It's Bead Soup Time!

Finally, the much awaited Bead Soup Party! It's time to unwrap the results of our creative cooking! I received my bead soup mix from my partner Rose Binoya, and the color scheme was a pretty sky blue with wood brown and gold. I had so many elements to work with and I tried to use as many of the beads as I could.

First, the pair of wooden dragonfly beads, I decided it was to be a pair of earrings. Are dragonflies attracted to hot pink and cool turquoise blue? These sure are! I was determined to add some fabric to my soup creations and found the best place for it in these earrings. A pair of black Onyx rondelles on either end of the wooden bead and dangling from it a turquoise Kristal Wick batik ribbon bead wrapped in hot pink silk. I love it, what about you?

My next creation is my favorite of the lot. I had bought these bright yellow Magnesite carved flower beads with the thought they would come in handy for some fall jewelry. Add some yellow Crazy Lace Agate beads from my stash, a single painted shell coin bead, mixed with the flowered Copper ring and the oval wooden beads that Rose sent me and we have...

Wouldn't this be a great necklace for the fall season? I am happy about how this one turned out.

And finally, last but not least the Summers Studio ceramic focal, the blue melon beads, and brass toggle were all used to create this piece. Lots of Copper wire, some teal and magenta colored freshwater pearls, some rondelles of Aquaterra (also called Sediment) Jasper and some chain and I came up with this...

I got so caught up in all the wire work that when all was done, it was as if I missed the forest because of all the trees. I was left with a feeling of mmm... was this what I wanted to achieve with this necklace... not quite sure. After this weekend, I might get this one back to the drawing board. Would love to hear what you think?

Some alternate views of my bead soup creations.

I meant to make some matching earrings for the two necklaces, but forgot! I will soon.
Lori talks about what you can do with your Bead Soup jewelry, and in the past I have donated my pieces to various causes that we support at my work place. The American Heart Association has its annual Heart Walk in Tampa on November 5th, and I plan to donate the earrings and the yellow necklace for raising funds for this cause.

Thanks for visiting, and for your comments.
Don't forget to visit my Bead Soup Partner Rose and check out her awesome creations with the beads I sent her.

I will see you soon at your blog!

Here are the list of the other beaders taking part in the Bead Soup Party!

You can also find the list of Bead Soup Participants at Lori Anderson's blog, Pretty Things.

or you can click from the list below.

Happy Blog Hopping! Enjoy!

The Hostess, Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke

1. Aimee Wheaton and Barbara York

2. Alice Craddick and Sandra Richardson

3. Alison Sachs and Amy Severino

4. Allison Scott and Cynthia Abner

5. Amanda Cargill Austin and Charlene Sevier

6. Amanda Davie and Patsy Evins

7. Amber Dawn and Kim Ballor

8. Ambra Gostoli and Christine Hansen

9. Amy Freeland and Christine Altmiller

10. Ana Krepel-Novak and Eleanor Snare

Having a good time!

11. Andrea Morici and Hope Smitherman

12. Andrea Trank and Jayne Capps

13. Andrea Turini and Charlene Jacka

14. Angela May and Emanda Johnson

15. Anitra Gordy and Elizabeth Owens Dwy

16. Ann Rishell and Debbie Price

17. Ann Sherwood and Lynne Bowland

18. Anna Lear and Barbe Saint John

19. Anna Sabina­­­­ and Erin Siegel

19. Nan Emmett and Erin Siegel

20. Astrid Boyce and Birgitta Lejonklou

Enjoying yourself!

21. B.R. Kuhlman and Deanna Chase

22. Barbara Bechtel and Bryna Lumb

23. Barbara Blaszczyk and DaviniaDesign

24. Barbara Judy and Holly Westfall

25. Barbara Lewis and Cathie Carroll

26. Barrie Edwards and Lyn Foley

27. Becky Fairclough and Jana Tarhala

28. Bella Borgouise and Gillian Lehman

29. Beth and Evie McCord and Erin Prais-Hintz

30. Beth Bricker and Heather Pyle

Are you full yet? You better not be!

