the last 2 I've done.  Chill out - like Fred....

Later soupers.  

We are dog sitting a Golden Retriever this weekend - my cat isn't thrilled.

January Card Club - Stampin Up is fun!

I just love making these.  Have more, but they aren't photographed yet.  Mailed all my cute little Valentines day cards out already.  Happy VD tomorrow, everyone.  Love your honey!

Card Club January 2013 - fun and colorful