Bead Soup Blog Party 2012! Swap complete.

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/ 



And the winner is.......

I'm just a few hours late....... sorry for the delay!


There were 15 comments and using the true random number generator on random.org, the winner of the jewelry set is #10! 

The 10th commenter was Creative Arty Facts!  Congratulations Liz!  I will be in contact shortly for your mailing address.

This giveaway was a ton of fun!

Collective Creative Canape Reveal and Giveaway

COLLECTIVE CREATIVE CANAPE

April 1, 2012 Reveal

 Hello again!  Today is the big reveal date for the small bead swap that Keri Sereika of Pink Lemonade organized for a group of fellow beaders. 

If you remember from past blog posts, I was paired with Linda Younkman of Lindy's Designs.  Linda sent me this lovely assortment of bead goodies:

Here is what I came up with after a lot of arranging and rearranging, sketching ideas, wire wrapping, alterations causing breakage (cursing), and stringing..... whew, I'm done!

Here's the necklace.  You'll notice that the focal leaf is missing it's backdrop.  Well, being the kind of person who can't leave well enough alone, I decided I didn't want to have it hang as pictured above.  I decided to drill two more holes in it and have the leaf hanging from the long side.  All was well until I then decided I that the focal didn't have enough weight to it to keep it from flipping over so I drilled another hole to hang the matching lampwork bead I made from the bottom.  Guess what happened? 

Yup, it broke.

All is well, I actually like what I wound up doing better!  Below you'll see the lampwork bead I created after receiving the package from Linda knowing that I wanted to use it somewhere in one of the pieces.

A better shot of the pendant:

Bracelet:

Earrings:

I really like the mis-matched wire colors in all the pieces, a little bit of gold, a little bit of copper and a little bit of brass too!  Doesn't the messy (on purpose) wire wrapping in the earrings remind you of wild vines in nature?  Speaking of mis-matched, did you notice what I did with the clasps for the necklace and bracelet?

Don't forget to visit my partner's blog Lindy's Designs to see what she created with the goodies I sent:

~~GIVEAWAY~~

Winner to be drawn, Monday, April 9, 2012

I had originally planned on doing the giveaway for one of the pieces I created.  But, since these all go so well together, I just can't stand to orphan any of them.  So, the giveaway will now be for the ENTIRE set, necklace, bracelet AND earrings. 

All you have to do to have a chance at winning is leave a comment below, say anything you wish, keeping it pg rated of course.  You can also share this on your facebook page for an extra entry!  Leave a separate comment for the extra entry. 

On Monday, April 9, 2012, I will take the number of comments to random.org and have a number drawn.  That person will win the entire set.  Everyone can enter!

Make sure I have a way to contact you for your mailing address, otherwise I won't be able to send these beauties to you.

COLLECTIVE CREATIVE CANAPE PARTICIPANTS

~GO VISIT AND ENJOY THE OTHER CREATIONS~

Keri Lee Sereika http://www.pinklemonade.typepad.com/

Beth Emery http://www.storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com/

Niki Meiners http://www.nikimeiners.wordpress.com/

Karan Parker http://www.karanskrafts.blogspot.com/

Liz DeLuca http://www.creativeartyfacts.blogspot.com/

Lynne Bowland http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.com/

Judy Turner http://www.silver-rains.blogspot.com/

Erin Grant http://www.erinsjewelrycreations.blogspot.com/

Bryna Lumb http://www.brynasbeadbox.blogspot.com/ ** you are here **

Rochelle Brisson http://www.acreativechelle.blogspot.com/
Linda Younkman http://www.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com/  ** my lovely partner **

Carmen Lau http://www.littlemake.blogspot.com/

Cheryl Foiles http://www.getyourbeadon.com/

Kelli Jacobson http://www.creativemoonjewelryandthings.com/

Elena Gianni http://www.ilmondodipucci.blogspot.com/

Tania Hagen http://www.pelimadesign.blogspot.co.nz/

Cindy Muse http://www.cindyshandworkcrafts.blogspot.com/

Stephanie Woods http://www.skwds.blogspot.com/

Lisa Lodge http://www.pineridgetreasures.blogspot.com/



Bead Swap 2012 Received

Hi!  Just a quick update with the fun swap elements sent to me by Linda Younkman!  I am just falling in love with these swaps!  Linda sent me a ton of goodies.  I'm going to be able to create several pieces from the beauties that she sent.  Thank you Linda for your generosity!  I love the colors, they are right up my alley!