31. Beth Emery and Cassie Donlen

32. Bobbie Rafferty and Cindy Cima Edwards

33. Candice McGinnis and Sally Anderson

34. Carol Bradley and Cece Cormier

 35.  Cathy Khoury and Molly Alexander

 36. Carol Tannahill and Hilary Frye

37. Carrie Tahquechi and Cris Peacock

38. Cat Pruitt and Cindy Gimbrone

39. Charlene Gary and Doris Stumpf

40. Charlotte Pevny and Kate Gardenghi

Beads are the Best! Bead Soup even Better!

41. Cherrie Fick and Cathie Carroll

41. Claire Maunsell and Cherrie Fick

42. Cheryl Roe and Jenny Vidberg

43. Chris White and Norma Turvey

44. Christa Murphy and Kathy Alderfer

45. Christie Murrow and Dana James

46. Christina Miles and Collette Collins

47. Christine Brandel and Elizabeth Woodford

48. Christine Damm and Cynthia Deis

49. Christine Hendrickson and Debbie Goering

50. Christine Stonefield and Dee Wingrove-Smith

Wow! What great designs!

51. Cilla Watkins and Johanna Rhodes

52. Cindy Wimmer and Riki Schumacher

53. CJ Baushka and Cory Celaya

54. Courtney Breul and Joanna Matuszczyk

55. Cristi Clothier and Kathleen Robinson Young

56. Cryss Thain and Serena Trent

57. Cynthia Tucker and Kitty Durmaj

58. Dana Johnson Jones and Eva Sherman

59. Davinia Algeri and Janet McDonald

60. Deci Worland and Lara Lutrick

Have you had your Wheaties today?

61. Diana Ptaszynski and Kristy Abner

62. Diane Cook and Kerry Bogert

63. Diane Hawkey and Jen Judd Velasquez

64. Dorcas Midkiff and Jill Harris

65. Doris Radlicki and Heather Goldsmith

66. Dot Lewallen and Gaea Cannaday

67. Elisabeth Auld and Jennifer Justman

68. Erin Fickert-Rowland and Geanina Grigore

69. Erin Grant and Julie Jones

70. Eszter Czibulyas and Helena Fritz

What awesome jewelry! What awesome designers!

71. Fiona Christie and Michelle Heim

72. Gail Zwang and Genea Crivello-Knable

73. Geneva Collins and Jana Haag

74. Gretchen Nation and Heidi Post

75. Heather DeSimone and Karin Slaton

76. Heather Marley and Terry Carter

77. Ingrid McCue and Jennifer Pride

78. Jackie Ryan and Nicole Keller

79. Janna Harttgen and Joanne Tinley

80. Jean Yates and Lori Anderson

Are we there yet?

81. Jelveh Jaferian and Jenny Davies-Reazor

82. Jenni Connolly and Jennifer Heynen

83. Jennifer Cameron and Kristi Bowman

84. Jennifer Geldard and Lisa Liddy

85. Jennifer VanBenschoten and Kim Hora

86. Jess Italia Lincoln and Lori Greenberg

87. Jill MacKay and Lori Bergmann

88. JJ Jacobs and Karen Tremblay

89. Joyce Becker and Kathy Welsh

90. Judy Glende and Karen Sinkowski

You are halfway there!

91. Judy Riley and Kelly Morgan

92. JuLee Wolfe and Julie Bean

93. Julianna Cannon and Julianna Kis

94. Julie Nordine and Lesley Watt

95. K. Hutchinson and Shea Zukowski

96. Karen Firnberg and Karyn Bonfiglio

97. Karen Williams and Kimberly Roberts

98. Karen Zanco and Polly Barker

99. Kari Carrigan and Laura Twiford

100. Karin von Hoeren and Laura Blanck

Not Tired, only Inspired!

