Bead Soup Blog Party 2012!
Swap complete
Well, it's that time again! I'm very happy to say that I'm participating in my 2nd official Bead Soup Blog Party! My partner and I are both on the 2nd reveal date of 8/11. The details of what we swapped are below.
My partner this time is Andra Weber a very sweet, generous lady from Georgetown, Delaware. Andra is a multi-talented bead maker, she has delved into lampwork and fusing but mainly works with seed beads. I don't know how anyone can work with those tiny beads, although I am about to find out as Andra sent me some vials of seed beads to go with her beautiful focal. I know I won't be able to accomplish anything near what she did but I'm sure I'll come up with something for those tiny little buggers. This is going to be interesting!
Andra went way beyond generous with her soup package, I think I'll be using the contents for years to come in my jewelry making!
Swap received from Andra
Andra sent her gifts in this adorable little bag, which she said that she thought Cassie, my 18 month old daughter would like a little bag to carry around.
And, like it she did, look at that joyful expression on her face! She's a little wiggle worm lately so it's hard to get a still shot of her.
Inside the package was a card that was made last year by Andra's 98 year old Aunt Edna using one of her own photos. Isn't it pretty?
Here's a shot of the focal that Andra hand embroidered with seed beads. Andra said the seed beading around the focal took her about 5 1/2 hours to do, amazing. Andra also sent a package of assorted carnelian stone beads and both a copper and a silver clasp because she just couldn't decide. Bonus for me since I get to choose which metal tone to use in my creations!
Here's a shot of the entire contents including the extra goodies she sent that weren't meant for the swap but just out of her own generosity! Thank you, Andra!
Swap sent to Andra
Bill and I celebrated our 5th anniversary in June and to celebrate we went on vacation to Cozumel, Mexico.
I like to talk via email to my partner before I make the lampwork focal with them in mind. Since we were in Cozumel when the partners were announced, Andra and I didn't get as much email time as we would have liked but I came home with an idea in mind since she asked me to soak up some extra sunshine for her. That idea turned out to be perfect because in a later email, after I already had the focal made, she told me how much she likes the sea. I made the focal with a tropical theme in mind since I was still day dreaming about our wonderful vacation. Who am I kidding, was still day dreaming..... shoot, I still am!
I also sent her matching lampwork spacers, a fine silver textured clasp that I made, a pair of seashell dangles made by Suburban Girl Studio, some swarovski crystals, sterling silver spacers and coordinating ribbon. The ribbon - Even though I have managed to mangle the ribbon sent to me in my previous swaps, I still love to see it in jewelry designs.
I am on pins and needles waiting for August 11th to see what Andra created. In the meantime, be sure and stop by her blog for a visit: http://andrasjoyfuljourney.blogspot.com/
