Free Stuff!

Want some free stuff? Follow the link to Lori Anderson's site, Pretty Things and do what it says... who doesn't love free stuff?

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     Okay, I know I'm supposed to be feverishly working on my Bead Soup Blog Hop project, especially considering the fact that I'm in the first reveal. But I had to stop and put up a post to show you all the most amazing bead sets that arrived in the mail today!

     This first set came from Indian Creek Art Glass (etsy.com/shop.outwest) and are the most incredible set of matte finished lampwork I've seen in a long time. Orange, black and blue with a bit of cream - so nice and the texture on the beads is unique - I can't wait to start a project with them. I've already got several things in mind.

   The second set was made by Mermaid Glass (etsy.com/shop.mermaidglass) the flowers feel so light and delicate, playful and fun -like nothing I've ever worked with . The green and purple spacers were lucky finds for other projects that I'm already working on.

     AND - to top it all off, I picked up the latest issue of Easy Wire - I can hardly contain my excitement now - I have amazing beads and a magazine full of inspiring ideas by some of my absolute favorite artists!!

A Little Excitement

In the next week or so, check out the new issue of 101 Bracelets Necklaces and Earrings .... it's a great issue that focuses on color. The whole issue is broken into different color categories - really great for a bit of inspiration. Pay attention when you get to the Blues -- one of mine is in there! It's always exciting to see your own work published! There's also a nifty article by Lorelei Eurto on designing everyday jewelry - lots of great ideas, and who doesn't need some great ideas??? Get yourself one and cop a squat in the shade!

Soup Arrives!

Don't you just love to open the mail and find something shiny and sparkly waiting for you? Just makes me squirm with excitement! Shake the box.... not much.... time to rip and shred!!

What a great load of STUFF! How I love orange! Lots of things in here that I've never worked with so I'm thrilled to be trying something new. Already I'm perking along, visualizing different ways to use all of the sparkly elements. Don't touch that dial! We'll be back with further updates on the Bead Soup Project!

Bead Soup Teaser

Okay, so I spent all evening looking at my beads trying to decide what to send to my partner, Jessica Dickens. Gak! this is so much harder then I expected! At one point I had made five (no, really) piles. Talk about OCD - lined 'em up by color, size, shape, material. Send a few? Send many? Send big? Send small? Send all organic? Send the wild & crazy colors? Who knows? I start surveying my friends and family... "If you got this in the mail, would you be happy?".... none of them are speaking to me now.

It's ok... I worked it out.... I think.

So here's a fuzzy teaser, cause I don't want any of you to see until Jessica has seen them.... but I will tell you, I love the colors, and the mood ~ enough for now! My next post will be clearer!!

Meeting My Partner

Jessica Dickens

Jessica Dickens is my partner for the current Bead Soup. We haven't even shipped beads yet, but I've already had to learn something new. I now have a Tumblr account and am following Jessica's blog. Anybody else have a Tumblr account? Send me your feed and I'll follow you too!

I'm excited to be working with Jessica - her style is completely different then mine so it should be really interesting to see not only what shows up in the mail but what we manage to make!

Stay tuned for more bead updates!

Soup's On!

Gearing up for the newest Bead Soup ~ I've already started planning which beads to send. Should I send beads that I've been unsuccessfully trying to use? Do I send something I love but haven't been inspired to use? Something earthy? Colorful? Jewel tones? Gak! The choices are endless! What I do know is that I'm excited about sending, receiving and creating something in such a fun cooperative effort!

Watch for updates as we take this fun, creative journey!!