101. Kate Richbourg and Lorelei Eurto

102. Kathleen Lange Klik and Maria Clark

103. Kathy Engstrom and Keri Lee Sereika

104. Kay Thomerson and Loretta Carstensen

105. Kelley Fogle and Laurel Bielec

106. Kelly Ramstack and Sally Anderson

107. Kim Stevens and Tiffany Long

108. Kristi Harrison and Mandy Williamson

109. Kristi Kyle and Lana Kinney

110. Kristina Johansson and Sue Hodgkinson

Did you even imagine?

111. Kym Hunter and Laura Sanger

112. Laura Zeiner and Susan Kennedy

113. Laurel Steven and Mary McGraw

114. Laurie Hanna and Lisa Boucher

115. Lesley Weir and Liz DeLuca

116. Linda Djokic and Tracey Weiser

117. Linda Inhelder and Pam Brisse

118. Linda Landig and Lori Dorrington

119. Linda Murphy and Lisa Hamilton

119.  Line Labrecque and Marianne Baxter

120. Lisa Lodge and Monica Johnson

Take a break!

121. Lois Moon and Melissa Muir

122. Lola Surwillo and Therese Frank

123. Lori Bowring Michaud and Marci Brooks

124. Lupe Meter and Norma Agron

125. Maggie Towne and Marge Beebe

126. Malin de Koning and Susie Hibdon

127. Mallory Hoffman and Shirley Moore

128. Marcie Abney and Patty Miller

129. Marcy Lamberson and Melissa Clarke

130. Margot Potter and Suzann Sladcik Wilson

Lori Anderson take a bow!

131. Maria Grimes and Wendy Blum

132. Maria Horvath and Melinda Orr

133. Maria Rosa Sharrow and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp

134. Marian Hertzog and Melissa Mesara

135. Marianna Boylan and Sandi Lee James

136. Marina Dobrynina and Michaela Pabeschitz

137. Marsha Neal and Miri Agassi

138. Mary Ellen Parker and Melissa Meman

139. Mary Elliott and Tamara Soper

140. Mary McGraw and Laurel Steven

Lori Anderson, you did one awesome job!

141. Melissa Pynn and Michelle Buettner

142. Michelle Hardy and Niki Meiners

143. Michelle Mach and Moira McEvoy

144. Missy Rappaport and Mags Sarri

145. Molly Alexander and Poranna

146. Mylene Hillam and Nicole Rennell

147. Nadezhda Parfyonova and Stacey Curry

148. Nan Emmett and Nancy Peterson

149. Nancy Boylan and Natalie McKenna

150. Natalie Monkivitch and Niky Sayers

Lori Anderson, I just don't know how you did it!

151. Natasha Lutes and Pam Ferrari

152. Noemi Baena and Penny Ilagan

153. Pamela Petry and Rebecca Sirevaag

154. Pat Haight and Mary Shannon Hicks

155. Patty Gasparino and Vonna Maslanka

156. Penny Neville and Sandi Volpe

157. Pepita Bos and Wendy Chamberlain

158. Raida Disbrow and Rebecca Watkins

159. Rebecca Anderson and Sabrina Staub

160. Regina Santerre and Rose Binoya (Me and My Partner!)

Thank you, Lori!

161. Rhea Freitag and Tari Kahrs

162. Rochelle Brisson and Teri Baskett

163. Sally Russick and Tracy Bell

164. Sandra McGriff and Shay Williams

165. Sandra Wolberg and Sara Hardin

166. Sarah Elder and Salla Small

167. Saskia Kaffenberger and Sharon Gardner

168. Sharon Palac and Shannon Chomanczuk

169. Shay Stone and Suzette Bentley

170. Shiraz Biggie and Tammy Powley

For introducing us to 362 wonderful people!

171. Staci Smith and Tracy Stillman

172. Stacie Stamper and Tracy Martin

173. Stefanie Teufel and Vicky Taylor

174. Stephanie Dixon and Stephanie LaRosa

175. Stephanie Haussler and Valerie Norton

176. Suzanne Tate and Terri Wlaschin

177. Sweet Freedom Designs and Tammy Jones

178. Tania Spivey and Tari Sasser

179. Tara Plote and Terry Matuszyk

180. Terri Gauthier and Deana Hager

181. Theresa Fosdick and Tracey Nanstad

For a wonderful experience!