Here are the goodies I received:

Check out Linda's Blog to see a clear picture of what I sent her.

And, don't forget, the reveal will be on April 1st - come back to see what I create and be part of my giveaway!

Happy beading,

Love & hugs,

Bryna

Bead swap 2012 - beads into jewelry and a giveaway annoucement

Hello!  The time has come again for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party which has a reveal date of March 3rd.  Unfortunately, I wasn't one of the lucky 200 that got picked in the lottery this time.  But, the swapping continues anyway!  There is a group of non-participating jewelry makers who arranged an informal swap and I get to be part of that!  

Our packages must be in the mail to our partners by March 1st and our reveal will be the first week of April. 

My partner this time is Linda Younkman and her creation will be revealed on her blog located here (click the hyperlink to be directed to her blog) also the first week of April.  If you go to Linda's Etsy storefront you will see her talent shines through in the jewelry she makes.  I'm very excited to see what Linda does with the package of goodies I am sending her.

As a teaser, here is a pixelated photo of what I am putting in the mail tomorrow.

I will post again when I receive the goodies that are on their way to me from Linda. 

Now, the giveaway announcement! I have decided to do something different with my bead swap this time.  I will have a giveaway of one of the pieces I make with this swap.  All you have to do is comment on the blog revealing the piece(s) and you will be entered into a random drawing using random.org to win the piece.  The entry period will last for one week following the reveal date.  I will mail the piece to the winner so make sure I have your email address to contact you!

Happy beading........

Bead Soup Blog Party - REVEAL DAY!!!!

Remember, the bead soup blog party's purpose is to get a person out of their normal comfort zone using items they normally wouldn't. 

The participants have to have a blog.  They are carefully paired up by Lori Anderson of Lori Anderson Designs - who has spent countless hours and a ton of energy on this blog party.  THANK YOU LORI!  Once paired up, each partner sends a focal bead, a clasp (not just a lobster clasp) and some coordinating beads to create their new masterpiece(s).

This was my first BSBP and I was so lucky to be paired up with my new friend Barbara Bechtel of Second Surf.  Here's a recap of the bead soup I received from Barbara:

Here is the bead soup I sent to Barbara - go see http://www.secondsurf.com/ to see her masterpiece!

Bead Soup Blog Party Participants 

There are 362 participants in this fun blog party - go check out all the

wonderful creations using the link above.

AND NOW THE BIG REVEAL!

I actually made three pieces with the soup that Barbara sent to me.  I'm sure you saw the beautiful lace Barbara sent in the picture above.  Unfortunately I mangled it trying to incorporate it into one of my pieces.  :o(  I've never worked with lace before and it just wasn't my "cup of tea soup" this time. 

The rules of the BSBP are that we must use the focal and the clasp, using the extra beads is optional.  My goal was to use all of the little pretties that Barbara sent to me.  I came pretty close to my goal with the exception of the lace.

I am very proud of the pieces below - I hope you enjoy!

I used the majority of the extra beads along with the clasp in this necklace.  I made the chain using copper wire that I formed into jump rings and then antiqued.  The necklace is a choker length.

The extra beads went into this sweet little pair of earrings with my handmade ear wires - great match for the above necklace!

Last, but definitely not least, is the focal piece that Barbara sent me.  It's such a beautiful pendant that I didn't want it to get lost in the jumble of beads in the first necklace.  So, I paired the feather pendant with the ceramic piece and hung them on a simple silk cord necklace. 

Isn't it beautiful?

Here's the picture of all the pieces in one place

Now, off I go to look at 361 other blogs and all the creations!

Bead Soup Blog Party Participants

Click above to hop the blogs with me!

Thank you Barbara for making my first bead soup a great experience! 

I look forward to a long friendship!

Come visit me at:

Etsy Shop

My Facebook

Or email me at bryna.lumb@gmail.com



Bead Soup Ingredients

Ohhhhhhhhh excitement once again!