Hope I am one of the lucky 200 you choose next year!

Whoops!

And I thought I had it all together... I had timed my Bead Soup Post, though somewhat incomplete, to post at 1 minute after midnight on 9/16/2011, duh! not 9/17/2011. So if you were at your blog between 12.01 am and 4.48 am EST on 9/16/2011 you might have had a taste... of my soup.

I think I got it right this time and I hope to see you tomorrow....

Here's a list of all those participating!

Meet Rose, My Bead Soup Partner

I would like to introduce you to Rose Binoya, (aka Ahtee or big sister) a lover of all things pretty! Rose is my partner for my fourth Bead Soup Party Swap, and take a look at the goodies I received from her. I love the dragonfly theme and the colors, and the possibilities! I have not been able to get these beads off my mind since the day I received them. 

The beads came with a lovely handmade card, printed from a hand carved linoleum block with bright sky blue ink. Rose has more of these delightful cards for sale in her Etsy shop.

The focal is a ceramic round in a gorgeous shade of blue from Summers Studio, another big fan of dragonflies. Along with this are two adorable rectangular dragonfly beads. The copper toggle is delicate and decorated, and take a look at the copper rings...love the detail on the rings, flowers on one side and leaves on the other. My bead mix are in glorious shades of blue and brown and gold... Thank you, Rose, I hope you like the soup mix I sent you. 

Check out Rose's Etsy shop, my favorite - the delicate bead and wire wrapped earrings.

The Space Necklace

Did you hear about the photograph taken by the Hubble Space Telescope of bling in outer space?

The Necklace Nebula is located 15,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagitta (the Arrow). This composite image was taken on July 2, 2011 by the Hubble Space Telescope's Wide Field Camera 3.
CREDIT: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) 

You can read about this amazing photograph of the Necklace Nebula at Space.com or at NASA.gov.

I heard about it from my husband Mike, who is always looking for articles and items (in this world and beyond) related to jewelry that he thinks will interest me.
Enjoy your Sunday!

You are invited!

It is Party Time!

Don't forget to sign up!

Follow this to sign up!

Calling all Dog Lovers!

No, not just dog lovers, this is a story that will make everyone smile.... 

Read all about George, the world's biggest and tallest gentle giant!  Weighing in at 18 stone! A stone is 14 pounds, that's 252 lbs of dog!

Have a great weekend!

Here's What's New at Sundancegems!

Sundancegems is the name of my jewelry shop/brand.
And it has nothing to do with the other more famous Sundance.
I remember working on setting up my website in November of 2004 and coming up with a name while sitting at the computer. Why Sundancegems? It's the name of the subdivision I live in and I love working with gemstones. It's that simple.

I thought I would show you some of my latest additions to the shop.

Turquoise Kebabs

A Grizzly Bear in the Forest

Mookaite Bangle

So, what do you think? 

Happy Wednesday!

Regina

Inspired by Nature - Birds!

Heathers Powers of Humblebeads fame is celebrating her soon to be released new book 'Jewelry Designs from Nature'. Congratulations, Heather! And she has invited the beading community to join her in her celebration with some challenges to create by drawing inspiration from Nature.

I thought I would join in and here is my answer to her week 2 challenge.

I made the bird's nest following a tutorial from Beadaholique.com. Baby steps.....

Rectangular beads of Sodalite depict the cloudy blue sky and lime green chalk turquoise the tree that provides the nesting site for the swooping swallow. I used blue corundum beads for the three eggs in the nest.

Heather is also asking fellow beaders to join her on a creative journey and is organizing a bead retreat as part of the book release celebrations. It is sure to be a lot of fun and I wish I could go. It would be nice to meet fellow beaders and bloggers! If you pre-order a signed copy of here book, she will include a beautiful lentil bead that is featured on the cover of the book.

A bird nest was also the inspiration for the necklace 'Fly' made by Tropical Blonde, check it out, love the feather! To see all the other challenge entries hop on over here.

Happy 235th Birthday America!

Have a Safe and Happy Celebration!