I received my bead soup ingredients from Barbara Bechtel in the mail last week.

What a lovely assortment!

The assortment is in a Fall color scheme, how perfect for the upcoming season.



The purpose of the Bead Soup Blog Party is to get yourself out of your "normal" comfort zone of jewelry making.  This is definitely going to be a challenge for me since I'm pretty much used to making mostly wine toppers and earrings.

Here are my ingredients (pictures below):

• Lovely lace trim
• Peacock pearls and czech faceted glass
• Ceramic Raku Focal from Suburban Girl Studios
• Czech glass leaves and flowers
• Antique Indian Coin Toggle from Miss Fickle Media
• Boro glass spacers from Seashore Glass
• Feather pendant from Barbara!

(Thanks for the list Barbara, I wouldn't have been able to figure all this out without it!)

Barbara's feather pendant up close and personal - isn't it GORGEOUS?

AND, here's a very special gift from Barbara that's not part of the BSBP - I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE with this wing!

What a great reminder that you have the potential to do your best every day!

Thank you Barbara for such a wonderful assortment and for the special gift!

You can visit Barbara here:

Blog

Webstore

Etsy shop

~STAY TUNED~

~To see what I make~

~The big reveal day for the BSBP is September 17th!~

My first Bead Soup partner!

Whew, what a weekend! 

I saw "The Help" with my mom and my friends Donna & Betsy on Saturday - Hello, GREAT MOVIE.  I loved the book and have been on pins and needles for the movie to come out.  I was very impressed at how well the actors portrayed the characters in the book and how well the movie followed the actual book.  Five star recommendation to read the book and go see the movie!

After celebrating my parent's birthdays (happy birthday Mom & Dad!) and with the kiddo out for the night, I finally have time to introduce you to my first Bead Soup partner, Barbara Bechtel of Second Surf. 

I'm SO excited to be working with Barbara, she's very nice and since this is her third time participating in the Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by the tireless Lori of Lori Anderson Designs, she's been very helpful in walking this newbie through her first "Soup" experience. 

Barbara is from Merritt Island Florida and is a jewelry designer who makes her own beads, mostly out of polymer clay.  Barbara's beads and jewelry are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! 

Here are just a few of my favorites, let me tell you, it was hard to choose just a few.



Isn't her work gorgeous?  Seeing her work inspires me to continue my journey of learning polymer clay media.  I can not wait to see what she sends to me for my bead soup!

On a related note, I was severely disappointed when Barbara told me that she and her shop are about five and a half hours away from where Bill, myself and several girlfriends will be vacationing soon.  I was so hoping to be able to visit in person! 

I sent Barbara's bead soup off this weekend, I'm a nervous wreck hoping I chose the right collection to send to her after changing my mind countless times. 

Here is a teaser of what Barbara will be receiving next week, photo is skewed to keep it a secret until Barbara is ready to reveal her bead soup package after she receives it.  I was even mean enough to change the photo to a sepia tone so as not to give away the color scheme either.  Hee hee hee. 

What I can say is that Barbara will be receiving a lampwork focal, some lampwork accent beads and a sterling silver clasp all handmade by me along with some other accent beads that I didn't have the talent to make, someone or some machine, made. 

I will be sure to post my bead soup after it's received and of course what I make out of it on September 17th, the big reveal day. 

Be sure to visit Barbara at the following locations:

Etsy

Webstore

Blog

~STAY TUNED~

Bead Soup Blog Party!

BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY!

I'M VERY EXCITED TO BE A FIRST TIME PARTICIPANT IN THIS EXCITING PARTY!

Stay tuned for the bead soup I send and the bead soup that I receive.

Can't wait to see all the pretty's that are created!!!!

Bead Soup Sign-up

Whew! Finally took Etsy shop off vacation

Well, that was a LONG vacation!  I decided to take some time off of the Etsy shop with the birth of our baby girl in December.  It's been so hot here in St. Louis that my torching time consists of precious stolen moments when the hubby is here to watch our sweet girl. 

Here are just a few of the new items I have listed in my Etsy shop - thanks for browsing and spreading the word if you're able.  The link is below each picture. 

Grapevine wine topper

Another topper

Beach themed bottle opener